[happy2004]

I've had my fc who's 2yrs old since the beginning of oct and everytime I ask them for the medical records and all d's things they tell me that the foster home d came from has them, on top of all that I don't get a voucher for d. I don't think it's fair for my family or d, it's like they don't care, so I told them to come get d and place d into another foster home. do you think this is right? I've spoken to the supervisor about this and nothing happened, this has been going on since oct. please help.

[leastofthese]

I have been in similar situations, when I talk to somebody about a legitimate problem, I expect results. If I don't get them in a reasonably generous time frame, I go to the next higher up person. You said you've been to the supervisor, who is her boss? Likely someone on the regional level.

I would probably call the supervisor again. Tell her you called before. Ask her for the name or phone number of previous fp's and offer to get the things yourself. Or if you don't want to do that, you could ask her if you need to call the regional office to get results.

I have found in my 9 years as a fp that if I really want something done, I can't just make a call & expect it to happen. I have had to go to the office in person, make daily calls to find out "what the status is on X situation?" , etc.

As for moving the child, that only punishes the child. If you are not comfortable with the placement, then you could address it from that aspect, but if all is well otherwise, I would suggest just being a lot more vocal and pro-active. You can't wait for them to do it. They have lots of people breathing down their necks for stuff, if you aren't one of them, they may not get your stuff done.

[happy2004]

thank you so much for your help. I probably will have to get her things myself. thanks again

[lambeausam]

Try another approach - offer to contact the foster parent and make arrangements to pick up the child's belongings. If this doesn't work, call the Ombuds office in Springfield. BTW, what county/agency do you foster with? I foster through DCFS in DuPage.

[lonzygray]

Usually if a child is moved from on fh to another there is a reason...perhaps they were not good fp? You may never get anywhere w/ the fp. What you need to do is find out who the child's physician is. It is really important that a child has an established physician to be able to track any child's health issues. When possible, you should really keep the same physician. They would have the complete medical background and all their medical records to date. I don't know about your state, but I don't think it's legal for fp to have full access to the medical records anyway. I've worked in the medical records field and with the new HEPPA laws, I don't think it's legal. As far as not getting information from your department or agency, I agree that you need to get vocal. Medical issues are nothing to fool around with. As far as the "other things" you speak of wanting to get...I don't know what other things you may be wanting, but you have to remember that these children are not always treated as well as they should be and not all of thier things travel with them from place to place. The most important things you need are a legal document stating that you are the fp and some sort of medical card or the specific place you need to take the child for treatment. Unfortunately, things aren't always fair to fp. Did you have to take classes to be certified as a fp? Our classes really helped in these situations and taught us how to deal with them. If you are ready to give up already, you may want to rethink being a fp at all. Each time something goes wrong, you can't just sent these children away. They have so much to deal with and it's just not fair to the child. Things are not usually very smooth in fcare. Not being fair to your family is something you really need to think about. Many things are not going to seem fair but you should have known this going into being a fp. You will have to learn to be more assertive with your department or agency and let them know what you need but you can't expect them to drop everything just for you. They are so busy and sometimes the more "minor" things aren't taken care of right away because there are more pressing issues or emergency's they have to deal with. If they have to constantly move children from one fhome to another because the fp decide they don't want to deal with the issues, it's makes their job even more difficult. Do I think it's right that you told them to come get the fc? I do if you think you can't deal with the issues...but what it does to that child is WRONG. How would you like to be sent away feeling like nobody wants you or loves you? 2 years old is way too young to understand otherwise. Do I have a solution? I sure do...if the child is sick you take d to your department or agency whild d is sick and demand service! If that's what it takes to have them understand that this is a problem that has to be solved immediately, then I don't see a problem with it. There are different ways to demand something and the nicer you can do it, the better the results! I agree that you need some sort of medical card but to give up so easily is hurtful. Good luck and please, for the sake of everyone involved, think hard about what it is you are doing!

[lambeausam]

Just remembered something else...call the county health department. Ask for the "Healthworks" nurse. Each child in Illinois foster care is registered by the respective agency. The nurse should have some information for you. Additionally, she can furnish any known medical history to you.

[happy2004]

I went to take the garbage out and it's snowing !!! and cold!! hehe. well I got vocal and told d's caseworker that I would like to have her removed and got results. she gave all the information I gave her to her supervisor, her supervisor got in touch with me and now they're sending me copies that I need to know about d. and they're sending me information about the healthworks and the day and time to send her for an evaluation. as far as getting her things from the other fp, forget it, I spoken to her and she never showed up! so I'm taking her shopping again for more clothes, training toys, ect. thank you all again for your help

[lambeausam]

Let's see...yesterday I was helping my son deliver wreaths (Cub Scouts) while wearing a short-sleeved shirt. This morning, I though I was going to freeze to death just getting the trash cans to the curb. This wind definitely has a bite to it!

Glad to hear you made progress with the health information!