[patticv]

My husband and I are parents to 5 bio children WI. We did foster care for two years (many years ago) through a different county (Monroe) and started again two years ago(Juneau). But despite waiting and hoping, our county keeps children in bio homes rather than go through the hassle of removing them (currently the county has only 6 children in foster care). Anyhow, in two years, we've only done respite two weekends (ended up the same weekend too). I've notified three surrounding counties (Monroe, Vernon, and LaCrosse) of our availability. Two said thanks but they are "in between" directors and someone would contact me when they get set up. The other county hasn't even responded. We continue to wait.
Hate to toot my own horn, but we are a great family. I am a special needs teacher, so I'm a wealth of knowledge. Our own children had ADHD and learning disabilities, so the inservices, conferences, counseling and parenting classes make us authorities on children in general.
Our youngest is a senior this year and turned 18 this week. We decided that we are not ready to stop being actively involved in children's lives. As long as we have a large house, live in the country, and our health and sanity, we figured most of that is due to being involved in a family. Without those kids, we'll probably go crazy or die from boredom.
We NEED those children as much as they need us. But where are they? After seeing our children all home at Thanksgiving and again this week, we know that keeping siblings together is so important and something we can easily do. We want a sibling group of 3 or 4.
Anyhow, we went to the orientation meeting and filled out the interest survey. But the available siblings in WI seems very limited. I've been looking at every other state, but was wondering if there are more links someone can tell me about that we can be going through once our homestudy gets finalized. (I guess that will be 5 or 6 months down the road - maybe years, the way things have gone for us.) Also wondering if certain states stand out as ones to feel good about working with or others that we should steer clear of?
It's so hard to watch the specials coming up about adoption, receive all the mailings on the need for foster and adoptive parenting and believe the issue is lack of available families. We're here, just waiting. Thanks for any points in the right direction.
Patti