[potentialsinglemom]

I started my PRIDE classes today. The coordinator did an overview and saw a video on SIDS and shaken baby syndrome (very sad). So I guess I have officially gotten the process started.

[henderfive]

Good for you......hope it goes by fast from here on....you are doing a wonderful thing.
Henderfive

[CaddoRose]

Congrats. It's so exciting to get started.

[Joei_in_NJ]

congrats we started on Saturday also

[potentialsinglemom]

Thanks guys.

I was impressed by the number of people responding to the radio advertisements for foster parents on minority radio stations. I think my coworker and I were the only two who actually went to a cps informational meeting. I noticed that there were quite a few people over the age of 60. They were actually wanting to foster/adopt teenagers. The coordinators/recruiters who were present were very happy to hear that my coworker and myself were both wanting to open our homes to siblings. They all had big grins on their faces and said they definitely needed us to be certified.

There were two people who in the class who said they were now sure they really to do this. However, one appeared to have OCD and the other appeared to want to supplement her income. There was an elderly fella that I swear is a undercover pedophile. He just seemed so scary, but you know...looks are deceiving.

[potentialsinglemom]

Originally Posted by Joei_in_NJ

congrats we started on Saturday also

Congrats to you too. Wow, you already have a caseworker? I will be turning in my application on Saturday and they will do the background checks next week.

[wantonemore]

Congrats! I did everything kinda backwards... got my social worker first, filled everything out, did the background, fingerprints...

Now waiting till my PRIDE classes start, later this month. My homestudy should be done between now and then... once PRIDE is done I am cleared to be licenced.

Exciting... isn't it?

Congrats again!

[Joei_in_NJ]

us too lol - we actually started 2 years ago - had a recruiter come to our house gave us our info packets and application - but then things didn't fall into place - we had just bought our home, several operations, passing of DH mom, it just wasn't the right time - but since then we have submitted our application, had our first home study- fingerprints done and tomorrow I have my "one on one" with our resource worker oh and we are 50% thru our pride classes

[potentialsinglemom]

On Saturday, we found out the two couples both had caseworkers. All the single people in the classes wondered how that happened. The couples wanted to know how the single people were recruited. The couples did not attendthe informational meeting that was sponsored by the state. Actually, the couples did not attend the first PRIDE classes. Both said they were contacted by their social worker on Tuesday about the Saturday class. It is kinda interesting how we are in the same class but in different areas of the process. I kinda expected seeing that more towards the end of the class.

I think probably for me, I will be the last to complete my package for licensing. I have to get my home together.
I know my co worker who is going through the class with me is wanting to get things done immediately. She wants to have children placed with her by Christmas.

[HopefulInTN]

Glad to see others who are about where we are. We will finish up our PATH classes Thursday night. Then they will start the homestudy portion. We hope to be certified by the end of October or sometime in November.

[potentialsinglemom]

I just came back from class. I officially have three more Saturday's to go. This was my last Tuesday class. This Saturday, we will be hearing the Foster parent testimonies for a couple of hours before we get into out lesson plans.

[potentialsinglemom]

I Have Two More Classes to go!!!!!!!!!!
Now I have to start preparing for the Homestudy. They are in the process of doing the background checks.

We had foster parents testimonies today. They were positive. Very direct and realistic.

[wantonemore]

Ack! I have the homestudy this upcoming wednesday (double? the adopt and also the foster portion? two people are coming.) and I have not yet started my pride classes! Now I am really stressed!

I start my pride classes this thursday, the day AFTER my homestudy. I have the homestudy checklist. I hope I am prepared.

[potentialsinglemom]

You will be okay. From what I learned, they come to your home two or three times. Not everything has to be in place in your home the first time. Good luck girl.

[wantonemore]

Originally Posted by potentialsinglemom

You will be okay. From what I learned, they come to your home two or three times. Not everything has to be in place in your home the first time. Good luck girl.

Awww... thanks girlie! I know I will be a wreck until it is done. Very exciting though, huh? Good luck to you too! It really is nice to have a "buddy" going through it at the same time...

Hugs...

ag