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Hello all, I've really enjoyed browsing this forum and feel as if there are so many caring people here!
I'm located in Indiana and am just at the very beginning stages of fostering, ideally fostering to adopt... so of course I'm full of many mixed emotions, concerns and lots of hope.
I've felt this tug on my heart for a long time now, but wanted to wait until my own daughter was out of high school and that time has come!
I am a single parent, having raised my daughter from day one by myself (surrounded by lots of supportive family and friends.) I truly have a mother's heart and feel as if God wants me to do this! My daughter is also very supportive and wants to be involved.
My biggest concern is the financial end and being a working parent. I will be able to take some time off as needed for fostering, but my greatest concern becomes daycare if we have a little one not in school.
Also, I am considering going with a private agency vs the local county agency. I know this may limit my placements, but I feel good in knowing they do more training and are more choosey about their placements. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Anway, I have a bazillion questions and just wanted to stop in and maybe find some new friends/mentors especially in Indiana!
Unlike some, I'm absolutely in no hurry for this to happen. I want to make sure absolutely everything is in order, I am making the absolute right decision, and am ready for emotional rollar coaster I know we are stepping into.
Thanks for being out there and showing how much this all means to you, it's very humbling and gives me hope!
Welcome to the exciting world of fostering! It is a really wild ride!
We are with the county now, having been a therapeutic home previously. There are pros and cons to each and only you know what is best for you.
Depending on your area the kids placed in agency homes may have a higher level of needs or for other reasons be harder to place. Yes, there may be fewer placements, again depending on your area.
The pros tend to be a more family feel with your case workers and fellow foster families. And with some you will have additional resources for you or you foster kids.
As for finances, as a therapeutic home your placements will likely have a higher per diem rate, but then you have additional appointments that can counter balance that.
If you feel uncertain about day care expenses you can specify only school aged children. It might be a good place to test the waters. Of course in summer it wouldn't make Much difference what age child you accept.
Yes, it can be an emotional roller coaster, but I believe it's worth every second!
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Hi there!
My husband and I are new as well, having just completed all of our RAPT classes this week! Waiting on CPR and our homestudy in the middle of July.
I don't have any experience or good opinions for ya, but just wanted to say HI and WELCOME!
We live in indianapolis. In perry township.
We would love to meet foster parents that been fostering and people in process of doing this. I want to foster children between ages newborn-6 years old also that have Special Needs.
anybody can write to me and maybe meet each other.
I am 27 years old.
We already finished Rapt 1,2 and 3. We have Rapt 4 to do online. Also I want to adopt so need to take those classes. I will need to take Cpr and first aid,Finger print,and make sure to have things we need.
As a single mom myself, daycare is the reason I am not fostering at this time. at 18.28/day, I cannot work and pay for daycare for an additional child. CCDF vouchers last year had a 2 year wait list for fosters, they will tell you fosters are at the top of the list, that is not true. DCS is reluctant to do referrals for CCDF these days and there is no longer any such thing as a priority referral. Anyone on Foodstamps is at the top of the list.
There was recently a mass enrollment that took about 800 families off the waiting list. It had 3500 families on the waiting list prior.
I would advise you that if you cannot afford daycare or find someone reliable and safe to watch the child for near the $18/day per diem, you are in a bind . . .