Starting our classes tonight

So do you have to get fully licensed? Or does everyone do the MAPP classes? That's good you are getting started! Will show them you are working towards moving him down here. And I love seeing the FM being so nice to allow him time with you. We had such resistance it was crazy!!! Not until we got our niece's CASA (GAL) on our side did the tables turn in our favor.

I am not sure if I have to be fully licensed but the lady said that DH and I had to take the MAPP classes. Maybe because both my sister and the biodad still has rights? I got to sit in on the MDT this afternoon. My sister didn't sign her rights over just yet but she said she still plans on doing it. Biodad is thinking about signing his rights over too, he has never had a thing to do with my nephew, has beat the bleep out of my sister and has said he wanted to kill my nephew. I told them this today when I was on the phone during the MDT meeting. Biodad was late to this meeting, had been drinking beer, and is still wanting WV to place my nephew with his exwife just because my nephew has 2 half brothers there. Not going to happen! That lady lives in a one bedroom apt, doesn't send her youngest (13) to school and her oldest (15) got in trouble for making a home made bomb. My nephew's FM is great. I have her cell number and can call her anytime and she has my number on speed dial so my nephew can call me anytime he wants. She is really helping me as much as she can trying to walk me through this process the best she can since states vary. She is going to be the one to bring my nephew to the airport next month. I fly up to BWI in june to get him and then will fly him back in July. I am just so happy we get to have him down here in Florida with us for three weeks. FM said she thinks that after I bring him back she can talk them into letting me have him in Aug for the two weeks that we will be in Pa.

You should ask the agency/CW what type of care you will be providing...Kinship Care or Foster Care because it does matter. In Kinship care you would get less money each month...depending upon the circumstances and less assistance is available. That varies I believe so I would ask those questions to the agency first. I'm thinking they are going to have to do a home study? Did WV mention that needed to be done?

Yes, we need a homestudy and background checks done. I am almost sure it will be kinship care and then adoption.

I'm not familiar with kinship care....how does that work and do you get the same monthly stipend and medicaid for the child?

Will find out Monday when I call SW. I never even thought to ask these questions. I am just so lost with all this and excited to be having my nephew. I feel as if I am going in all different directions at the same time. I didn't even think about a monthly stipend or medicaid but I would think he would get the medicaid at least, but I don't know for sure.

I wish you the best! I know we were excited to when we started the process but found out it can be a lengthy process and very frustrating. Just don't let them beat around the bush or lead you on like they did us...and keep on top of them. Log everything! We logged all our phone calls and trips to Idaho in a journal and that helped when we needed an attorney or when we contacted the Governor's office. I just hope you get better luck then we had and nobody holds anything up!