[nhkid]

Just wondering if we could get some people from N.H. to start talking to each other. I love being a lurker but sometimes think it would be nice to talk to others from this lovely state. I do not have any particular topics in mind but who knows where this thread will lead.

[Gryph]

We're here. We can see the value of a separate support system. The foster/adopt association, local support groups and FIRST are all closely monitored by DCYF or a private sponsoring agency.

[geolady651]

Hello everyone... new to NH and just starting the foster care training process. Would love to chat with others in our new state about their experiences here. I know it has been a while since the last posting but sure hope SOMEONE is out there to read this and respond......geolady

[nhkid]

Hi Geolady its nice to hear from someone else. So you are just starting out? Thats great. Fostering is awesome, scary, challenging and the best thing that ever happened to me. I am always looking at these post so let me know how it is going for you on your licensing quest.

[geolady651]

Hello NHkid...Yes, just starting the process here. We have a new licensing worker in our county who has to go through lots of training I guess so the process make take longer than we had expected. We are hoping that some of our previous experience will pay off and maybe we won't have to go to EVERY training, but realize the value in meeting other foster parents and sharing experiences and ideas.
I was hoping that someone would respond to my post. I thought maybe that you had not been on in a long time but it is good to see that you try and keep up with this area. Finding this forum to be quite interesting but confusing when trying to navigate around. Would be nice to be able to communicate with other fp out there in our vicinity.
Well.. time to call it a night here. Just got back from a training seminar on dealing with "difficult" kids. Very informative.
Keep in touch.
Geolady

[nhkid]

geo lady where abouts are you from? I am from the north country. I have been licensed for about 5 years. At this moment I do not have any foster children in my home but I am waiting for the call for more. Sometimes the wait seems like forever. But it is well worth it.

[Gryph]

Geolady,

Just so that you don't expect too much, you must attend all the Foundation for Fostering classes. If you miss one, you will have to make it up, probably in another county or wait until it comes around again. Previous experience doesn't matter. Even if you are a child psychologist, you got to do it all. You'll learn about the system and foster children. There's no experience like living with them.

Home studies, references, back ground checks, etc. must also be completed. They are required by the rules and statutes.

The newly-hired licensing worker will be training through March with only 1-2 days in the office per week. I've seen a lot of them come and go. This one is worth waiting for.

NHKID,

I hear that placements are sometimes infrequent in the north country. I also heard that you get some pretty tough cases.

[geolady651]

Thanks... I understand we will have to attend all the trainings and may have to make one up; that is not a problem. We have just heard that Sullivan County is in desperate need for foster parents so we were hoping that they would try and get a start on our application as soon as possible. I hate to think that kids are out there waiting and that we have the room for them.
Gryph - Do you know the new case worker for Sullivan County? You mention she is worth waiting for. Sounds like they have a lot of training to go through but I understand she used to work for Casey Family Services or Lutheran Brotherhood. We have already sent in the required paperwork. As we have done foster care before, would just like for them to send a release of information so that information can be acquired from Minnesota that might be helpful for them, background checks, etc., and so that the references can get started also.
The North Country hardly has any people in it... no wonder there aren't many placements..
Can either of you, Gryph or NHKid, give me some info on reimbursements? From the old info we have, it states a base rate of $12-15 a day and I can only assume there is a difficulty of care factor to be added to that. I can't imagine that they would pay as little as 50 cents an hour for the responsibility that they are giving us, but then again I may be wrong. I also hear that the counties are sometimes slow in paying...could that also be true? Thanks for any info you can give me.

[Nhoopie]

Hi everyone...

My wife and I are awaiting that long awaited phone call as well. We finally was able to get our license after a long wait. It's nice to see that there is someone else out there willing to talk and listen. At times it seems we are all alone in this process. Well goodnight for now and talk to you all soon!

Hoopie

[nhkid]

Nice to hear from you i wish you good luck. I hope you do not have to wait long. It has been about 6 months since my last placement. Every time the phone rings I wonder if that will be my next placement.

[Nhoopie]

Thanks Nhkid...How far up north do you live? How long before you were licensed did you get your first placement? I am so in the dark....do we have to attend training after the initial one...we went through the whole adoption training and home stud and licensing. I was just contacted by Lula from the Manchester office (she's great!) and she said that we are offically on "the list" to be called....Very excited and anxious!!!

Let's keep up our conversations I like them!

See you soon!

Hoopie

[nhkid]

I live in the middle of the white mountains. I think I had my license for 4 months before I got my first placement. He only stayed for 1 month. 3 months late I got a placement of 2 sibs. They stayed with me for about a year. 3 months after that another placement came. After two years he became my son. I have had 2 other placements since then but now I am empty and have been for awhile.
My first placement came from the Manchester office. You will have to take other classes to keep up your licensing hours but they are not so bad. I can't remember how many hours you need each year but it is no more than twenty. I take as many classes as I can because its good to be around other people with similar issues and ideas.
Good luck, nhkid

[birthmothersofn]

Hello

I read your post,i am in nh,where are you? you can e-mail at birthmothersofnh@yahoo.com


tracy

[hopetobedad]

Hi all,
I am out there waiting too! I am from Gilford(central NH) and currently a foster dad waiting for placements! The wait does seem very long!