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It seems my situation is different than most of the others I've read about. My DH and I have three children. We had discussed fostering, had signed up to being the process and were getting ready to start taking the classes.
I am a SAHM who does daycare. One of my clients had children's service's become involved in their lives. They offered the family the opportunity to do a voluntary placement with their baby while they got things in order. The day they placed the baby the mother called me in tears. After a long talk with her I spoke to my DH about the situation. DH and I were willing to accept the opportunity to help and foster. The family would feel better if the baby were in our home rather than a total stranger. They called the case worker the next day. Case worker called me. I told case worker that my hubby and I had previously turned in paperwork to begin the process of becoming fparents.
I week later we were emergency certified. Actually we got the call late Friday evening! :D So the baby has been in our home for over a week now but only officially placed with us since Friday.
I have tons of questions! Can anyone offer any insite on what to expect from here? Does this mean we can foster other children? Or are we only certified for this situation/family? I plan on asking the caseworker Monday.
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We had to do the background checks, fingerprinting, home inspection and TONS;) of paperwork before the baby could be placed in our home. Now that he is here we are in the process of completing the required classes. We figured we have come this far, we may as well finish it.
I was recently made aware by the case worker that this may go from being be a "voluntary" situation to a "protective custody" situation. This would be do to things happening that shouldn't be and things that should be happening, not. But I was told that on Monday and it's nearly Thursday morning and I've heard nothing so I don't know what's going on.
The not hearing anything is very normal. It has been my experiece that I have to track down the social worker to get any information. When I do track him down, he usually says "Oh yeah, I was going to call you." Don't be afraid to remind them that you are waiting for information.
I don't know the differnece between a voluntary placement and protective custody, but I'm sure the parents will have to work some kind of case plan. I live in California, and for children under age 1, they try to get them back home within 6 months. Depending on the parents problems they may be required to go to rehab, take parenting classes, attend counseling, find a job and a safe place to live, prepare their home for a child, etc.
This website is a great resource for how things progress in foster care (ideally). It is for California, but you may be able to find one for your state.
Welcome to the roller coaster ride! [url]http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/reference/4_18fam_fc.htm[/url]
