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Hi, I'm new to this board and my husband and I are taking DYFS classes. I am confused about the forum rules regarding specific agencies, so if you need to PM me your replies instead of posting them here, please do.
We've had good and not so good DYFS experiences so far. Good with the initial info session and our class teacher, not so good with the CW assigned and I am trying to get her changed. That is, if her supervisor ever returns my call. We are just starting the licensing process.
We are looking to adopt, not foster. We will go up to 8 or 9 years old and siblings are fine. Any and all experiences you guys have had and would like to share with DYFS are appreciated. Thanks very much.
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A lot depends on the office you're working out of and your workers. When you say "case worker" you probably mean your "resource worker," as a case worker is assigned to a child and a resource worker is assigned to a family.Being open to sibs and older kids is great. You will probably not wait very long once licensed. Get as much education about possible trauma related issues that children may have. With the right education and training, you can properly prepare yourself for what may lie ahead.Congratulations on starting the process, and welcome!
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Thank you :)
sandysis
A lot depends on the office you're working out of and your workers. When you say "case worker" you probably mean your "resource worker," as a case worker is assigned to a child and a resource worker is assigned to a family.
Being open to sibs and older kids is great. You will probably not wait very long once licensed. Get as much education about possible trauma related issues that children may have. With the right education and training, you can properly prepare yourself for what may lie ahead.
Congratulations on starting the process, and welcome!
I had to think about whether I want to further identify myself by naming the county, in case these workers read these boards. But, ya know what, no one bothers to call me back so what the heck.
I'm in Passaic County. Thanks for any info you would like to share.
kikismom
Can you tell us what county you are in. Then maybe one of us can answer some of your questions better.
Are you going in to be a foster/adopt home, or are you going to be looking to be placed with a child who is already freed for adoption?
If your looking to be a foster/adopt home...prepare your self for a rollercoaster ride....of visitation schedules, it can look like its going to reunification one day, and then then next look like adoption (for several months or longer).
If your stricly looking for children freed for adoption, think about why the previous foster parents chose not to adopt? Was it becuase they stricly wanted to be foster parents? or was it becuase the child had a lot of behavioral/emotional problems that they couldnt commit to forever.
Read a lot and educate yourself....i like the book, "parenting the hurt child" and "another place at the table"
Prepare yourself to be not given much information about birth parents or the childs life before coming to your...some times your given information...some times your not.
Prepare yourself for ALOT of appointments...because often times kids in care have tons! Visits with mom, visits with dad, therapy, family therapy, play therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, bonding evalutaions, psychological evaluations ect ect ect.
Get to know some mental health disorders that often times children in care have...ODD, ADHA, RAD, to be prepared.
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Hi helpfula, thank you for you reply. We are just starting the process, honestly we are not sure but probably a child who is already free to adopt. Thank you for your book recommendations ... our teacher talked about counseling appts too. I just can't believe what some of these kids have been through.It looks like our scheduling conflicts have been worked out. We're hoping for a smooth ride, and are pretty excited!