Let's talk training in Indiana!

I'm not sure what Nuts and Bolts is but the title intrigued me so I think we are taking that one this month.I'm waiting for clarification on the same thing.

Hey, I may be able to help with this one. Since I have been working on getting this figured out for 2 weeks. Between me and other FP friend we have asked lots of questions. She has actually talked to training supervisor. Yes, because Indiana DCS is now doing all the training you can take the classes in whatever region you would like. We won't be able to take any other classes and earn CEU from places like Villages, Children's Bureau, Indiana Mentor's group, Rainbow Kids support groups, etc. I don't know but I am thinking that it may be a lot like the New Foster Parents class that Paula Johnson used to teach a DCS. Where they go over current DCS policy, procedures, handbook, etc. I think my friend is planning on taking this class 8/23 so if no one else finds out before then I can check with her what it was about. My FP friend talked to coordinator about this. They are working on adding more class topics. But are starting with a few since this is so new to everyone. My friend did say that the person doing the training in our area was really good. There is basically going to be just a couple people in each region doing training. I was also disappointed to find once they register you to the Foster Parent College for alternate free training then you can only take the class DCS wants you to take. You are blocked from taking any other classes. So this years class is ABUSE and NEGLECT .... I am so tired of taking only abuse and neglect classes. It's not required to use this as alternate inservice class though. So if you have an account and are okay paying for the classes you want DO NOT have them transfer your account. There were several classes from them I wanted to take that now I am blocked from. I did talk to the Rep from FPC that is working with Indiana and she said that she thought more classes would open over time but they just are offering one class right now. The new hour requirement start after your annual review this year. Mine is in October so I only need the 10 hours this year then Oct. 2011-2012 I will have to get the 15 hours. If you are still current then you are ok. We were due to renew our First Aid/CPR/UP before our annual review. There is a coupon code to use when registering to take this class if you didn't get them from your homefinder You can pm me and I can send you the codes. It was really pretty simple. Much easier than getting into a CPR class. There are coupon codes when registering to take CPR class from Red Cross too. I did talk to Gail and she is really going to work at letting the State know and trying to get more CPR classes added or at least point us in direction of how to get the CPR classes. If we don't take from American Red Cross, DCS will not pay or reimburse. Talked to Gail too about the max number change. It really is effecting sibling placements right now she said they have lost over 100 spots for kids and the newsletter said they lost 11 foster families last month. Hope this saves you a few frustrating hours.

Thanks dalynn, you're an angel. I thought Nuts and Bolts sounded like Paula's class, too. Even though, i'm not new. I took it in Nov. I may try to sign Stretch up for it.If we don't have our acct. Switched at FPC and continue to pay ourselves, can we still use that as our training hours? I hope so.

According to our homefinder yes. Any class from FPC can still be used for alternate training they just won't pay for any class you want. Free class is classes of DCS choice. I may set up a 2nd acct since there are some really good class that will help me in my situation. Also they are going to accept dual certificates so both you and your husband can be on same certificate. You pay for both of you but you can do them together if you want. Confirmed this with homefinder, Tiffany (training scheduler) and the FPC rep. I've been on the phone a bunch this week. Angie

I just checked certificates and Stretch all ready has 10 hours. I have 9 so I may just find a class I'm interested in at FPC and take that.

I got CPR/1st Aid/UP last fall, but the Resource Parent newsletter said specifically that UP was to be taken yearly. I was hoping that wouldn't take effect until 2012 also.

Yes, they did lose 11 families, but did you notice there were 11 new families so they must not be hurting that badly. I was hoping that they would need us, but I'm beginning to wonder. We significantly increased our age range, but we can only take one. Are you willing to take siblings? That should really help when you are ready to take another. We've kind of put the fleece out. If we don't get a placement by the time Nick's adoption is final probably Dec. and we can afford it, we're going to go with Safe Families for Children. We like the fact that it's a Christian org and that it is short term for the most part. We'd love to do respite, but they don't do that in Marion Co.

I saw they added but from Gail's tone they are hurting. When I talked to Cindy from Villages it sounded like several Marion Co. people had called and were thinking about switching. Since we have the room we could up our license to 5. But I am slowly trying to switch from being a daycare home to a foster care only home. So I can never have anymore than 5 in my home at one time. We;ve been doing gradually as we can afford honestly. Daycare is a guaranteed income but our hearts are to do foster care. I also have had a couple daycare kids that are TOUGH. Thankfully the worse of the 2 is going to kindergarten and we may have mom find other care for other one. So we are going to open first to sib sets of 2 and entertain the calls for 3. KWIM So probably will only up license to 4 so I can keep an extra room. I've never heard of Safe Families. I would consider privage agency but really trying to do mostly 0-5 and would like to do medical fragile/special needs primarily. Now we will keep active with DCS bc they expect bmom to continue having babies and we would get the call. She has been averaging one a year. Bmom is the oldest of 7 and her and all sibs grew up in system. Seems history is being repeated but at least her kids are going to perm homes. So sad. Complete God thing we actually have the sibling to a casual (getting closer) friends adopted daughters. They didn' know we were even FP but the didn't take our little guy and we were placed. It really neat that they get to spend time together. And God seems to really be working at blending our families. So both of our families hearts are to keep as many of these sibling and expected siblings together.

My kids have two siblings. We have a relationship with one, but not the other. Except for the four year old who doesn't understand, we all grieve for the one we don't know. We were still licensed when she came into care, but they didn't call us. We found out about her by accident when our 4 year old was a baby. It was a God thing. I have her adoptive mom's email, but she doesn't want her to know us. It makes us sad, but we're praying that there is a change. You are doing the right thing making sure there is a relationship. The older my girls get the more important that is.Safe Families is not a private agency as in The Villages. It works with families going through crises that don't have a support system. Parents do not lose custody and can have their kids can go home whenever they want. Most crises are homelessness or medical issues. There is no monetary reimbursement. It is just opening your family to a guest for awhile.Is tomorrow the big day?

Yep, tomorrow is the big day at least that is the plan. Bmom could possibly show and they continue it but CW doesn't expect her to and thinks it will TPR. CW and I were talking this is the first time Bmom case will close but she expects her to have more. She was saying how she hopes that if any more kids come into care that she gets the case. I know her heart is for them to stay together. But truthfully its in God's hands. Thanks for the encouragement about keeping this sibling relationship together. So many people outside of the Foster Care/ adoption world think we are making a huge mistake and think we will ruin their lives. Both other adopted parents and us believe that if we are honest with them and build on the truth then God will help us with the details. The girls know he is their brother and the oldest talks about him non stop. Since he is little we only get together ever couple months but I can see more as he gets older and can play. We are planning family photos this fall with the 3 of them, their family, our family and one of all of us. We even talk about vacations as they get older, we'll see. We are open to God building the relationship but being pretty cautious too.

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