[katie119]

my dh and I just signed the papers to start the process to become foster foster/adopt parent. The lady that came last night was very informative but I am really scared. She made is sound too easy. Not the caring put but the approval part. She said the NJ has a 90 turnaround. I know this is the right desicion for us. Our utimate goal is adoption. Just wanted to intoduce myself and say thank you I have learned alot form all of you.

Thanks
Denise

[jackiesbooks]

Welcome! you will find lots of info here!

[Rocking Mama]

Welcome Denise! You found the best possible support for foster care and adoption on the planet. RM

[Kate1129]

Welcome!!!!

[IowaGirl515]

Originally Posted by katie119

my dh and I just signed the papers to start the process to become foster foster/adopt parent. The lady that came last night was very informative but I am really scared. She made is sound too easy. Not the caring put but the approval part. She said the NJ has a 90 turnaround. I know this is the right desicion for us. Our utimate goal is adoption. Just wanted to intoduce myself and say thank you I have learned alot form all of you.

Thanks
Denise

WELCOME! This forum has been so beneficial to me... even before we decided to go thru the process I read and read and read on this board to make sure we were making the right decision. We are also fostering with the hopes of finding a child we can adopt.

We've been approved but not licensed as of yet... and it was pretty easy. You will have to provide lots of documentation, but nothing surprising considering you'll be caring for children of other people. We actually really enjoyed MAPP classes and learned so much. Couldn't believe it went by so FAST!

Again, welcome and congrats on the decision to start your journey!

[Kerbchek]

Good luck... It's good you found this forum. I too decided to go through the process of becoming a foster parent based on many reasons, but this forum helped answer questions and find question I needed to find answers to. I found out things here that I didn't know that I needed to know (does that make sense?) Anyway... welcome and best of luck!!

[meema]

We started the FC licensing process in December. The last step for us is the home safety inspection, and it is scheduled for tomorrow am. I'm pretty nervous about it. I had been starting to lose some of my excitement because everything seems to be going so slow. Yesterday, there was a foster family appreciation picnic at one of the local parks. It was SO fun to see all the families together. My husband couldn't go because he had to work, my oldest son (24) went with me, it was really a good experience because he has been the least excited about fostering. He doesn't live at home, but we are a very close family and I value his opinion. He has changed his outlook on fostering and even said if he decides to ever have kids, he may adopt instead of having them biologically. We are going to foster infant to three years old. I am going to buy a crib that changes to toddler bed today. I'll write tomorrow and let you know how the inspection goes.

[kenlena]

I am new to this forum and so far I have learned so much. I have 4 biological boys and me and my husband were wanting to adopt a baby because I can't have any more children. It has been very dicouraging because of the cost associated with adoption. I was in foster care as a child and we thought that fostering would be a great thing. any advice as to how to begin the process would be greatly appreciated. You can email me at daimarqx5@yahoo.com
kenlena
mother to
Dai'von 9, Marquis 7, Daiquis 5, Xavier 3

[meema]

You should be able to find info. on fostering if you look at the health and welfare internet site for your state. I live in Idaho and we started the process in December. It seems like it takes a long time. The only thing I am waiting for is the social worker to type up our home study summary and send it to us to sign. I don't know how long that is going to take because the social workers here are so busy that we were actually assigned one from a different area. I was worried about the home study and inspection, but it was no problem at all.
A friend of mine adopted 2 girls through the foster to adopt program. one as a newborn and the other as a toddler. It is the best way to go to avoid paying a lot of money to adopt. She has been very happy with the outcome. We are not looking to adopt, just help out. I know in this area, babies come into the foster system, unfortunately, a lot. I work at 2 of the local hospitals and between the 2, usually at least weekly a baby goes into care. I talked to a family who took the pride classes with us and were licensed in March. They were placed with 2 newborns right away. They are not looking to adopt and both babies went elsewhere, now they have 4 foster kids plus thier own 2 bio kids.
Good luck to you

[leenab]

The easiest part in NJ is getting liscenced. It took us 45 days from classes to liscencing. Then after that it can be a real emotional rollercoaster ride, especially in the fost/adopt program. So far we've had 1 wonderful experience, 1 okay experience and 1 nightmarish experience and we've adopted 2 children. I think trying to have a third was tempting fate, obviously.

Hang in there.

Which county are you in? Your experience will vary greatly based upon county.

[katie119]

Well I just talk to recruiter and we start classes in August. DH is really excited. We are in Gloucester County. I hope this process moves fast. We are hoping to be able to give a child a special Christmas. Any suggestions on what I should do to prepare for a placement? We are looking for birth to 3. I have nothing and not sure what to get any suggestion would be greaty. thanks

[meema]

we are also looking to foster 0 to 3 yrs old. I bought a crib that adjusts into a toddler bed. I am going to get a few small bags of diapers in various sizes. We already have childrens tylenol, baby bath and diaper rash cream, I'm going to have a few unisex outfits on hand. My husband is a police officer and he said that sometimes when the kids are placed, they come with a bag of clothes and sometimes they only have a t-shirt and a soggy diaper on. I want to have everything I might need to get through the first 24 hrs. I am watching at yardsales for a swing and any other misc. baby/toddler items. With our other kids, I used one of those front carriers when they were small, they are easy to find at the second hand baby stores. I was told to not worry about buying a car seat, because H&W sets you up with one if the child doesn't have one, then they give you a voucher to buy a new one, that remains the child's property and goes with them if they are moved.
How exciting that we are starting this new adventure!!!

[luv4more]

I read about it on another forum. It is a group that allows you to post things you want to give away and allow you to take things other people are offering. it's www.freecycle.org and it is super cool! I've already gotten rid of a couple of things just yesterday!
Might find some baby/toddler item for free!!

[MsPoppy]

Hi everyone!!! Im new here also, DH and I are starting Mapp classes today, We are going through a agency that contracts through the state, we are hoping to adopt an older sibling set, girls but we are open to 0-10. Yes freecycle is great!!! Im a freecycler LOL, Ive gotten a set of beds and a treadmill!!! But you can pick up some things for kids and babies tho, go for it!!!! Anyway, we will finish up our Mapp classes on Sept 17th as we are doing them on Saturday, from 9-3:30 wish us luck!!!


Jeannette