Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

I keep thinking about becoming a foster parent. I sort of feel like it's something that would really bless our lives. Dh and I had talked about this before we were even married and both agreed that it's something we could see ourselves doing. Lately it's been more on my mind. The thing that holds us back is our children. We wouldn't take any older children we were thinking age 7 and under. I know a lot of these children have issues and I wouldn't want it to affect my girls in a negative way. Everyone we know of trying to talk us out it saying that we just don't know what we would be getting ourselves into. Is it something you have or would do?

Message edited 3/26/2014 12:34:50 PM.

Re: Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

I think being a foster parent is great. But with young children I'd be more worried about how they would handle when the foster child moves out of your house. I think that could be traumatic for your children.

Re: Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

I think it's a wonderful thing to do. If both you and DH are on board, I say go for it.

Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

Maybe you can start by hosting a child for a week this Summer from the Fresh Air Fund and see how that goes?

Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

We plan to do this when our youngest is around 5 or so. We feel very strongly about it because of the jobs we have/had. We also need our kids old enough to understand it is a temp situation, but we would be open to adoption is we could as well.

Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

My cousins did it and ended up adopting 8 kids. All are 3 sets of siblings. It's pretty amazing. A lot of ups and downs for them too.

Do you belong to a church? That is how my cousins got started.

Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

I would love to. Dh is against it because he knows I would get way too attached.

Re: Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

Yes, I've thought about it. The only real worry/concern I've had is getting to attached to the kids and not wanting them to leave! But overall, It's a great thing to do IMO.

Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

No experience. But I do feel it's one of those rare things in life where if you have a "calling" to do it (for lack of a better word) - it's definitely something to think about deeper and pursue. I think it's one of those desires that don't hit most people, and if you do go through with it, you're doing an amazing thing. If you can provide stability and love, and actually desire to do so to children who aren't your own, I think that's wonderful.

Re: Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

Message edited 3/27/2014 10:05:25 AM.

Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

I think that's great. We need people like you :)
I hope it can happen and send you lots of luck. I think it's such a great thing.

Re: Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

I'm (now) a foster care supervisor in NYC. It may be a bit different but I see all the good and all the bad. Please feel free to fm me with any questions you may have.

Re: Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

The best bet would be being an emergency foster...so you have the children for a week or less. That way your girls get used to the revolving door, then go from there

Re: Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

This Forum might be of interest

Nassau County, NY - March 19, 2014 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced today that the Nassau County Department of Social Services (DSS) will be hosting a Foster and Adoptive Recruitment Forum at the Long Island Children’s Museum located at 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City on Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 p.m. Foster and adoptive parents as well as young adults who were in foster care will be part of a panel presentation.

“Children are our most precious resource,” stated County Executive Mangano. “We are always looking for loving and caring people to open their hearts and homes to children who need foster care placement, and recruitment is critically important to accomplish this goal.”

In order to best meet the needs of children entering foster care, DSS recruits parents throughout Nassau County. “It is imperative that we certify a diverse group of foster families to accommodate the cultural diversities of the children who enter foster care in our communities,” explained Maria Lauria, Director of Children’s Services.

“Becoming a foster parent can be very rewarding,” stated Betty Shands, Vice President of the Foster and Adoptive Parents’ Association of Nassau County. “I have been a foster and adoptive parent for more than 28 years and have had over 70 children placed in my home during that time. While the vast majority of the children returned to their parents or relatives, I have adopted 4 children through DSS. For the children who returned to their families, I am still in contact with many parents who call me for support and advice.”

DSS Commissioner Dr. John Imhof added, “We are very fortunate to have committed and dedicated families to care for children in foster care. It would be impossible to have a foster care program without these parents devoting themselves 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to our youth.”

In Nassau County there are approximately 240 children in foster care. Children enter foster care and can return to their families on a regular basis, while some children remain with foster families who often want to proceed with formal adoptions. All Nassau County foster homes are certified through the DSS. Foster parents can be single, married, divorced, legally separated or living with a partner and must be 21 years or older.

Anyone interested in fostering children should plan to attend the Recruitment Forum on Thursday, April 17th. For more information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please contact Sandra Benitez at (516) 227-7613.

Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

I work for a foster care agency (though not with the foster care departments). There is a large committment though. Aside from the caring of the children themselves, you are responsible for getting them to all appointments (i.e. medical, psychiatric, etc), being available for home visits from their worker, staying in touch with their worker, being available for supervised visits with the birth parents if they're in the child's life (oftentimes these happen at the foster care agency office), being available for conferences with the foster care staff and birth parents etc and going through many hours of training which must happen on an annual basis. Plus your home needs to be investigated / cleared by local CPS/ACS.

Also keep in mind, most foster parents want younger children. The goal is also to return all kids to their birth parents. Of course this doesn't work out in many instances but that's still what everyone is striving for.

Message edited 3/31/2014 4:36:07 PM.

Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?

I've provided therapy and counseling to foster kids and their families. fm me if you have questions.

Re: Anyone a foster parent or thought about it?