[yogamama]

What is the difference between fostering through a private agency vs dss? Any advantages or disadvantages to either?

yogamama

[yogamama]

Any thoughts? I'd really like to start making calls today.

[CaddoRose]

Usually you have more instant support if you go with an agency because they are smaller and you can develop a relationship with a CW at an agency who is not likely to get up and leave. In my experience(Texas), CPS told everyone at an informational meeting to choose an agency because it would be faster to the license this way(many other reasons too). With our agency, they know me well, I can call anytime and actually talk to my CW.

I also have a great relationship with my local CPS office and everyone there has been very supportive and available too. The big problem with CPS is that there seems to be a higher turnover of CW's due to the work load.

[jphollen]

I like private agencies for a couple reasons (applies to my area of course) turn over seems to be less, available funds for "extras" (summer camp, horseback riding lessons, etc) seems to be greater and easier to get, not so much red tape...at our state agency you have to go through several supervisors to get an answer and wait forever. The private agencies we have dealt with it's usually just the cw and his/her supervisor. The private agencies in this area tend to help more with transportation issues too. While they are grateful when we can do transportation to therapy and things like that they lend a hand whenever possible...it helps.

The only con I can think of for private agencies is sometimes they don't have as many kids in care as the state does. They rotate next on the list here but if the placement is after hours it goes to the state agency.

[chevyjewel]

I always hate this question because it seems to pit one over the other...

I only have experience with our county agency so I'll only comment on that. So far they have been great in the nearly 3 years that we've been with them. The case workers for all 11 children have been attentive, knowledgable, caring and just all around stellar. They have been wonderfully greatful for our service and seem to genuinely love our family and the kids they help. They've also made themselves available to us 24/7 from the get go and we could have assistance here in a heartbeat if we needed it.

Our DOC rates are phenomenal compared to some of what I've seen here around the board and our foster kiddos recieve all the services that they need and that we want for them. There is nothing they go without.


I truely believe it's hit and miss either way you go. Some state agencies are great, some are not so great and some are horrible, just like some private agencies are great, some are not so great and some are horrible. If I were you I'd get in touch with a few in your area and talk with other foster parents affiliated with them specifically. That'll give you a more accurate picture of what you would come to expect if you signed on with one of them. We can all tell you our experiences here but what matters is how the parents fostering for the agencies in your area feel about how things have gone for them. See what they say and make your decision from there. Any decent state or private agency would be more than willing to let you meet with or at least talk with some of their other providers.

Best of luck either way you choose!

[yogamama]

How much variation is there from agency to agency? How do you pick one? There are 8 in my area, most do both therapeutic and family foster care. I am interested in family foster care, there is one agency that does only family, might they be better for me?

Would the after hours thing affect me more if I am looking to foster an infant? I have heard lots of stories on these forums of people being able to foster and even adopt an infant with no problem. I do wonder how much this will depend on demand in my area. I'd like to give myself the best chance of getting what I want (wouldn't we all? )

[CaddoRose]

When I started CPS said to pick and agency and I had no idea how to do that! I didn't know what questions to ask or what the difference was between agencies. In our case, I got a referral from a friend a church(also a foster family) who knew a CW at a private agency. When I called, it just seemed like she would be easy to work with and she really cared about us as a foster family. When we went to an info meeting, everything was explained there and we could ask questions.

Some things to consider are if the agency is religious based and if that would preclude you from their program or if you would be comfortable or not. What type of extras do they offer, such as money for summer camps, clothing allowance, travel reimbursement? Do they arrange transportation for visits or is that handled by the local DSS office? How often will they visit you at home? How much paperwork/documentation is required for them?

[chevyjewel]

Originally Posted by yogamama

How much variation is there from agency to agency? How do you pick one? There are 8 in my area, most do both therapeutic and family foster care. I am interested in family foster care, there is one agency that does only family, might they be better for me?

Would the after hours thing affect me more if I am looking to foster an infant? I have heard lots of stories on these forums of people being able to foster and even adopt an infant with no problem. I do wonder how much this will depend on demand in my area. I'd like to give myself the best chance of getting what I want (wouldn't we all? )

I don't think it's a good idea for anyone to dive right into therapeutic care. If you'd like to help kiddos on that level I'd suggest fostering "regular" (for total lack of a better word) kids first. You'll get a good idea then of what you'd be dealing with taking things up a notch. Unless your home could be certified as a facility/treatment center all other agencies will be doing family foster care. That's what foster care is, caring for a child in a family setting.

Out of our 11 kiddos we've never gotten an after hours call, even though we've been available for that if it's needed. Furthermore out of those 11, 5 have been infants (4 newborns, 1-6 month old, 3-2 year olds, 3 older kiddos). It is extremely rare that someone would be able to adopt an infant with no problem. Either way you go there is still a process that needs to be followed and typically that process comes complete with speed bumps that will make you want to pull your hair out.

You are totally right in that the sort of kiddos you get, and when you get them will completely depend on your area and the demand. That's something that can be figured out by simply networking with other foster parents, the agency itself might be able to offer you stats if you ask.

Hope that helps!

I'd say get on the phone and let your fingers do some walkin. Most agencies either way require that you attend an informational meeting before you start the process. Attend at least a few so that'll offer you something to compare to. Gathering info from your immediate surrounding area will be your biggest help!

[jphollen]

Why not try talking to a local foster parent support group or association. They may be able to provide area specific information for you. Questions mentioned by CaddoRose would be excellent to ask.

I am pretty biased. I am currently working with both private and the state. Long story short I have a fd in Residential and those (again in my area) cases go back to the state (DCFS here). So my opinion is based on several instances of working with both sides of the coin.

I hope it works out well for you either way. BTW My experience with infants could be way off, but we have yet to receive a call for one although we would LOVE to someday take one!

Jen