[readyfor1]

Hello Ladies. I posted this on the "what's it like" board, but this is probably the more appropriate board to do so. I just want to introduce myself and get to know all of you ladies.

I am 24 and dh is 25. I have thought about fostering off and on for a while now and I sent off for more info in our state just today. I am excited at the prospect of being able to help some children who have had some really rough times. I would like to provide them a loving, nurturing, safe enviorment to come home to (at least for a while).

I am anxious to get to know you ladies.

Becky

[WhoKnew]

Hi Becky, and welcome. Sorry you haven't gotten any response tyet...we are generally a pretty 'welcoming' bunch of ladies and gentlemen (plenty of dads here, too ). That is wonderful that you are considering fostering. We adopted our daughter at age 4 from foster care. You will find tons of information here to help you prepare. You might want to start reading up on attachment. Some excellent books are Attaching in Adoption (Deborah Gray) and Parenting the Hurt Child (Keck and Kupecky). Good luck to you!

Christine

[twinflana]

Welcome and good luck. Do you know what age group you want to foster? What state are you in? Are you looking to foster to adopt or just foster?

I have been a foster parent since March 06 and have had 8 placements so far. I foster 0-3 but did have a 41/2yr old once because he had a 2yr old brother.

The children can be very enjoyable but sometimes the red tape with the system can be frustrating. But to me it is worth it when one of them call you Mommy or give you a kiss for the first time.

[originalmvc]

Hi, I am brand new to this site and this is my first post. I want to foster but am confused with all the private agencies and what the differences between them are. Then you could also go through the county. I live in California and want to foster only (for now) I am looking for one or two girls ages 12 and up. Any suggestions as to what to ask? I filled out my paperwork for the county but they require classes that don't start again until January. I have an appointment with one agency but don't even know what to ask? Any ideas on what questions I should ask. Then there is another agency whose office is right next door to where I work but they only have informational meetings once a month. I am scheduled there for the first Saturday in November. This seems like a confusing time but I am sure that the end result will be worth taking all the necessary steps.

Any info would be great.

[WhoKnew]

We went through the County, but our intention was to adopt. First step was the orientation, then application, then classes, then homestudy, then placement . Our county had orientations twice a month, but once a month is not bad. I guess some areas only do them once a quarter. I know for people wanting to adopt, that in general the private agencies will have 'arder to place' children that the counties were unable to place. Not sure if that applies to 'strictly foster' as well. I do believe the private agencies give (I hate to say 'pay') a higher monthly amount per child.

I know that once you decide to do this, you are eager to get things going. Good luck!

[EmmaLeigh2882]

welcome ! Its wonderful that you are willing to foster, I have to give all foster parents sooooooo much credit- they have the ability to love unconditionally and eventually let go! Its amazing, I am in awe of each and ever foster parent out there who is so selfless! I only wish I had that ability- Im a horder myself- I want to keep each child I care for all to myself forever!

I cant give too much advice myself, I am new to the CPS adoption process, though it turns out my "adoption" children are now just foster...

I just really wanted to welcome and encourage you!

[vernellinnj]

Welcome and good luck. It can be a heartbreaking journey but I find it to be very worthwhile...even with the pain.

The children I have fostered have been a blessing.

[FosterSurroBirthMom]

Welcome My husband and I just took our 3rd class (there are 4 total here) our last class is Saturday the 28th...we are very excited...we are going through DHS, we however ran into a couple who were going through child and family services and they showed us alot of information so I already have a call into them and we will see come monday what we want to do after talking with child & family services, good luck and you are doing a wonderful thing, these children need us!!!