[CladdaghGal]

We are in the Jefferson County (St. Louis) area and wonder what is the difference between going through a state vs. private agency? My husband spoke to someone with the state, and I spoke with someone at a private agency. Can anyone advise? Also, is there a specific agency anyone wants to recommend? I just ordered some information from the person I spoke with, which I haven't received yet. We are just starting out and haven't had any classes or anything yet.

Thanks!

[zombie]

Most private agencies pay more than the state does to foster parents. The agency I am working with pays twice what the state does. The state pays approx $225 a month.

[CladdaghGal]

Ah really !! Thank you, that helps a lot!!

[waitingtobeamom]

We are with a private agency and our kids come from a different private agency so I really can't help too much.

[imdmom]

Is anyone in STL county, going through a private agency, AND able to get foster kids that are younger?
My reason for the question is this:
We have tried 4, yes 4, different times to foster/adopt. The first time the case worker was horrendous and dh decided to back out, the other 3 times we were told "The ONLY population STL county has is X (insert the age 1 year younger than my ds each time) or older, AND AA.
They would NOT even send out an application to us because we were not willing to take a child that is ONLY 1 year younger than him or older.
They told me repeatedly that was their ONLY population. When I asked if it was county, state, or countrywide population they kept saying "Our population is X and older, and AA. NEVER answering the question.
I was also told they will only place STL kids, which I know is not abiding by the Interstate compact.
SO, basically, last Xmas when I called Catholic Family Services, I was told the ONLY way I could foster/adopt a younger child would be to move out of STL county. Oh, I also forgot to mention that 3 years ago (before starting an IA adoption) I contacted St. Chas county. WE were looking at moving out there, was okayed to apply but then the app was sent back saying we didn't live there and we'd have to go through STL county.
This is absolutely ridiculous. I am a kgn teacher and every year there are foster kids (NOT in a family placement) that are in our classes. What's up w/ that? They're not 13 yet (a year younger than ds) and they're not all AA (which is what DFS told us was the population. Just for the record....race is not a deciding factor for us...just stating what we were told.
So, what do we do, where do we go?
Any thoughts?
Nancy

[zombie]

Originally Posted by imdmom

Is anyone in STL county, going through a private agency, AND able to get foster kids that are younger?
My reason for the question is this:
We have tried 4, yes 4, different times to foster/adopt. The first time the case worker was horrendous and dh decided to back out, the other 3 times we were told "The ONLY population STL county has is X (insert the age 1 year younger than my ds each time) or older, AND AA.
They would NOT even send out an application to us because we were not willing to take a child that is ONLY 1 year younger than him or older.
They told me repeatedly that was their ONLY population. When I asked if it was county, state, or countrywide population they kept saying "Our population is X and older, and AA. NEVER answering the question.
I was also told they will only place STL kids, which I know is not abiding by the Interstate compact.
SO, basically, last Xmas when I called Catholic Family Services, I was told the ONLY way I could foster/adopt a younger child would be to move out of STL county. Oh, I also forgot to mention that 3 years ago (before starting an IA adoption) I contacted St. Chas county. WE were looking at moving out there, was okayed to apply but then the app was sent back saying we didn't live there and we'd have to go through STL county.
This is absolutely ridiculous. I am a kgn teacher and every year there are foster kids (NOT in a family placement) that are in our classes. What's up w/ that? They're not 13 yet (a year younger than ds) and they're not all AA (which is what DFS told us was the population. Just for the record....race is not a deciding factor for us...just stating what we were told.
So, what do we do, where do we go?
Any thoughts?
Nancy

Are you looking for regular foster placements or just adoptive placements? It is much easier to get a regular foster placement that is young.

Not sure about the private agencies, but if you go through the county, you can adopt from anywhere in the US AFTER 6 MONTHS. For the first 6 months you can only adopt from in the county.

We were licensed by the city, but adopted a baby from a private foster agency in the county. So, you can get licensed by the county and still look at the private agencies for adoptive placements. Until the adoption subsidy kicks in, you get the agency foster care rate.

It would probably be helpful for you to check out a foster care or adoption support group. That way you can get info on different agencies and network with other foster parents.

[imdmom]

The problem with waiting for 6 months is that I can't even get an application! They have told me there is no way I can even get an application mailed to me FROM DFS unless I state I will accept a child 1 year younger than my ds. We are not willing to do that as a family. There has to be more of an age gap.
We were also told this through Catholic Family Services. So, basically, if we want to go through the state we have to move out of St. Louis County. Sure, that'll happen in today's market.....NOT! I just get so frustrated that in other counties they can find enough placements for these kids so they have to stay in the unhealthy environment. However, in STL county, there are families willing to receive a placement but can't even get an application. That's just wrong!!! I have spoken to 4 different Missouri counties that have said STL county is the most difficult county to work with....I totally believe it!
I'm just trying to think of anything else we can do. I've been told that we can't use another county since we live in STL. So....
I don't know.
Nancy

[zombie]

Originally Posted by imdmom

The problem with waiting for 6 months is that I can't even get an application! They have told me there is no way I can even get an application mailed to me FROM DFS unless I state I will accept a child 1 year younger than my ds. We are not willing to do that as a family. There has to be more of an age gap.
We were also told this through Catholic Family Services. So, basically, if we want to go through the state we have to move out of St. Louis County. Sure, that'll happen in today's market.....NOT! I just get so frustrated that in other counties they can find enough placements for these kids so they have to stay in the unhealthy environment. However, in STL county, there are families willing to receive a placement but can't even get an application. That's just wrong!!! I have spoken to 4 different Missouri counties that have said STL county is the most difficult county to work with....I totally believe it!
I'm just trying to think of anything else we can do. I've been told that we can't use another county since we live in STL. So....
I don't know.
Nancy

I'm confused.
Did you tell them you wanted to foster?
accept legal risk placements to foster/adopt?
or only do straight adoption?

How old is your son, and what ages are you willing to accept in a placement?

Regardless, I would suggest that you go to a foster care and adoption support group meeting. Also, you could call the Foster Care and Adoption Coalition to try to get more data.

If you can't go through the county, there are lots of private agencies that subcontract for the county. They probably all have different policies regarding what ages they expect their foster parents to be willing to accept.

I would also suggest going to an informational meeting about foster care hosted by the county. The city had one every month or two, so I assume that the county does too.