[calimomX3]

I am shaking I am so upset. Our agency sent us a letter saying, they have choosen to not re-certify us due to our dissatifaction with them I am so upset I told you all before I hate this agency.

[DannieAS]

WHAT????!!!!!! WHY???!!!!!! the questionnaires are supposed to help them improve...and how can they do that without honesty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm more than willing to take someone out for you

[calimomX3]

I don't even know what to say. I am so hurt and upset over this. I don't know weather to cry, scream or what. I guess I just be the better person and walk away. I just can not believe you can tell a foster family you do not want to re-certify them because of the disatifaction they expressed in a fax and that they have expressed in the past. I dont get it. Oh well!

[calimomX3]

Wow for all the support I had I was surprised to see only one response to this post.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by calimomX3

Wow for all the support I had I was surprised to see only one response to this post.

people get busy. friday afternoons and through the weekends are not typically high posting times. so we still support you even if it takes us some time to respond. i believe it. i believe your agency did that to you, because from everything i've heard you "say" they don't really seem like a stellar on top of it kind of agency. i've said before "move on." there's probably a reason they don't get very many placements in an area SWIMMING with placements. i am still frustrated for you. i know how badly you want to foster...and i wish there were a way for your family to "go county" i think you'd be surprised how fast and how often your phone would ring.

[calimomX3]

right now I feel unsure of it all. I feel like I was slapped in the face.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by calimomX3

right now I feel unsure of it all. I feel like I was slapped in the face.

i know

[DannieAS]

Originally Posted by calimomX3

Wow for all the support I had I was surprised to see only one response to this post.

You know, I tried to get on on Friday evening to check out different forums and I couldn't get on...so I don't know if it was the site or just my computer (although I was able to go to other sites)....

[A.lil.one]

Originally Posted by DannieAS

You know, I tried to get on on Friday evening to check out different forums and I couldn't get on...so I don't know if it was the site or just my computer (although I was able to go to other sites)....

The same thing happened to me also....

CalimomX3---I'm sorry to hear what happened to you. I wish you the best.

[mamachell]

Calimom,

Sounds like you may have better luck working directly with the county. I'm with an agency that I do like but, if I had it to do over again, I would go with the county directly. I keep hearing they place with their own families first. Plus, if your agency was as unprofessional with DCFS as they were with you then I can understand why DCFS may not call them with many placements.

I also think it's becoming a matter of money where placements are coming from (since I believe families through FFAs receive more money). That could also be the reason for the slow down in placements. I know our agency seems to have received a lot less calls this past year.

Good luck

[Binny]

I have been having problems with this site too. I am sorry to hear this. I hope you are able to find another option.

[calimomX3]

thanks girls!

[takingtheplunge]

I didn't post support earlier, but I think it's probably for the best for both you and them. I don't mean that in a mean way.

Agencies make money from the county placing difficult cases. If the case was highly likely TPR and the baby or young was relatively okay, the county has plenty of waiting homes to choose from. When TPR status is very questionable -- likely R/U and/or the child has a lot of problems, is older, or part of a large sib group, then the county has to reply on it's "foster only" homes as many adoptive homes might pass.

We really need more foster homes as many children are r/u'd, and we need more adoptive homes for sib groups and older kids.

When the county is short on foster homes, the county has to pay a higher price to private agencies to place these cases. Since the case was hard to place, these homes get a higher stipend, and the agencies make money off it, too.

That said, agencies paint a pretty picture that if you, the foster home, are caring for the child, you will get first pick if the child needs adopted. This is pretty true (some exceptions). However, most will be reunited or placed w/ relatives. I think I read that 75% are r/u'd. Some parents won't follow case plans and there won't be any relatives, and then the foster home will get lucky if they want to adopt.

Again, the county has a waiting list of people signed with them that will grab up the young babies that TPR seems eminent. The county cannot predict the future, but when they do placements, they can tell you status of relative search, past incidences, etc. I think agencies sometimes conveniently leave out details (in my observation from watching a colleage's case), details that might make the average adoptive couple pass on a baby that might soon be r/u'd or go to relatives.

So far, your agencey placed you with two, and both failed. They cannot predict the next one will be better unless rights are already terminated (which is possible, but not likely that a county home won't jump on that). So it's likely that the next one will fail too because they get hard to place cases. Yes, you could get lucky, but do you think they want to hear you be upset again if it fails?

You pointed out their poor communication, etc. And, you have every right to be mad; it seems like they strung you along. But really it makes no difference. They have tried to serve you twice, and it just didn't work out. YOU DESERVE more and want more; they are not right for you. If they recertified you, they would have to pay their SW's to do another homestudy. They probably feel it would be waisting their money because you would ask too many q's and turn down the next placement because of uncertainties. Remember, they really are out to make money. They aren't non-profit.

So, go with the county. They are the original source and operate not-for-profit.

Don't waste your passion lamenting over them.