[stephbix]

We are in Central California and are with a private agency. We chose the private agency route for many of the same reasons that others have mentioned. Another great aspect of private agencies is they can usually get children from counties other than your own. Our two boys adopted from fostercare came from another county. We have had children from 4 different counties in our home. With a county home you will only get children from your area and if you live in a rural area like us, it's nice to know you can go across county lines for placements. You may have to do some transporting to and from visits and the such but even with the different counties, our longest visit was only 25 min away.

As for training, our agency requires 12 hours a year and they provide the training for you (at no cost). Our county requires 40 hours a year (and your cost). Our agency also pays for all our fingerprinting, CPR/First Aid and also for anyone who will do respite for us. This saturday they are also having a huge end of summer party at a local waterpark for the families. They do a few things like this during the year and that is cool too (no cost to us).

I would also suggest taking a look at different agencies and also the county. You will get a feel of what their vision is and if your needs can be fullfilled by them. I would also suggest talking to some of their foster families if they will provide you with that information.

~Steph~