[Robin61]

Everything is done just waiting for the call. cw said we shouldn't have to wait long 7 children came in last week.
How long did it take for your first call?

ROBIN

[mommyto9]

We got our first placement the same day we were licensed.

[punchkin]

We also recieved a placement the same day we were certified. A sibling group.

[hmgbird]

Our license hasn't arrived yet, but we've had 1 respite (2 toddlers), 1 emergency placement (8 days), and another respite coming this weekend that will likely turn into a long-term placement in about 3 weeks.
Our LW has had the paperwork on her desk for over a month. She says she has to do renewals first. I've really got to find a way to get on her case "nicely." At least I was introduced around by a placement worker last week

[kaylasmom]

Our first placement was a distant family member, we went to court the judge said we could have her if we agreed to get our licenes, so we got her that night. Then after we were licensed, we got our first calls the same day. We turned down 3 placements before we accepted our fs.
then when we got an increase, from 2, to 4 children it took 3 weeks to get a call. The day I got my sibling brothers, I got 2 more calls, If you don't get a call, in i'd say 2 week's, call your licening worker and ask for an e-mail to be sent out saying you have openings, thats what I did the day before I got the call for my brothers.
Good luck to you, and have fun on this rollercoater ride




Married 12 years
bio mom to 2
V 11 in June
Z 10 in July
Fostermom to 4
K 6
J 4........going home July 29th
L 4
B 3 in July..................L & B are brothers

[AmyAnne]

Our first placement was close to 10 months after the liscence. But we were only looking at legally free to adopt kids in the foster care system.

[waiting home]

We are on our second agency. Had to go through licensing process twice; once with 1st then when we switched agencies.

It's been 3 months. Got our 1st call the day after receiving license, got ready for her, took time off work, etc. then 2 hours before she was supposed to arrive with cw, we get the call that the other foster mom changed her mind and fc could stay.

I'm getting so frustrated, but the agency says we are on the top of the list. Not that I want families to break up, but I can't believe no one needs us.

We are willing to take school-age kids, emergency, respite, short or long term. So its not that we are too picky. Maybe agencies pick and choose who they will accept when DCFS calls? We are in Chicago (suburbs) for crying out loud, and no placements?

We are licensed for 4 and I have these extra beds, etc. just waiting.

My bio boys had separate bedrooms, but we bunked them up so we could do this (foster care). Now everything just sits and waits, they want to go back to separate rooms since we have no placements.

Very, very frustrated and wondering if this is a sign that its just not meant to be for our family. It's been two years since we started this whole thing.

Sorry, just venting. I look at all the kids on the websites who need homes. Now multiply that by how many are coming into care every day?

I just don't get it and I'm stressing myself out about the whole thing. I'm just becoming very impatient, I guess.

Wish I could give words of encouragement; but we wait.

[tnajk]

We waited about a month! We were finally licensed during the slow time of year. (Or so we've been told) It was Sept. Since then, the calls come steadily when we have an opening.

[PAmomof1]

I got licensed July of 04 and got my first placement 2-05. The waiting was so hard and I was antsy and very impatient. I was away for a conference in December and got a call for siblings

Waiting is hard but I know it's worth it! Just hang in there.

[Navy_RP_Wife]

We have been licensed for a month for foster adopt and at risk adoption. Still no calls. My hubby is in the Navy so we are somewhat used to the "Hurry Up and Wait" routine, but still.. We only got stationed on island in January, applied right away got in classes in February and had everything done but the final home visit by the end of March. We got our license on May 3. I guess I haven't been hounding the worker enough, but the only person's name I have to contact is our licensing worker. Guess I will call her twice a week so that our name stays fresh in the mind, lol! I agree with not wanting families to break up but there are alot of kids in the system here in Hawaii, can't believe there isn't one little girl that matches our family. Any ideas on what to do to make the wait time shorter?

[hubbyswife]

1 week after we were licensed.... then 1 week later we got the 2nd placement, a month later the 2nd placement left and a week later we picked up 3rd placement then 2 wks later the 3rd placement left and almost a month later we picked up 4th placement....

[tybeemarie]

We waited 9 months for our kids. BUT, we could have had a placement as soon as we were licensed, we just turned it down because we felt the kids' needs were beyond our capacity. The same thing happened a few more times--I'd say 3 times--before we got our kids.

As to what to do while you wait--read, read, read! Parenting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck and Regina Kupecky is absolutely essential reading, as is When Love is Not Enough: Parenting the RAD child by Nancy Thomas, Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline, Attaching in Adoption by Deborah Gray, Our Own by Trish Maskew. Also, I'd consider attending the North American Council on Adoptable Children conference in Pittsburg this August to get excellent training that actually deals with the issues foster children bring, and not the ridiculous training that the state provides. In one weekend, you will have 18 hours of training, so you'll be all set license wise.

It would have been nice if I had gotten school supplies ahead of time, rather than running around like a madwoman after we got our placement with 3 hours notice.

I would also use this time to find a good attachment therapist in your area and find out if they take the medical card, if they have a contract with your state's DCFS. Also investigate pediatricians with experience with drug exposed children--your kids will almost certainly have been drug exposed. Good dentists who take the medical card are also not easy to find.

Also, use the time to be fully rested and physically in shape. I started doing the home organization in the FREE service, http://www.flylady.net. It is imperative when fostering to have a presentable house for all the people who come to see you and the kids--workers, investigators, therapists, etc. Plus, it gives the children a visible sign that you are an adult who is in control of her life. I also did savingdinner.com to learn quick, nutritious, affordable dinners to make for my family.

Good luck! The wait is horrendous, and it is so maddening because there really IS a need for good homes.