[TNfostermom]

I was told that here in TN if you are wanting to foster young children you need to work directly with DCS instead of going through a private agency. The private agencies here only place the children that DCS can't find homes for.

My goal is to eventually adopt as well. If you are not in any rush to do it I would recommend doing straight foster care. I think if you go into it thinking that the bio parents will get the children back and they do go back it would be easier to handle emotionally than if you do foster/adopt and the children go to back to the bios. You also get the chance to see what kind of children you can handle and if the children you have in your home fit with your family.

You get paid for every night that the children spend with you. We have call in days every two weeks. The one thing I didn't know was that it takes a few weeks before you start getting your checks. So you need to be prepared to spend money on the children before DCS gets the money to you. We have had our children for five weeks today and so far I have only gotten one check. I am waiting for the second check. I have already spent more than what the first check was. I should get caught up with this next check. With two of them starting school we have had extra expenses too.