Requirements

A Better Way is
inclusive

You probably qualify if...

You are 21 or older
You are single or have lived with your partner for at least 2 years
All members of your household are interested in caring for a child
No one in your home has had a DUI within the past five years
Adults in your home will obtain criminal & child abuse clearances & a TB test
You have sufficient income to cover a child’s basic needs until you are reimbursed
You have enough space. Everyone must sleep in a bedroom & age-appropriate bed.
No bedroom may be a pass through to another room.
No more than two children may use/sleep in one bedroom.
Children over the age of two may not share a bedroom with an adult.
Children under eight years old may share a room, regardless of their birth sex.
You have a reliable car and clean driving record

Have all children in your home (including biological children) immunized
Maintain UL listed smoke detectors & carbon monoxide detectors in hallway(s) & each sleeping area
Keep weapons and ammunition locked in separate locations
If you have barred windows, also have breakaway bars on at least one window in each bedroom
Ensure any body of water at your home is inaccessible & has a safety feature (e.g. enclosure, pool cover)
Keep medicine in your home (over the counter & prescription) locked up
Keep all hazardous items inaccessible and all poisons locked up
Agree not to use corporal punishment on any child (e.g.: spanking, shoving, hitting w/ hand or belt, pinching, pulling hair, denying meals, etc.)
Provide care and supervision to meet specified needs of a child placed with you
Keep no more than 3 indoor pets that are child friendly, have current shots, & a license
Maintain a smoke-free environment (home, property, and car)

A Better Way
Permanency Program
3200 Adeline street
Berkeley, CA 94703
(Walking distance from Ashby BART)
(510) 601-0203