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Hi! DH & I are going through the process of becoming foster parents. We're in Tippecanoe County.
Could you please share advice for new foster parents? Things you wish you had known? Things you weren't prepared for? Experiences with your training, case workers, and the system in general?
Thanks!
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It's slow. It's frustrating. You will spend lots of your own money . . . But it's so worth it. The kids parents are people too, treat them like they are and it tends to go smoother. The kids seeing you interact makes them feel better about leaving with you. You will be surprised how quickly most adapt to being in your home. Be very careful about what situations you are willing to accept, what "issues" you can handle. Love them while they are there and yes it will hurt when they leave. It's an unbelievable feeling walking out of DCS with a child you have never met before.
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I will second the ones from above and add:
1. When people tell you that you have to be patient, add six thousand times of more patients past that.
2. Prepare for when it feels like time is crawling that it will all of a sudden speed up and you will have a thousand and one things to do.
3. Every caseworker and case manager is different. Try your best to not hold the frustration of one against all of them. (trust me by your 50th call it is easier said then done).
Most of all go with your gut. If something doesn't seem right ask a million and one questions until you have the answers you need.
Good luck!
I have always said it is the best and the worst thing I have ever signed up for.
I agree with what the others have said.
Listen to what the judge has to say. He is the one who actually makes things happen.
DCS changes the rules all the time.
The bio parents need you as much as the kids do.
Best of luck fostering :)
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It went well. He asked lots of in-depth questions about our childhoods all the way up to the present, who frequents our home, who our child care provider is, etc. He told us a few things we still need to do to our home (child locks on doors, window blind cord covers, booster seat, etc., which I thought was odd since we're requesting 8 years and older - oh well). We were all comfortable with each other and it wasn't nerve racking.
shininglight71
It went well. He asked lots of in-depth questions about our childhoods all the way up to the present, who frequents our home, who our child care provider is, etc. He told us a few things we still need to do to our home (child locks on doors, window blind cord covers, booster seat, etc., which I thought was odd since we're requesting 8 years and older - oh well). We were all comfortable with each other and it wasn't nerve racking.