[KaaNai1]

I am still waiting for a Mapp class to open up (I live in NYC) but am doing as much research as possible in the meantime. I am a single working woman, I have no kids and really would like to start my fostering experience with a baby or very young toddler (6 months to 24 months). I just think that it would be easier to control a child that age at first, instead of a preschooler. Maybe after the first placement,I would take an older child. Anyway, I called ACS today to find out about daycare, and I was told that the wait for a baby could be really long. I knew that the majority of kids entering foster care were schoolage, but don't babies come into fostercare regularly as well?

[mckenna]

the oldest (at time of placement) foster child i have every received in my home was 9 m/o. i have many friends that only take children under 2 also and they typically always have a child or two in their home. of course these children are there with permanent goal of reunification with birth parents.

[leenab]

Have you considered moving to NJ? I know quite a few people who have moved from NYC to NJ and become fost/adopt parents. I know sometimes it's not an option. But NJ has a ton of children. You could take the PATH training and have children in your home very quickly through the fost-adopt program if your goal is adoption.
Good Luck,
LeenaB
(NJ has a boarder baby crisis so chances of you getting a child from the hospital are very high (depends upon your requirements though).

[alicia hunter]

I have always been told that it would be a very long time to get a baby, however, when I said that is what I want and I will just wait it has never been more than 2 weeks. They say that to get people to broaden their age range.

[NICKI4NYC]

I was told in the beginning that I should broaden my age range which is birth to 6mos. I did not broaden over 6 mos. At orientation they told me that it may be a while before I have a placement. I do agree that they tell you this so you can broaden your age requirement. But once I stuck to what I said and started Mapp training and turned in all my paperwork. Now my caseworker seems very anxious to get me finished with everything. She did not tell me anything about a baby shortage. There are too many prostitutes and teen moms in my area of NYC. This is sad but these babies will have an opportunity to have a good life without bad memories and abuse. This is what I want to give and I have a crib and bassinet in my room for two babies. My neighbor works for a different agency in NYC as well and she says there are alot of babies in hospitals going straight to foster homes and alot of twins as well. She says that most of the fp that want babies has at least one in there home within a week or two of completing requirements. NYC is a HUGE city. Lots of moms are giving up babies, for many different reasons. Good thing we are here to help.

[KaaNai1]

Thanks all of you for your input. I got a call today from ACS and asked about the babies again and was told that the problem is that often family members will agree to take in babies but not older kids (kinship foster care), so there are more older kids that need homes. I was also told that when babies do come in, often they are accompanied by their siblings, and an attempt is made to place them together.

I will keep telling them that I want an infant. Although in the future, I will probably be willing to take a toddler or maybe even siblings, for my first placement, as a new parent, I want the transition to be as easy as possible for both myself and the child.

[lovetogive]

Hi, I am from Texas. I was certified on 1-12-04, and I have not received my first child, I went through a private agency. I want only the ones over 12, I am able to understand and give this age group, and I feel that I can help them. Not too many people want that age group.
I did adopt three teens who were friends of my children, these children were abused in all ways. Two boys were 14 and the girl was 15, they are all now college age, and wonderful people. It was a hard road to hoe, but is was worth it. i have been divorced since 1980, I have four biological children also, they helped a lot to turn these children around. I adopted them thruogh a private lawyer, and it was easy since the parents were abusive and did not want them, and the children were old enough to testify.
Now I want to give whatever help I can to other teens and preteens.
I will be on here asking a lot of questions I am sure.
God Bless All!!!

[sdwjones]

We were also told that infants were hard to come by, but last October, within 2 months of certification (in TX), we received our son, who was then 3months old, had no siblings and was perfectly healthy.

[lovetogive]

That is wonderful that you got a child. Good luck.

[jessica_e]

I am in TX. Within 5 hours of being licensed we had a 5 day old boy placed with us. Before he went home we had a call for 10 day old twin boys (which we couldn't take because you can't have more than 2 under 18 months in your home here.) When our first baby went home at 3 months, within days we had a 13 month old and a 6 day old placed with us. We still have both of them now, 6 months later.

There are babies out there that need your love and care. Hang in there.

[lovetogive]

hi all, i am so excited. i am getting a 16 years girl on monday 9, 2004. i met her on friday, she is adorable. she has some problems, but we will over come those. all of you pray for us.

thanks, alice