Is there a place to get the facts?

Well since you'll be dealing with the SCC I can answer some of your questions. Renting vs owning doesn't matter. We own, but there were plenty of people in our MAPP class that rented. Board rates are a mystery to us. We currently have a 1yr old and 2yr old and they don't receive the same amount. They get roughly 450 a month, then once a year you get a clothing allowance. Older kids get a higher board rate. Yes it's true in Florida that they will only allow 5 kids in your home. Exceptions can be made on a case by case basis. You can only have 2 children under the age of two. If I remember correctly, each child needs to have 40 sq feet of living space in a room. Children of the same sex can share a room. I'm assuming you'll be going through MAPP classes once you get to FL? If so they're 10 weeks, I don't believe the SCC offers an accelerated course, which I wouldn't recommend anyways. They'll cover all the basics, and you will have a TON of paperwork to complete. If the SCC Sarasota is anything like Pinellas, even when you're through with MAPP it may take some time to get licensed. It was close to 4 months AFTER MAPP when we were finally licensed. Don't be surprised if you're only licensed for 1 or 2 children initially. They don't want to burn you out, and normally they'll wait until the 6 month mark to license you for more children. We've been fostering now for just under a year, and though we have plenty of room in our home they only licensed for 2. But I'm happy to say we'll be getting our foster sons 7 month old baby brother this afternoon. We'll have 3 under 3 and 3 in diapers... we're crazy but we're loving every minute of it! Again, if you have more questions just shout I'm always reading up and getting advice and suggestions on this site. Good luck.

Thank you so much! You've provided me a wealth of information. :) Congrats on the new addition - how exciting! I don't think 3 under 3 is crazy at all, but I may not be the best judge having been labelled "crazy" myself. ;)I know too well the hurry up and WAIT. We have already been all the way through the classes, background checks, physicals, 30+ pages of personal info, and more for GA. We will happily do it all again for the kids, though. Do you know if there is a period of time that must pass as new residents before we can apply to be FPs? I feel like GA has a 6 mos residency period, but I could have dreamt that.

I'm not sure if there is a waiting period or not. It really doesn't make any sense, however they do ask for neighbor references so who knows if that has anything to do with it. I mean it's not like you'll know everyone around you immediately when you move, but the system and it's reasonings never surprise me anymore. They are in desperate need of foster parents in pinellas, so bad they're transporting kids to other counties so I wouldn't think they'd make you wait. Who the heck knows :-) Good luck and keep us posted, and if you think of any other questions just shout.

Hi~ I just wanted to welcome you to the Florida board. I wish it would get more active too! We recently moved here in August to Sarasota County. Before that we lived in Pa for 1 1/2 years and while there we became certified as foster parents but never had the chance to take in our bio sons friend who is 13. We had him for several weekends and he was just getting ready to move in with us ---when our house sold and we had to leave him behind. We had to get an ICPC (interstate compact) in place so we could "hurry" and get M here with us. Now, Fla. might have not pushed a 6mth time frame because of the ICPC but we were in Mapp classes 3 weeks after moving here. They "hurried" the process along as quick as they could. We took the 10 week class and were licensed in Dec. Although the ICPC still has yet to reach Pa! We were able though to have M come here for Christmas and then they extended the visit and now have officially let him stay knowing the ICPC was mailed and is coming to them someday. As far as neighbor references, we were able to use neighbors from 2 years ago. We lived in Fla. for 10 years before our move to Pa. Since where we are living now - no one knew us well enough to give a reference. The process is slow but it does give the entire family used to the idea of becoming a foster family. We also have 3 bio children ---and although our oldest son initiated this, it's still a big adjustment to them all. Take care and best wishes!

Thank you, lvmykidz! My MIL in FL is trying to get her grand neice - DH's cousin's DD(clear as mud, right) - that is in the custody of the state in CT. The girl is currently living w/ her g-ma, but g-ma doesn't want her. :( MIL didn't believe me when I said that the interstate stuff takes FOREVER. Yep, it's taking forever. (She think everything is going to be sunshine and roses when grand neice gets there. She won't listen to me about the emotional issues that the child could have from being raised as she was. Sorry to ramble, no one IRL can relate to my frustration.)We're moving down this weekend, so I will be MIA for a little while. Keep anymore good info coming. :) Thanks!