[FirstFriends]

I was wondering if anyone has been licensed in Michigan lately. If so how long did it take once paperwork was submitted? Our journey to become foster parents has been quite a process and our paperwork was finally submitted July 20, 2009. We have not heard anything yet. Does anyone know how much longer we should expect to wait? I have kept in contact with my licensing worker who still hasn't heard anything either. Is there another person I should call?

[timleenettesue]

We have been licensed for six years through our local DHS.

We started with a phone call in Feb. 2003
Classes in April (we deceided to get a license for foster care and a homestudy to adopt)
One was cleared in July the other in September (can't remember which one was first)

We have since fostered 12 and adopted 4.

Hope this helps a little. If you have other questions, please ask.

[FirstFriends]

So your process was already a lot faster than mine. We started in May 2008 and are still waiting...

[timleenettesue]

Are you going with DHS or a private agency?

The whole system is being changed and everything seems to be moving slower for us and our placement, so maybe that is why things are taking so long.

[FirstFriends]

We are going through DHS. I've heard that there is only one intake worker instead of four and that is part of the problem. I just feel like it has taken us so long at this point and I'm trying to figure out how much longer it will be. Initially we were told done by Christmas 2008 and now I am wondering if it will be by Christmas 2009. But I guess it will happen when it is supposed to...

[Ladyday]

We just received our license on Thursday and our paperwork was sent out at the end of May. I think MI is a little slow right now because of the Friday Furlough days for government employees. We were told when our paperwork was sent in that it was taking a minimum of 3-4 months to get licenses.

[FirstFriends]

Originally Posted by Ladyday

We just received our license on Thursday and our paperwork was sent out at the end of May. I think MI is a little slow right now because of the Friday Furlough days for government employees. We were told when our paperwork was sent in that it was taking a minimum of 3-4 months to get licenses.

Thanks...that's what I was trying to find out. When we took our pride training things were different and much faster. I guess it looks like we'll probably still have another month or so to wait. Have you gotten any calls yet?

[Ladyday]

Originally Posted by FirstFriends

Thanks...that's what I was trying to find out. When we took our pride training things were different and much faster. I guess it looks like we'll probably still have another month or so to wait. Have you gotten any calls yet?

Nope, no calls yet.

[FirstFriends]

I got the call today that we are now officially open for placements. The license is in the mail...Now I get to jump each time the phone rings...

[timleenettesue]

Let the fun begin!!!!! Enjoy your new journey!!!

[Ashley-n-D]

odd that it took so long the foster parent recruiter in my county told me that i will be open for placements by christmas assuming everything comes back alright and i go to the pride classes at the end of this month

[FirstFriends]

We were also told we would be open for placements by Christmas (2008) but for one reason or another everything has just now fallen into place. I believe that everything happens for a reason and sit here patiently waiting for the phone to ring. Good luck on your journey. Hope yours is faster than ours was...

[Aunt_2_Mom]

We're still in the process. Starting our Foster Pride classes on Tuesday. The paperwork is turned in but we're expecting it to still take at least another 3 months to finalize. The State doesn't seem to be in much of a hurry these days.