licensed 12/10/05 length of wait?

We are also in Upstate NY (Syracuse area) We started our MAPP Classes on Aug 2 and were certified on Dec 9th. DH and I are going to take one child 0-3. We have been told that in Onondaga County there just haven't been many placements lately. Things are very slow. They are actually concerned that after the holidays they are going to get a wave of placements since it has been so slow. Our caseworker was able to tell us how many people were ahead of us and that people who finished their classes in Aug were also waiting for a placement. I don't know if it is slow in other parts of Upstate NY but thought I would share this. PS..... I'm with you on being impatient!!!!!! I'm driving my DH crazy!!!!! :D

[font=Verdana]MCNH We are in Oneida County. We were told that all infant homes are full during the process of our MAPPS class by one of the social workers teaching the class. She even explained that they were having a difficult time placing a particular infant who was coming straight from the hospital and had to move him because they placed him in a home with one other infant already there. All through the last weeks of class getting these comments from both SW that their homes are full so EXPECT a call as soon as we are certified. Now I thought that meant the day after. Perhaps I'm naive. But we were told several times all their homes are currently full. Utica and Rome have a lot of problems they also had to close down several foster homes recently for various reasons.[/font][font=Verdana] [/font][font=Verdana]During the home study which was done by one of the SW who taught our MAPPS class again we were told to expect a placement as soon as we are certified as all homes are full. Again I felt that they had children "waiting" for us to be certified in temporary placements or they wouldn't have rushed us through and told us so many times to expect a placement right away. [/font][font=Verdana] [/font][font=Verdana]Now I'm afraid something happened that is preventing us from being called-a personal thing that occurred with my DH sister. His sister has issuesӔ while the rest of his family is exceptional and all professional and educated this issue does not have anything to do with abusing our children and does not touch our immediate family. Anyway this "thing" that happened has me very worried that they may not place with us perhaps out of personal prejudice because of his sister. She has absolutely nothing to do with our family BUT now I'm reaching as to why we aren't getting this call as expected and thinking of reasons as to why. I'm hoping that by next week we will have a placement and all this worry will be for nothing. [/font][font=Verdana][/font] [font=Verdana]I am also driving my husband and myself crazy. This is supposed to be a happy time. I wish they would have never said anything about expecting that call as soon as we were certified. I beleived them. [/font][font=Verdana] [/font][font=Verdana]L[/font]

Okay, now I know I've been overly paranoid and worrying for nothing. I called the SW today who taught our MAPPS class. She is also in the homefinding unit. I've been paranoid about this thing with my sister in law and wanted to talk to her to make sure this was not affecting us. Its hard because the rest of my husband's family is so "normal" and basically amazing people. Its sad really. I didn't out right ask about it, but it was discussed and I found out I have nothing to worry about there :)! The reason we have not had a call is that they have not had any children come into care, well they have but they have been placed with relatives and have been out of the age ranges we specified. Its been "unusually slow." So thats that. Now I can relax and enjoy Christmas. L

I'm glad to hear you called your SW!! :) You WILL get your call . At least that is what i keep telling myself also. We are also going crazy here :) I don't know if you have heard about the Family support center in Syracuse. It is a single point of entry for all children coming into foster care. (some babies do not go through here though) Well they have also been very slow. (I work for the same agency that runs the program) Just this week it started to pick up a LITTLE. It's just a slow time right now..... we'll get the call :cheer:

I feel much better since calling. I have not heard of Family support center, is that for your county? I'm still confused on how this works with the different agencies and Oneida county. We were also certified December 9th! I didn't find out until later but that is the date on our license. I'm starting to obsess now that we are licensed. Nice to have somebody who can relate.

MY dh and I are in Sterling, NY, Cayuga County. We have been waiting 4 months since licensing, and I am going NUTS! I have heard that my county does not have many kids coming into care, but I'm getting pushy now. :) Hope we both hear something soon.

The family support center is for Onondaga county. Yes still waiting here.It's hard to sit and wait when reading on here about people getting calls after calls. Oh well..... Wishfulmom...wow 4 months. Hopefully your call will come soon. I'm thinking we may be in for quite a wait. :( But we can all wait together. :)

This is an emergency placement. I called and asked to be put on the list. 6 month old infant girl and 20 month old boy (siblings.) On Thursday we find out if they will stay or go home soon. I'm hoping for the best for the family. Its a difficult situation. Parents seem very bonded with the 20 month old but the baby I'm not sure about. The baby came with a fractured skull and spiral fracture on her leg that had healed already. I would like to beleive parents that it is an accident but the more I talk with them the less I am beleiving. I do beleive they really have cared for and loved the little boy. I just don't know about the baby. Tonight talked to mom and she told me that she thinks the 20 month old may have broken babies leg. He's a tiny little thing and has been sweet as can be to his sister. Anyway I have to run very very busy. I don't think this is a permanent or adoption placement...but I am the happiest I have been in a long time. Its nice to be doing something for a family when they need it. L

YEA... First placement!!!!! Sounds like quite a situation. Make sure you keep us informed!!! I can't wait for our first call!!!!

Having two kids under the age of 2 is a workout. I think I have lost 5 pound since placment last Tuesday. I am enjoying the being busy all the time but am also exhausted. Its a happy tired. :)The baby is a doll. Very sweet and loving, likes to snuggle, sucks her thumb, coos, smiles, talks, laughes. I have a feeling she was left in her swing almost all of the time. She is very happy there and content. She never cries to get out, but I only put her there when I absolutly have to get something done in the kitchen. I am trying to hold her as much as possible. I have a sling and will try that out this afternoon. She is at the age where she grabs anything and everything! So I have to watch out. Parents did ask me how much we were holding her and they said "oh no" when I told them. I'll send the baby sling home with the kids if they go home soon (hopefully they will use it.)The 20 month old is adorable! He is starting to feel more comfortable with us and has shown some 2 year old behaviors mostly nothing I haven't seen already when raising my children. However, there are some behaviors that may be a concern or may just be his age and lack of socialization. He does hit a lot, throw toys and is very rough on our pets (to the point I have them seperated unless I can directly supervise and show him how to touch them.) He will hit/pull fur right after I tell him not to. He can understand that I am telling him not to do the behavior. He will be "nice" to them if I am sitting right there with him so this is what we are doing as of yesturday. This is hard on our animals who are used to being with me. Also he eats non-stop. I have to finally tell him no more because I'm afraid he will never stop eating and eventually make himself sick. He throws a fit. He is small but doesn't look malnourished. Have to run. I'll give an update after court on Thursday. Parents are sure they are getting the kids back on that day but I have a feeling they will be in care longer. I hope they can cope and work on owning and fixing problems if their babies remain in care.L

Thanks for the update. Good luck. Sounds like you have your hands full but also sounds like it is a GOOD full :) Lets us know how Thursday goes.

Have you received a placement? It's tougher with same sex kids.

I feel your pain. During MAPP classes, our instructor kept saying you can expect to receive a call hours after licensing to take a child. I got licensed and waited and waited and waited. I wondered why no calls were coming to take children. I called the agency numerous times to ask if there was a problem. Finally, about a month later, I got the call to take in a 4-month-old beautiful baby girl. It was worth the wait. Hang in there.

when the sw came to open our home we had a child with in the hour, and the son we adopted within 2 weeks

We took older children so we had a placement the day after we completed the course. Have had 2 in my house at almost all times except for when we took a break in between.Babies are wanted more than older kids so you get put on the end of the list. They will use the families they are familiar with first then the new ones.I would assume it wouldn't be long. Unfortunately there are many people not fit to be parents.Good luck-Rachele