[cebeshon]

I would like to hear from foster parents from Illinois. I am waiting on my license. It should be here anyday. Please email me at cebeshon@yahoo.com. I would like someone to talk about my experiences when we get our first child.

[lambeausam]

I'm in DuPage county. What would you like to know?

Sam

[cebeshon]

I am from Marion county. Where is Dupage? I just wanted some one to share their experiences with foster care. I haven't received my license yet, but I should be getting it anyday now.
I am just a little nervous because I have a 6yo bs and I am afraid he will have trouble with adjustments. He has been an only child for so long, hope the change won;t be to hard on him. But agian I am very excited about having another child in the house.


Crystal

[EvaC]

I am from Clay County. I live in Flora. I have been a foster parent for 3 years and have had a sibling group of 3 for over 2 years and we are looking forward to adoption. We also have four sons of our own. Are you getting your license from DCFS? If so, which office? If I can be of any help, or if you just want to chat, email me at clossoncrew@verizon.net.

Eva

[Crane13]

I am in Southern IL, if you have further questions.

Jill

[ChgoFAMom]

NOT in Chicago ~ I"ve been a foster parent for almost 3 years now - I am with Catholic Charities.

[lambeausam]

DuPage is the county to the west of Cook. Wheaton is the county seat. I have been fostering with DCFS for seven years, but have also had cases that were with Childserv, Catholic Charities, and ECFA.

Crystal - I would suggest only taking placements younger than your son. The less he has to share during his initial experience as a foster brother, the smoother the transition. Another thing that has helped us is to remind the children that the judge makes the decisions about when children get to live with us and when they get to go home. We also use a book called, "Zachary's New Home," that does a great job explaining foster care in a storybook format.

Sam

[tracyw2]

HI

We are just now starting. We are trying foster to adopt. We live in Adams County in Illinois - Quincy to be more specific!

~tracy

[tybeemarie]

Hi! We live in the beautiful city of Chicago! Welcome to the world of fostering. You meet this most wonderful people. If you can get to the North American Council on Adoptable Children's conference in Philadelphia this August, GO. They have incredible training there, and again, you meet fantastic people--down to earth, caring, good-humored.

[Crane13]

Tybeemarie, I had no idea you were a fellow illinoiser!

Do you have a website for this Counsel? We are moving to the east coast this summer, and we might be able to make it work next year!

Jill

[tybeemarie]

Hi, Jill! Here's the website for the NACAC conference:

http://www.nacac.org/conference.html

It's August 3rd to August 6th in Philadelphia, PA. I definitely want to go. I went alone last year. This year I want the DH to come, too. Among the presenters last year were Gregory Keck and Regina Kupecky, authors of Parenting the Hurt Child, Deborah Hage, author of Therapeutic Parenting, and Nancy Thomas, author of When Love is Not Enough and other great books. They had a Love and Logic trainer, books from Tapestry Books, etc. And I met AWESOME foster parents. It is so great to be in a packed ballroom, and to know not one person in it thinks I'm crazy for wanting to adopt foster children.