[Sabra]

Hello Everyone:

This is a new forum for all parents that are fostering a child in the state of Arkansas. If you have fostered a child in the past in the state of Arkansas and would like to encourage foster parents for this state you are welcome to post on this forum as well.

Please feel free to network about various aspects of foster parenting.

You may wish to share with one another about services available in your state. Helpful tips on transitioning a child into your home. Problems or concerns in which you would like to have perspectives from other foster parents. Activities that foster families enjoy. Vacation ideas. And any other topics that foster families may have in common.

Post and make new friends in your own home state!

[dlbyers]

We are Foster and Adoptive Parents in AR...just looking for support and friends that have same interests and issues.

[JaelynElise]

May I ask if you have a bio child already?

[karenn]

We have been foster parents for 6 years in Mo and are moving to AR. I would like to keep on fostering, but what all would I have to do to get licensed. Is there a shortage in foster homes in AR and is DFS supportive of foster parents?

[joarkn]

Foster parenting is confusing. We went through training and were told to be an "advocate" for the children. One of our biggest obstacles has been the Dept. of Human Services. If I hear somebody say, "I have a huge caseload." one more time, I might just jump off the roof. I know that those poor people are overworked and underpaid. I know that the usual burnout time for a caseworker is two years. I know that these people do not get the appreciation that they deserve. I know that the system ties their hands. I know that caseworkers are good people with good intentions. I'm only a foster mother with two little girls that have been in the system for 18 months with one failed trial placement. These girls deserve an advocate better than myself. I've been acused of possibly hindering reunification due to the fact that we are a foster/adopt home. There goes my integrity. Now what? Who is going to tell the judge that, not only has the bio mom been completely enabled by DHS, but, at the last staffing none of the three attorneys showed. There was a caseworker, a cassa worker, a foster parent, and a bio mom. I have got to be heard by somebody! Any suggestions?

[mom2GRLC]

I am a foster parent and have been for over 2 years here in arkansas. I am also a foster/adoptive home and have run itno some similiar problems. Have you spoken with the childrens attorney Ad Litem (however you spell that.) When I have been open with the ad litem and letting them know my concerns thay are usually pretty good at brining them up to the court or the workers. Some social workers have even tried to hide the childs attorneys name and number from me..I guess they feel everything regarding the child should go through them.....But the childs attorney is the one who really stands up in court for the childs needs....The social worker tries to play both sides in keeping both the foster parents happy and the parent.

got to go....chat later.

[joarkn]

We've had a few AALs that were awesome for the kids. Then we get one that hasn't even personally met the kiddos. Of course that would be the case with these two. We've moved on to overnight visits now. Totally overlooking any concerns of doctors, therapist, and us. This is one that God is going to have to handle. I sure can't.

[luv'mall]

we moved here as foster parents from another state with a foster child that was placed for adoption with us....we are looking to become licensed here in ar, boy this is confusing...we are to adopt our foster child, but have been told that you must be a resident for 2 years before you can adopt....wow..is the time line for becoming a foster parent in ar as long?

[mom2GRLC]

I'm not sure who you have been talking to but...two years does not sound right.

My husband and I moved to Arkansas December 2001 and started the classes to become foster parents in January. We had our first foster child placed with us April 1st. The only thing different for us...was they had to do an extra FBI check from the previous state that we lived in as well as the other FBI checks they regularly do. I was never told I had to live in Arkansas 2 years before we could adopt.

Since you are adopting a child that came from a previous state...it seems to me like you should still be able to use that previous state as the state you adopt the child from. Even if they switched the childs info over to this state....as long as the child has lived with you 6 months and the child is legally up for adoption you should be able to adopt right away. I certianly don't think they would make you wait another 2 years to legally make the child yours...that just doesn't sound right.

I would talk to other adoption supervisors and find out what can be done in your case.

Godd luck. Jessica

[luv'mall]

thanks Jessica...we have finally been able to reach a program co-orinator and will have the first in-home consult next week...I have to tell you that it seems foster parents have more info than the workers. I have workers in two states giving me conflicting info....with Gods help all will resolve itself soon

sue

[pugsooie]

Hi, my husband and I are fostering to adopt. All I have to say is fostering is HARD work. I fall in love with all children that come into my home and I have only been doing this since January.

Does anyone live in the Fort Smith or surounding area?

[ppeddy]

hi, i have been a foster parent in arkansas before & getting ready to start again after a 2 year absence. we have adopted a little girl through foster care several years ago. i'm new to this forum so bear with me

[buzzbee]

Hi i am from Judsonia Ar. we are trying to open our home to foster adopt parenting. I have a question? how long after you are approved do they place children in your home? and what is a legal risk adoption foster home that everyone keeps talking about? thank you for any information. what are the odds of adopting a child through foster parenting?

[SquirlyGirl]

I am from Rogers, we just had our in home consultation yesterday. Waiting to hear back on classes.

[Faith15]

We are approved to adopt here in Arkansas and looking for a sibling group, any race, some special needs between the ages of 0 to 5. If any of you are fostering children that you aren't interested in adopting please let those of us know when they come up for adoption. So many kids are sitting in limbo at this time due to lack of workers. Lets help these kids find permanent homes.