[emileelou]

hi all! My husband and I reside in New York- long island, and we have completed our MAPP and our homestudy, fingerprints, etc. Our worker said we should be certifed in a couple of weeks. I am curious as to how long the average wait is, and what should I do to prepare in the meantime? We will accept 2-11 years old, mild delays, race not an issue, siblings okay. I am wondering if we are looking at weeks here or months. Our worker really gave us no indication and I am going crazy! Are we so close, but yet so far? Also we are foster to adopt, does that impact the wait at all?

[compelled2bbetter]

I am still in my licensing process in Florida but I was told to expect the placement coordinators to contact me almost immediately after licensing. I was also told that sometimes the placement folks know you are licensed before you do, so you could get a call before you even know you're licensed. Florida does not have the foster to adopt option any longer (although a foster parent could eventually adopt a fc). I am strictly foster so I imagine that would make some sort of difference in wait times.

I am also trying to find productive things to do while I'm in limbo. I expect to be licensed by the end of May at the latest. Mostly, I have been doing little things to get my house organized. I am resisting the urge to buy toys, pack and plays, high chairs, strollers, etc b/c that stuff may not be needed depending on the age of the child.

HTH

[kmac1196]

Something else to help you pass the time....if you have freecycle in your area. I have been stock piling everything that I will need for the ages I'm taking (cribs, pak n plays, high chairs, toys, clothes, whatever). I post what I need and anyone who has what I'm looking for, gets back to me and donates it. I mention that I'm fostering and usually people gather whatever they have. It's freecycle.org and it's in most areas. It keeps you busy and it's free. I do craiglist, too but that costs money. Here's to hoping the time flies!!!

Kristen

Ps...I'm waiting too!!

[Boulderbabe]

The time from licensing to placement is TOTALLY idiosyncratic. Depends on the system, depends on the place, depends on the day! But sooner or later, you'll ge that call!

[Umaasang_mom]

We had to redo my mom's fingerprint 4/9 , completed the 8 week long ( once a week) training on 4/11, got an emergency placement call on 4/12. The licensing worker said " I got your certificate and your fingerprints back and Im ready to issue your license, and I have two girls here " . I just got out of the shower when I got the call and she caught me off guard , I was speechless! I was thinking ..license ??? we havent done our homestudy yet ! I was supposed to asked her questions but all I could say was " Ill call you back, I have to talk with my husband " ! We didnt take the girls as our spare bedroom wasnt ready yet, lots of furnitures but no bed So now Im trying to have that room ready just in case... and yes freecycle is great! just got a bed today...

We are foster to adopt .