[kidchick]

Hi there, we are just beginning our journey to hopefully becoming Foster parents but it's a little more difficult than we thought. I've looked through many threads on this forum to find my answer so if someone has already asked this I apologize in advance.
I'm just trying to get info on the Mapps class and whether or not we can take it in Hillsborough County even though we reside in Polk County?? I was told by someone at the YMCA that we couldn't but I thought I remembered seeing somewhere on here that a few other people in FL were taking classes in different counties other than where they actually lived. We've been told the Polk County classes are 16 wks instead of 10 so just trying to get some sort of clarification & how I can get info about orientation, class schedule, etc.. From what I can find there's only 1 agency that handles the class here & its been impossible to get info.
If anyone has any info I would be extremely grateful

[ginagee]

Have you looked into heartlandforchildren.org they give classes.

[kidchick]

Thanks for the reply! Yes I have I still haven't heard back from them yet..

[UTbrie]

You can take classes in surrounding counties (in Ohio at least). I am going with a private agency but am taking some classes in a different county than where I live. They give priority to people who live in the county for open spaces in case of a full class. I think they are very cranky about helping pre-foster families in other counties, so that may be why you are getting resistance. I was told by my county that I couldn't take them here since I wouldn't take teenagers. (They said they only needed fosters for teenagers) That is when I went to a private agency and to get more hours I am also taking classes in a neighboring county. The neighboring county was very easy to work with. Just depends on how the county's position is. Hope that helps.