[baw217]

Hello, I am new to the site! My husband and I are about to start the classes on May 27th to become certified. We are hearing mixed stories on whether we should do fostering to better our chances of being able to adopt. Ultimately we want to adopt and would like a sibling group. Any suggestions?

Thanks!!!

[BrandyHagz]

Unless you can support a plan of reunification 100%, then shouldn't foster.

The number one goal of foster care is reuniting children with their parents - if that's not possible, then the state starts to look at other options.

Arizona requires a lot of it's foster parents due to the state of the economy - supervising visits, transportation etc - you should also keep that in mind.

[baw217]

Thank you Brandy, that is very helpful. I am sure I will learn more as we go through the process so that we will know what is best for us!

[BrandyHagz]

Have you decided which agency you're planning to use?

[NeedPinkToComplete]

We went through the adoption training two years ago. I don't think that we were ever considered to be a match for a child. However, because we decided to foster through our county, we are planning to adopt our foster child. We understood that we would more than likely foster several children before a situation for adoption came up. While we were getting approved through the county, they talked to us about fostering a little girl that would be ru with Mom in a very short time. We agreed and went into it being happy that we were helping a family in their time of need. Mom made a 360 and lost interest in her kids! It shocked every worker that had dealt with her. We are getting ready to sign a preadoptive agreement. You just never know how things will go in foster care! So, I recommend it! You just have to KNOW going into it that the plan is ru and support it. If things don't work out with the bios, you will be the first considered if there is a bond there and there is no other family willing. Good luck!

[horselover58]

I think you are headed in the right direction. We became foster parentm and are now sending our homestudy out for adoption of sibling groups in our area. We currently have four beautiful foster children; ages 7, 5, 3, and 22 months. Two of them may become available for adoption, and we would jump at the chance to adopt those two, along with the two of the other children that we are inquiring about. Good luck, keep watching your states photolistings. You can get them at adoptuskids.org