[JAMEST57]

Howdy,

I was talking to one of the three ladies who are working with me and she told me that the kid[s] I get will ALL come from a group home. I am a bit confused about exactly what a group home enviroment is like. [I've hard a few stories][Remember I am wanting to take in teens 12/13 -18]

I noticed a lot of people here who get middle of the night placements and also through out the day. But if they are coming only from a group home then that would not be the case for me. Correct?

I told her since it would be my 1st that I would like to have a healthy child. She agreed and said it would be one from a group home.

I would really be interested in "picking" someones brain [ really more than one persons brain] about how living in a group home would differ from getting an emergency placement or knowing you 'have' a placement coming soon or even adoption centers [are they considered group homes as well?].

I've seen on line articles about group homes but you know how they are, they don't tell the whole story.

One final question: Are those kids [teens] most of them, some of them "really" looking for a solid home. A for-ever home? [Yes I am aware that might be a hard question to answer unless you have been to a group home or worked at one, your thoughts on this are welcomed].

I've read many adoption sites with teens saying they "really" wanted to be adopted and have a for-ever family. I am wondering if group home teens might/could/would have the same feelings or are a lot of these kids just todays throw away kids [I dislike that term but have read it in many articles]. Any insite on this would be MOST appreciated.

Again, I appreciate your advise, wisdom and thoughts on this. HUGS

Blessings
In His service

EDIT: I use the term adopt in this post BUT I will be Fostering as well. This post is just about the adoption side. Thanks.

[aMarylandfamily]

I think I answered one of your previous posts on this but will again .... just because you are willing to take teens in and probably would be great for a teen-in-need from the sound of your interests/beliefs/etc does not mean that you have to take a child from a group home environment ... and that doesn't mean all group homes are "bad" or anything like that.

When a child enters foster care they generally start out in a family environment and can be moved for a variety of reasons but the step up in level of care to group home is usually due to behavior issues that cannot be addressed on a family level. A "group home" child may be healthy but may have severe issues that caused him or her to require that level of supervision. There are also different "levels" of group homes ... some of them are simple homes with 3-6 children in them but with a staffing (house parents + more) which allows their needs to be met without "burning out" the caretakers. There are also therapeutic group homes which can be a cluster within reach of residential services if needed.

I am not sure if you are aware of the Safe Families Act which now requires time limits on children in foster care before their permanency plan becomes adoption vs. lingering til they age out of the system ... alot of kids/teens in this position are or will shortly be coming available for adoption ... which is great for prospective parents in your position ... you might get to be a little more choosy than you would have a couples years back.

Also ... many agencies/DSS offices get extra funding for the harder to place children that are placed ... so don't let them require you to take this level of care if you are eligible for all...!

[Ms. Jackie]

All kids coming from group homes may be true in your area. I was in foster care for ten years and I was NEVER in a group home. I think it varies by area. Some states use group homes to filter kids through and give workers more time to place them, from what I understand.