single foster parent... Private Agency or County? Asking about your experiences + Qs

AI foster through the county (I'm in Long Island). I've adopetd 2 of my foster and am in the process of adopting my 2 youngest ones. You can't really go by social workers. The sw for my 2 older boys was great!! The one for my 2 younger ones - not so much. Difference is my 2 youngest were already TPR'd when they got to me so I didn't get monthly visits. You can pm me if you need anything else.

I'm a single foster mom and have an agency (not by choice but because my county lost workers quicker than they could get them certified to do homestudies). Its nice to have an agency because they are vry supportive, but truth be told, I would rather have the extra money. I'm not in it for the money either, but I had no clue how expensive kids really are. I have a 1 yr old and 11 yr old currently, and the daycare for the 1 yr old eats up almost the entire stipend for both kids (I still have to feed them, clothe them, entertain them and buy diapers). I spend probably $500 out of my own pocket each month to have these kids, but I've been blessed to be able to have it to spend. Before these kids I had a 9 & 12 yr old so daycare wasnt as expensive, but take the advice for what its worth

I only fostered through an agency and it was a great experience but every state is different. We talked with people fostering through our agency and that helped me see I was making the right decision. We first found the agency by going to an adoption fair and asking lots of questions. By going through the agency this is what we noticed - we were paid a little more -they also provided money for extras -they did our training one on one and we very much needed that flexibility - i loved having a liaison that was on my side - they were super nice and always concerned about us and how we were holding up The only drawback with our agency did not get many kids from our county into care so the kids we did have were form surrounding counties- LOTS of driving for visits, etc! So I'd do lots of research, find out how everything works in your state.

I go through an agency. I tried through the county, but my county has a reputation for being difficult to work with--based on my experience a well deserved reputation. I don't know about "easy" placements. I'm don't think that exists. What may be easy for you might be difficult for me, or vice versa. I didn't realize one of my placements was considered "difficult" until one of the other foster parents mentioned it and the social worker agreed! Of course, I'd have been lost with their placement. Which is the benefit of having a placement social worker who really takes the time to get to know us. But I like that with the one man operation agency I'm with, I can call the placement social worker 24/7. Oh YES!!! it is obsolutely positively important. In fact, when things went bad in once placement, I called and he came within an hour--no, "can you try this", "what if you", "can't it wait", or "no ones available right now" (I live in a different city) and he stayed with us (the child and I) all night long at the hospital. Right now, he picks up my child every day to take him to daycare. Takes time to get to know the children--and the families. More in his case, he's worked group homes and has fostered....and his children of his own. The pay is currently the state rate, but sometimes its more. Oh, I don't do the visit thing. He takes my child to visits--I don't know if that's standard or not because on my previous placements visits were not an issue. He also takes him to doctor's appointments and therapy. Though this is probably because they are in yet another city :) It works for me.

I am fostering through an agency. When I went to the information meeting with CPS, I was told by the speaker to go through an agency because it is quicker, and the state is moving get the private agencies to handle the training, and certification of foster families. My agency actually pays more than the state, which I did not find out until mid-pride class. I do have the support of my case manager. Their caseloads are much smaller and they are more accessible to me than the state's.

this is probably an old post....but will respond anyway. Get information re: your area...while I did my training to fost-adopt as my goal is adoption and not straight fostering....my county does not like working with agencies and will place with them last....this is not only limited to prospective adoptive parents. Their rationale....they feel as though they prepare people/couples better than agencies do, and they've had previous bad experiences with FFA homes in our county.... BUT....as I've read and talked with different people, this is NOT the case or scenario everywhere, and your decision needs to be made regarding where you live and the dynamics of county/agency. Good luck either way. :flower:

I agree with some of those who said that this varies greatly from place to place. One thing I haven't heard mentioned is that some agencies have rules that may be problematic for single parents. For ex: in Maine there are several agencies each with their own guidelines and style. One agency requires that at least one parent be a home parent, not working. For single parents this is generally impossible. Other agencies are more flexible. Be sure you check the requirements and attitudes of your prospective agencies regarding single parents etc. Good luck! Upbeat Mom :flower: