[UTbrie]

Hi All!

I am relatively new to this forum and just had a question for those becoming licensed or those already licensed. I am going through a private Christian foster agency who does mainly kids with levels 2-3. I am about 3/4 way through classes ( I have to take 60 hours since I am single with no kids or major childcare experience beyond babysitting). I am really getting nervous about taking higher level kids, having never been a mom to "normal" kids before. Any thoughts on this? I am thinking about switching to county services, but am really wanting to stay with a Christian agency that is offering WAY more support and services than the county is capable of. What are others thoughts on this?? I am in the heathcare field, so medically needy children would be no problem, but am more worried about behavioural issues. I also have 3 dogs in my house I am concerned about.

ANY INSIGHT would be appreciated...stories, experiences etc. THANKS!!!

[CaddoRose]

The agency we are with seems to do only therapeutic services when you read their website or literature, but that isn't really how it works. If your agency is taking kids directly from CPS when they come into care, then they won't be labeled with levels yet(unless they have been in care before).

Only you can know what you are capable of dealing with. I know for myself that I can handle level 2 medical needs but not extreme needs. I don't take kids on psychotropic drugs, have experienced SA or those with violent history.You have to decide what types of issues you can handle and then let your agency know what your limits are.

[quiescentfury]

I just take it by case by case. Our daughters came to us as level 1s, they left as level 2 and 3, but honestly the one should not be a 3 and they both should be level 2 for minor things easily dealt with.

First girl is a 2 - Severly abused. Low IQ. 2 pts above mental retardation. In a special ed class, but loveable and caring. Needs reminders on hygenine. Blind in one eye and cataracts in the other that need to be removed this summer. Very easy to care for. Also has PTSD

Second girl is a 3 - Mild - Moderately abused. Told SW that before she came into care she tried to smoother herself with a pillow, but nothing since. Has PTSD. Can get straight As if she tried all the time, but gets As and Bs. Plays soft ball and gynastics. Never been in any behavioral trouble in school. Can be verbally mean to her sister and can do teasing. Sometimes over and under reacts to situations. Over all again very easy to parent.

[ladyjubilee]

Originally Posted by UTbrie

Hi All!

I am relatively new to this forum and just had a question for those becoming licensed or those already licensed. I am going through a private Christian foster agency who does mainly kids with levels 2-3. I am about 3/4 way through classes ( I have to take 60 hours since I am single with no kids or major childcare experience beyond babysitting).

Wow, things vary so much between states. Here you are supposed to have at least 6 months experience as a foster parent to apply to be licensed theraputic.

[HopefulInTN]

We are a therapeutic foster home, with a private agency. I have friends who deal with the state exclusively.

If I had it to do over again, I'd go the same route. I have so much more support than the friends who are foster parents for DCS. They are only allowed Level 1 kids, and we are able to accept Level 2 and 3. We have constant support and our friends have to beg for it. We are adopting our level 3 child, and really he's more like a level 1 with level 3 care needed (he's ADHD, PTSD, and sees a therapist weekly).

I wasn't sure that we could handle a level 2 or 3 child, but with the help of the agency, the transition went well, and we have your typical family struggles now. My friend who works with DCS got a sibling group that was supposed to be Level 1 and the teenage girl put her through the ringer. Today, after 6 months of struggling with the child and having their home turned upside down, the girl is in a group home and classified as Level 3. So, really, there's no guarantee that you will get a Level 1 child from the system.