[lmnop2]

We've had a foster child for several months, and the case worker arranges transportation for the visits. We've helped out occasionally, but the cw takes the responsibility for it.

We just received a newborn from a different county, and this cw seemed surprised that I thought she would be arranging for the transportation.

Is this something that varies from county to county? How does transportation usually work?

[bluebird38]

I think that it may vary from case to case. We had fc for over a year that I had to do all transporting for. Since then we've had two more placements and transportation has been provided by an outside source that contracts with our DCS. All of our placements have been from the same county.

[sonya47]

I wish I knew how to get transportation arranged for our kiddos. We have 2 sets of siblings and their visits are on the same day. DH and I alternate weeks because it's an all day thing. We leave our house with the 2 girls at 1pm for their one hour visit from 1:30-2:30 and return home at 3pm, Leave our house with the 4 sibs at 3:45 , arrive at their visit and wait from 4:30-6:30 and arrive back home around 7:15ish.

[lakin11]

Wow Sonya, that does not sound fun! No chance of them over lapping at all?

We have visits currently done w/ home based services. I'm sure if I pushed it, transportation could be provided, but I personally don't like sending the kids off w/ someone I don't know.

I have mixed feelings on the whole thing. For awhile, my FD hated visits, and it was VERY traumatic for her. I always felt like I was the bad guy b/c I took here there, I made her go there, etc. However, I liked knowing as soon as she was done, I was there, which made her much happier. Now they aren't as traumatic for her, but I still think she is relieved when she sees me.

We never had visits w/ our older sib group, and she didn't have visits the first 8 months so for the first year and a half of fostering, we got really spoiled w/ no visits.

I've heard that the private agencies are more likely to provide transportation, or at least reimburse, but with the county, that is just part of the 'job'.

[EandDmom]

I've always done the transportation because caseworker is excellent about asking what works for me. There was once where I couldn't do it and she gladly came and got them. I'm like Lakin I don't like the idea of them going off with strangers. Fd is usually upset afterwards and I like to be there to calm her down and get her thinking about something else.