So, dh & I have already been accepted into training & such, but we still wanted to go to the orientation since we had missed the one last month. I'm happy we did!

The director told us that she gives everyone a Baby Bjorn - they want you to hold the babies as much as possible :) AND , one of the cllasses we have to take is on infant massage! Well, I love doing infant massage & had already thought that it would be so necessary for any baby we are placed with!

We thought classes were 12 weeks - they are 8! And she said that a common thing since there is such a great need is that you get licensed tues morn & tues night you have a placement!!!! In 2 months we will most likely have a new baby in our home!

This agency only does infants & you commit to care for the child for the duration of their stay in foster care (til they are either reunited or you or someone else adopts them), no passing babies from home to home to home - they want them to learn to bond. Only one child at a time,too.

And dh left even more commited & saying that this is definitely what we need to do!!!!!! :heart:

We are so excited!!!!!

This is a special agency in San Diego - according to the director it is the only agency of its kind that she knows of.

I feel so blessed to have found them, I absolutely feel that our life has gone through all the turns & changes it has just to bring us to this! :)

How wonderful! DH is applying for a job in San Diego, this new info makes me even more excited!

Kristi

good luck on the job! San Diego is a great place!

And if you do move, you definitely need to check this agency out! They are amazing! :)

Originally posted by ~*~Sunflower~*~
This is a special agency in San Diego - according to the director it is the only agency of its kind that she knows of.

I feel so blessed to have found them, I absolutely feel that our life has gone through all the turns & changes it has just to bring us to this! :)

We are transfering to San Diego in two months, I'd really love to hear more information about this agency! :) DH and I have been talking alot about fostering and adopting in the future! :)

Here is their website:

http://fosterkidsfirst.org/

We had our first night of training tonight! :)

Originally posted by ~*~Sunflower~*~
Here is their website:

http://fosterkidsfirst.org/

We had our first night of training tonight! :)

Thanks for sharing, I'll have to show that to DH tomorrow! :) How did your first night of training go?

I checked out their site. I think it's fantastic to require a sah parent for these babies, and it sounds like a great agency. My only qualm (and this isn't the issue with the agency, I'm sure this is a county/statewide thing) would be that I wouldn't drive a foster child to visits. Here, we have what are called "parent aides" and they do the pu/drop off of the foster children for visits, as well as supervising. There are plenty of bioparents that are fine, but there are some that are potentially dangerous, and I wouldn't want to risk a bio knowing my car and stuff, yk? Just be careful :) In my limited experience, I have yet to have problems with bio parents; but, when we had a newborn for a week we were told by the worker to NEVER speak to the bios or give them our phone numbers or anything; and to put a hat on the baby when we took her out in public so that she wouldn't be recognized. Scary.


Also, just as an fyi, it can be emotionally difficult to do the transports and have to always be "on call" for the bios. It's easy to get resentful of *having* to drive all over and do things you feel are wrong. That you are *expected* to do so goes with the mentality that some agencies/workers have that foster parents should be at their beck and call. Luckily, that hasn't been my experience. My agency is fantastic and respects foster parents. I think that is the most important quality in choosing an agency.

Kristi

Yeah, its all the county's doing - thank goodness that our agency provides social workers for us that attend the first feww meetings - with the county we dont even get that. it is pretty daunting, but I would rather be there alone than not at all. It would be really,really hard for me to just turn this baby over for visits & to not be there, I'd feel like i was betraying the child. I think it is more gentle on the child to have their primary caregiver there to ease the adjustment.

They made it very clear that if the bios abuse their right to call they get put on a schedule. We will not be at their beck & call- everything is scheduled & at our convenience. We only get a child in our area & we can meet wherver we want, including the agency.

I hope that I wont feel resentful since I know what I am getting into up front. I think this situation really challenges you - you have more input & you also have a chance to help the parent by encouraging them & helping them understand their child (if warranted). I think that is a really hard position to take, it would be far easier to be judgmental & critical & not encourage! I am very curious what my initial reaction will be when I meet a bio parent !

anyway, this is all just the ramblings of someone who has only been to 1 training session LOL

I hope I wasn't too discouraging :) Just be prepared for emotions you weren't expecting. I was totally aware of what we were getting into, and it didn't help with the feelings I've experienced,lol.

I really enjoy working/helping the bio families when possible. Part of why we got into this was to help the entire family, not just the child. However, some bio's are resistant to help :(

Anyway, your agency sounds great, and you will make a wonderful foster mom :)

Check out the fourms at www.fosterparents.com there's a wealthe of info there.

Kristi

Originally posted by grisandole
Check out the fourms at www.fosterparents.com there's a wealthe of info there.


I've been lurking there & posted a bit! I posted to the thread re the little boy whose babysitter forced his foreskin back...

I may have to start buggin you for info LOL
its one thing to think of how a situation will be & how you will deal with it & another to actually have been in it! :)

I post there rarely but lurk alot :) Feel free to email me anytime kristiwish@blessubaby.com

The actual experience, for me, had been more difficult than I expected. I knew what I was getting into (my mom did foster care for 20 years so I grew up around it), I knew the system sucked, I was prepared. But, it's still sooooooooooooooo hard to deal with sometimes. Especially when kids go home when they shouldn't- that's the worst. And for me, the younger they are, the harder it is. I got into foster care to take babies, but after having a newborn I changed to only taking ages 3 and up because I couldn't deal with the emotions attached to having a baby. I'm glad there are people like you that are stronger and more selfless than I am :)

Kristi

You are too sweet! I actually feel very selfish - I just love babies & love caring for them, so this is a way to get my fill - and I think taking care of older children takes *way* more hard work & dedication! People who can do that are WAY more selfless IMO!