[floodcitygirl]

We are totally new to this... don't even know anyone else who does this. We live in a smaller town, and went with a smaller agency. We have 3 classes left to take. I talked to our caseworker today and we have to go meet with he tomorrow for a class (just to go over that agencies policies & procedurse). Our last class is scheduled for February 23. She said even though we aren't done with classes, she wants to schedule a home study. She said they are in despirate need of foster parents. She said since our last class is Feb. 23rd, she's hoping we'll be approved on Feb. 24th. She said she isn't the sole person who approves, they have a committee, but she doesn't see any issues and she was very impressed with how fast we got her all the info. back, etc. This is moving quicker than I expected. We just started the process in January, and she hopes for us to be approved by the end of February. Now we have to boogie to get the room set up for the home visit (lots of moving stuff around). I couldn't have kids of our own, so our goal is foster with hopes of someday adopting. I'm so nervous about all of this! We already have overnight plans our of the state in April, so if we would get a placement before then, I hope they can find someone to do respite care. Okay, I'm just babbling now and really have no point to this other than I'm excited and very nervous all in one!

[BAC4343]

Welcome to the journey!!! I wish you the best. Are you in Western PA? In our area there are many many kids regularly coming into care mainly due to the increasing drug problem in our area. They have built housing for these type of people and are shipping them in from the big cities so our crime has been on the increase and so has the intake of kids into care.

I will tell you that the day we finished all our paperwork we were placed. We had a large class and everyone has had at least one if not multiple placements. In our area foster parents are in great demand, but the turnover is very high due to the mistreatment we receive. Feel free to message me any questions.

[floodcitygirl]

Originally Posted by BAC4343

Welcome to the journey!!! I wish you the best. Are you in Western PA? In our area there are many many kids regularly coming into care mainly due to the increasing drug problem in our area. They have built housing for these type of people and are shipping them in from the big cities so our crime has been on the increase and so has the intake of kids into care.

I will tell you that the day we finished all our paperwork we were placed. We had a large class and everyone has had at least one if not multiple placements. In our area foster parents are in great demand, but the turnover is very high due to the mistreatment we receive. Feel free to message me any questions.

More west central (johnstown). Thank you for your response. Our goal is to foster and hopefully adopt. Wish us luck!

[farmchick]

How exciting! In fact, sometimes people get calls and placements even before the class is over, if the need is great. Two of the people in our class had placements or calls before we were done, and we were told that the homes presently being certified were the only ones in our County that were open, so to expect immediate placements. On the other hand, you should also be aware that hurry up and wait is one of the possibilities - several of our classmates didn't get any placements until months after. So it kind of depends - just one more way this whole thing is a roller-coaster ride. Good luck!

[millie58]

welcome!! Tell the cw when you get a placement that you have plans. It shouldn't be a problem.

[BAC4343]

Originally Posted by floodcitygirl

More west central (johnstown). Thank you for your response. Our goal is to foster and hopefully adopt. Wish us luck!

From what I have heard through our foster support group Johnstown is just a busy as our area. It does seem that if you are willing to take sibling groups you will get placed faster. All the cases we have heard about from your town were sibling groups, but that is because it is harder to find homes for siblings so they are willing to place them a further distance. Will pray for you as you start your journey.

[floodcitygirl]

Thank you all for your kind responses! She did tell me the need in our area was great. She said she'll call me next week to schedule our home visit. Initially we were thinking 1 child (preferably a girl between the ages of 6-13) but she then asked if we would take a younger child if, say, the 6 year old had a younger sibling. We decided we would do that, but they would almost have to be the same sex because we are only setting up 1 extra room. Our house isn't huge. Our goal is foster, hoping to adopt, so I don't really want to jump at anything they first throw at me (like if they offer me something outside of my preferences). Yet I hate to turn them down and then they might not want to call me. UGH!

[floodcitygirl]

And one more thing.... so far in the classes we took (our classes are set up as individual 3-hour classes... they aren't all day sessions), me and my husband were the only new people there. The others were already foster/ adoptive parents. In fact, in our last class, me and my husband were the only 2 there!

[floodcitygirl]

When we met with our caseworker last week, she told us about these twin boys that needed a home. In a nice way, I told her we weren't interested in them. They were twin 2 year old boys. My age range was 7-13!! I did say I'd consider going lower in age, but I didn't think I could handle 2, 2 year olds! She's supposed to call me this week to schedule our home visit, and I know it's only Tuesday, but I haven't heard from her yet and I'm hoping we didn't "upset" her by not showing interested inte twin boys. I worry alot about everything!

[RGV_Foster]

You have every right to say no!! They will not be mad at you and will not hold it against you! The children will benefit more if they are with people who can or are ready to handle that age. Its not easy caring for one two year old, imagine two!!

[floodcitygirl]

Now she called asking if we'd be interested in 2- 3 year olds and a baby. Ugh. Even if I wanted to, my house isnt big enough.

Our home study is Tuesday and she said they only come once. They will inspect house and ask us more questions.I'm nervous!

[Mommyforever]

You are top on her Mind/list and she will try anything to place the children to make it easier all of the way around.

With a chuckle and "not this time" "But we like the ages 7 to 13"
Keep to your plan, a small deviation of say 2 years at the most will make you happier.

Welcome to the wonderful life!

[floodcitygirl]

We had our home visit/interview this evening. We feel it went well. She just looked around the house.... didn't go over everything with a fine tooth comb. And the questions weren't that bad... just more of an elaboration of what were in our bios. We have one more class to take and that's it. We just have to wait to hear if we are approved. She said if we don't hear anything tomorrow or the next day, not to worry... she has to wait until there are enough people actually at the office (supervisors) to get us approved. There is a "committee" that approves, not just her. She said she'll talk to us later this week, so hopefully she'll have an answer for us by then. We just started inquiring about this at the beginning of January, and here we'll be all done by the end of February. That moved along pretty fast.

[WestCoastHappy]

Wow- that's really quick! We started our classes in January and were told it'd probably be August before we completed certification due to the home studies- I guess they're backed up a couple of months to get through those.

It sounds like there's a lot of need where you are!

[floodcitygirl]

We live in a smaller area and they are a smaller agency. That probably helps it move faster. Plus we got all our information back quickly (she was impressed by that... She said that rarely happens)... Took our last class last night, so now we just have to wait to hear if we are approved.