[thelowlanders]

So I've experienced being screamed at over the phone by our CW when we said we would not take foster daughter to visit day before thanksgiving. Her behavioral reactions to visits include urinating all over friend's mattress, "Painting" with poo on walls and stuff, and leaving puddles randomly, plus all other extreme behaviors. We had long requested a 3 day buffer before any holidays. Anyway, they of course ignored it and then flipped when we wouldn't put our families in the position to have her over in that state of mind. And we wouldn't put our boys in a position to miss their holidays either. They proceeded to threaten to take her away. And all kinds of bizarre behavior over the phone.

Here's the greatest thing I realized as they were trying to push us into Christmas Eve visits. I called the Foster Parent Association people They in the many years of Fostering, have never been asked to disrupt family traditions to go to a visit. And certainly being threatened to move the child was unacceptable. They proceeded to tell me to contact them if this behavior ever happened again. They would speak to "so and so" , the head of the agency I guess about it and make this bullying stop. Yay!!! There is someone out there looking out for foster parents. They asked for the name of the CW and Visit supervisors of whom had chosen to belittle and threaten us. And what do you know.... Christmas visits are this Friday rather than right in the middle of our holidays. Interesting.

So glad to have found these people. We had no idea that foster families get treated like this. Like we're the ones in the wrong and must comply to their every whim. We're here to help, not be bullied. So thankful for this find!

[Hugsie]

Nice! So glad your holidays will not be disrupted.

Is this a national association or is it local to your area? Do they have a website?

[Christians-Mommy]

There is a national foster parent assoc. I am guessing however this is a local chapter. We have a regional chapters here. I am the Chair for our region. We do activities for our local families and do support group meetings and trainings. On the state level there is legislative activity and things like "Walk me Home" which is a walk for foster care. On the national level they even have conference. This year is in Reno Navada in May. I strongly encourage anyone who can find an association to get involved. If your area doesn't have one you could start one. Feel free to PM me with any questions. This is a phenominal support and resource for families.