[swiftde]

I'm in El Paso county and from what I've heard, I think El Paso county is very different from all other counties in the State. Because a child was killed in foster care due to an abusive foster parent, El Paso county is much more strict than others. For example, I have a placement from El Paso county, and I have to report every single bruise, my agency requires a critical incident report but not agencies require that, but every bruise must be reported, also any cut or scrape longer than one inch must be reported. I believe El Paso county is much more reunification oriented, the want most kids to go back to their parents. My neighbor is also licensed with El Paso county, but she gets placements from Denver area, and doesn't have near the requirements with her kids as I do. I'm also not sure about other counties, but last I knew you can't be licensed thru El Paso county, but must go thru an agency.

[Lulu_Colorado]

Hi there, I'm in the same boat as you, and also in the Springs! Sorry I'm not much help, but I look forward to hearing about how everything goes for you as you continue through the process. We will be fostering through the Griffith Center/Chins Up. I'm interesting in seeing how long it takes you to get placed. Anyway, take care and have a great weekend!

[Ethans_Mom]

Good to see even more CO folks here! Let's keep this going and see if there are others!!

I'm not clear on the guidelines for talking about what agencies we use, but I know it's OK to PM info. If anyone wants info on the agency we're going through in Aurora I'd be happy to share. Just drop me a PM! The agency is strict about one thing - they only work with Christian families. The specific denomination does not matter. Just Christian. It's a new agency (but experienced caseworkers) so it is harder to find if you don't know where to look.

[CJinCO]

Hello,

I live in Douglas County but we were licensed through Arapahoe County last Sept. for two children 0-8 years old. We are foster to adopt but we're open to foster only too. Arapahoe County has also merged with Jefferson County.

Here's our journey thus far....
Our placements came quickly! We did respite care for two toddlers right away for a week. We also met and were being considered for a brother and sister (4 & 8 yrs old) that were going to TPR but at the last minute the foster parents decided to adopt.

Less than a week after the respite toddlers left we were placed with a 20 month old little girl with whom we fell madly in love with. She went to relatives about four months later. It was heartbreaking and I still miss her so much. Our experience with the bio parents, caseworkers, GAL was very good and I am still in touch with the GAL who lets me know how she is doing.

While we had her we were also placed with an eight year old little boy (from Jefferson County) for about a month. He was tough and not the best match with our eleven year old bio son. We didn't ask him to be removed as they moved him to be with his sister in another foster home. He moved the day before Christmas though and it was hard for him and for us. We sent presents and cards with him :(

Less than a week after our little girl left we were placed with sisters (18 months and 3 months old) from Jefferson County and we've had them for three months now. They are sooo adorable and we would adopt them! Their dad is in jail and their mom is very young. She comes to visits but it will be a question of her stability. We've had a good experience with caseworkers so far (not as good as our first placement but still good).

We've had many calls for placements that we've had to turn down (mostly infants and toddlers) but we've figured out that our family does best with one placement at a time. It seems to me that they are desperate for families in Arapahoe/Jefferson county. Especially for families that aren't limited to foster to adopt only.

They'll give you a list of everything you need to do to your house to get ready. I remember being stressed out about it but it ended up not being a big deal.

I was grateful to a cousin who gave me all of her baby stuff (crib, sheets, changing table, high chair, toys, books). Our first long term placement climbed out of the crib and fell onto the floor the very first night ugh! I was so glad we also had a bed in the room for her that first night!

I didn't mean to write a book! Good luck! The children will come! I don't know why but I had a hard time envisioning that before our first placement lol! But they do and it has been hard at times but so rewarding for our family thus far.

[shycar]

I have been in and out reading all over the place and never noticed these posts before. Silly me. Hello my fellow Co friends. Im through an agency and foster with, Denver, Adams, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Douglas and many other counties. I have adopted from Jefferson and Adams and now working with Denver. Our fd just ru a few months back and after our trip we will open our home again. Nice to meet you all.


Scrapsathome I have met you a couple of time. Did not know it was you until you mentioned your broken leg. I remember you preg with a cast. You were dropping off for visit and I was waiting for my kiddo from a visit. Small world.

[simplebeauty1]

Originally Posted by swiftde

I'm in El Paso county and from what I've heard, I think El Paso county is very different from all other counties in the State. Because a child was killed in foster care due to an abusive foster parent, El Paso county is much more strict than others. For example, I have a placement from El Paso county, and I have to report every single bruise, my agency requires a critical incident report but not agencies require that, but every bruise must be reported, also any cut or scrape longer than one inch must be reported. I believe El Paso county is much more reunification oriented, the want most kids to go back to their parents. My neighbor is also licensed with El Paso county, but she gets placements from Denver area, and doesn't have near the requirements with her kids as I do. I'm also not sure about other counties, but last I knew you can't be licensed thru El Paso county, but must go thru an agency.

That is still true of El Paso County, you must go through a private agency. We are waiting on our license to come through.

[lilboo2326]

Hi I am also in Colorado, In Colorado Springs actually. We are signed with Aprapahoe/Jefferson CO. We have had our baby girl since Dec. She is 14 months and TPR is set for sept. I would love to meet some other families in the area.

[simplebeauty1]

Well we finally got licensed on June 24 and got our first placement on July 24. She is an 8 month old. I would like to know how you can live in one county but get placements through another county.

It's nice to see all these wonderful people in Colorado!


SB

[Scrapsathome]

There are two ways that I know of. If you go through a private agency to get licensed, they may take placements from multiple counties. Or, if all the available beds in one county are full a CW will have to place the child in a neighboring county. We've seen kids who were placed three hours away from here due to lack of space.

Jess