[Peaches1970]

I am confused and frustrated at the same time, if that at all is possible.

I am still awaiting for the caseworker to come back to my home to complete the homestudy portion. I sent back all of my paperwork including getting myself fingerprinted. I just really don't know what the hold up is now.

I called her this morning and left a message that I am planning on taking some time to travel to Seattle since a friend invited me to come, all I need to do is purchase a plane ticket. I don't want to go away and here come the caseworker planning to come back to my home for the homestudy. I left a message telling her I do plan on going away this month as well, she needs to tell me when she will be back to my home.

The last time she was at my home she stated that I would need to have everything in place before she comes back out to my home again for the infant.

Now I am questioning if I want an infant or a toddler. I am a License Nurse working in NYC, living in NJ. I work the 3rd shift at the hospital working nights and getting off in the morning. I sometimes feel that maybe a toddler would fit my home. I am afraid of taking on a toddler because they may have a ton of problems such as ADD or ADHD or fetal alchol syndrome and these are fears for me from a medical standpoint and a parental standpoint. I decided an infant would more than likely be the best option for me.

I already am a mother to my 6 y.o. daughter.

I just wanted some input from other foster parents in NJ with some of there experiences with fostering infant or toddlers?

Yes, I sit and continue to wait for this homestudy to be completed and then Office of Licensing will come out to my home. It just seems everything is such a long process?

Would love to hear from other foster parents

[Bridallady]

Hi!

I'm in the middle of my home study too and just had to respond. This is the second time around for me so I know what you mean about the waiting! My hubby and I went through the process a few years ago but closed our home to take a break. Now we have to go through everything (except for taking PATH) again. Believe it or not, the State has streamlined the process and home studies are supposed to be completed in about 90 days now. But that depends on whether references are returned on time, etc. When I went through the process a couple of years ago, it took about a year to get approved so the system is much better now. I can tell you that so much goes on behind the scenes and the Home Finder has a ton of paperwork to complete. But when it's all said and done, it's worth the wait!

[Bridallady]

Wow! When I typed "second time around" in my reply, the website put in a link to a resource that they offer. This is a pretty resourceful website!

[Peaches1970]

I just spoke with the caseworker and she told me she will be coming out to my home in the morning on May 25th.

Once again she stated that I must have everything in place for the baby including the baby gate. She did question whether I needed the crib now. I am questioning that as well. She stated if I have the bassinet and I am seeking to obtain a baby from the hospital, the bassinet should be okay for approval.

Next week I will be doing anything that needs to be done for this homestudy.

Once again the wait will start again for Bureau of Licensing to come out to my home. She told me that Bureau of Licensing will call and schedule an appointment with me on their own, and I must call YCS at once so she can be here as well.

They really do things different this time around. It is a waiting game. DYFS is stopping the PATH training and beginning the PRIDE classes in July. This is also causing the wait to become longer.

I will keep you posted with what happens on May 25th just wish me luck.


Believe it of not when I spoke with the caseworker this week she stated my fingerprints still did not come back. DYFS has so many changes going on right now. They should have the fingerprints before May 25th. We will see!

Take Care