My Chosen Children

Conversations About Foster Care

I have had a couple of interesting conversations over the past couple of weeks.  The first was with the Child Protective Services case worker at my local DSS.  I called to inquire about their need for foster homes as I am still debating on whether to take younger children or teenagers.   She told me that if I was interested I should send her a flyer.  Yup, a flyer!

The person who handled foster homes left DSS recently and the CPC worker was covering her position as well.  She said to include information about me and what type of children I was willing to take.  I asked her about an application and she told me that there wasn’t one but that I would have to have a background investigation.  I am still scratching my head about this as I really thought that you had to go through an approval process similar to what the agency did with a homestudy.

I sent her an email with my information as well as the ages of children I was willing to foster.  She called the next day with a few questions and that was that.  I still believe that there is an approval process that foster homes have to go through.  I guess I can either wait and see what happens or pursue it further with another locality.

My second conversation was with a friend of a friend who adopted through foster care.  She did in fact go through an application and approval process but they were looking to adopt and I know that is a little more involved.  She has two adopted children after raising 7 bio children.

It was interesting to hear about her second adopted daughter.  She came to them when she was 4.  You would think that would be young enough not to have any deep rooted emotional problems but R said that she really struggled with a few.  R is a very active talker, her hands move the entire time and the child would flinch like she was going to be hit for the longest time.  And at 4 years old, she wasn’t potty trained.

That by itself took some time to get through.  It is harder to potty train an older child.  They already have built habits and if you add the developmental delays to it, well, let’s just say it’s hard.  R says that she still has problems with bedwetting and if the child gets upset she regresses.

R suggested that I call the DSS in her county which is also the county where I work.  The foster care worker there is supposed to be very knowledgeable.  I have it on my list of things to do in the coming weeks.  I have to say that it is really nice to talk with someone who has been through it all.

Only 3 more classes until I have completed training.  We should finish up on the 14th except for the Crisis Intervention training which keeps getting put off.  I still have to schedule my physical and tb test.  That is on my list for the next week as well.  Next week is looking like a full week!

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