[Allieloopy]

I have been with two private agencies in Washtenaw county and both times it took over a year to get licensed. We are foster/adopt but I don't think that makes a difference.

We have been with our current agency for over two years now and have had only one placement. They are putting kids in relative placements and giving more services instead of moving kids out of their homes.

The one child we had moved in with her grandmother who is NOT getting foster care payments. So you can see that money is the motivation. The grandma lives across the street from the parents that the child was removed from. Yeah she's gonna be safe now. They don't consider that the grandma RAISED the parent who can't keep her kids safe. Also all of her adult kids have had kids in care. Sheeze.

Anything you deal with in foster care will probably involve waiting and waiting. You have to be good at calling your workers or whoever is involved and create a presence. If they see you or hear from you at least once a month then you are on their mind and they will pay more attention to you. This will also help get your paperwork faster, the quiet people get pushed back, I speak from experience.

I call every so often just to "check in" and I ask about placements or just how the worker is doing. Any excuse I can use to make a friendly call!
I will also drop paperwork off frequently instead of mailing it, that way I can "chat" with whoever is there.

Actually I am considering moving to the State instead of a private agency, it will be more hassle but maybe more kids too. They go to the State first and then the state will call the private agency if they can't find a home. That's why all the teenagers. Oh and if you take kids older than you want just to help out, remember that you may lose out on younger kids, cause they know you will take the older ones now. We took a few problem cases to help out and missed out on some potential adoptive placements because our "beds were full."
We have to be firm to keep our daughter safe and now we will NOT take anyone older than she is, due to past problems.

Good luck!