[LoViN_LiFe]

We have been providing kinship care to our great-neice (daughter)for over a year now. TPR has already occured and we have just started the adoption process. DFPS has been really good to work with, all workers very up front with us and gave us all information we needed. Since we have had our daughter we have gotten NO help from the state other then medical care. For ten months we paid day care (approx $100 a week). We bought formula and baby food and now milk and food. We bought all the diapers all the clothes...crib, toddler bed, bottles, bedding, car seat....EVERYTHING. (Not to mention the private attorney we have hired to help intervene and for the adoption) We were told from our first CW that since we were relatives and because we "make to much money" there was nothing we could do to get assistance. We got a new CW and were told the only thing they could help with would be child care....which they never did. Well last month we met with our adoption-prep worker. She proceeds to tell me that we should have been and be on WIC to help with formula, milk, ect. That we should have gotten a one time $1000 payment. Day care completely paid. And up-to $500 a month to help with everyday expenses. My husband and I are not in this for the money AT ALL! We would do it all again bills and all. But there were times when we struggled to make that day care payment, or paid a bill late. We were new to having a child in our home. And althought we do make a good amount of money a month, we have rent, car payments, and other day-day bills....and things start to add up. So what irritates me is we should have been getting some type of help...and NOTHING. I mean they are going to start paying daycare now...and im not complaining, but with 3 months to go until adoption it would have been nice a while back. AHHHH its just so frustrating some times to deal with CW that dont want to do their job. To me all they had to say was fill this out do this....and I would have done it. Barely any paperwork on their part....they just send it off to someone else.
Ok im done...just really needed to get that off my chest! Its great having all you here to vent to!

[AmahMama]

Even if you are doing non-relative care - the support systems that are out there are not easy to find. When we started out - we didn't know about WIC or day care, or different funds to help with replacing car seats, or funds for "camps", or ANYTHING>>>>> but then we found another foster parent who was willing to "mentor" and told us about the many different programs. I don't know what state you are in - but many, many states continue to provide funding after adoption....and WIC is good until the child is 5, there are programs for daycare, and an adoption stipend available. Find your Foster Care Support Group and ask questions. Many of them have adopted and I am sure would be more readily informative than any of the state or county employees.

Good Luck!!

[jbee]

we still get a stipend for our son, although he's not related to us
and since we adopted him, we still get wic because now our family is under the income guidelines with an extra person