[manderzmcg79]

Hi! Just wanted to get on here quickly and say my husband and I are looking to begin the foster process. We finished filling out our application papers and are turning them in tomorrow. We're excited and nervous about the process, as we've been trying to have a child of our own for three years now with no avail! We hope to make a difference in the world and all that, along with getting to parent a little child!

Anybody out there have any advice to those who are new to this and quite naive/sheltered? I have a few people I know that were foster kids, but nobody who has gone through the process of fostering with hopeful adoption... and I really feel like we could use any and all advice we can get. We're from Indiana (now) and just recently moved here from Chicago. It's great!

Thanks!

Amanda

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

Amanda~

Welcome and good luck in your foster process journey. Keep reading on this site as it contains some of the best "insider" info available. You will hear good and bad, but you will learn from both. I am not in Indiana, but hopefully some of your locals will chime in.

Kim

[CaddoRose]

You'll find the best advice on the forums. Be sure to look at all the daily posts and not just those from your state as you will get info that applies to everyone. Just jump on in with questions.

[tenderlovingtreasure]

i am with the washington county offices and have fostered for a few years now. It isnt easy by no means. Expect the unexpected is the only advice I can give. If you think it will, it wont and if you think it wont, then it surely will. Give it your all and be prepared. Just because you want to help doesnt mean they are ready for your help. There are temper tantrums, acting out, and the whole nine yards and then when you least expect it there comes a warm hug from behind or a soft i love you as your walking by. You literally have to take life like a grain of salt. It is a glorious journey that will make you laugh one minute and cry the next. This is a good place to vent and get advice. I sure have gotten lots and lots of advice. Like the previous poster stated do not just rely on the indiana section. Check them all because you will find useful reading material there. Good luck and best wishes on your journey.

[manderzmcg79]

Wanted to say thanks for the support... we're still in the process of "moving" (unpacking and getting new furniture, etc.) so I apologize for the lack of communication on my end. As things settle here I know I'll be more active on here.

We sent in our paperwork and the next step is scheduling the classes... in time in time.

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

If you are moving, you may want to consider getting set up with a primary care physician and go ahead and schedule physicals for sometime maybe in October. It would be a good first visit to a new doc before any sickness occurs AND will meet the requirement for the physical for fostering. Sometimes it is hard to find a good doc and get on his/her patient list and get an appt that will have the time to complete a physical and the form. So you can set it all up now for later and not be scrambling later.

I know some states take a long time, but for us....we filled out an application in mid-July, went to orientation at the end of July, began classes at the end of August, and were done and licensed by mid-November. We had a placement just 2 weeks later. So depending upon where you are it may go fast and you can get started by just some good planning without really having to DO anything while getting settled in.

Kim