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My husband and I recently sat through a group engagement recruitment session to foster in NJ. Afterwards, we were left feeling that perhaps there is not a need for us. Let me explain...
We would like to foster children under our daughters' age. We have 2-year old twin girls and so were interested in fostering infant-2 years old. I was particularly interested in fostering infants who were exposed to drugs. (We're open to adopting if that becomes the case, but happy just to foster as well).
When we asked if there was a need for people to foster in that area, we were kind of brushed off and told that the major need is from 5-8 and that we could specify 0-2 but would be fielding phone calls from facilitators regularly for children that did not match our criteria.
Has that been your experience as well? Are we wasting our time if we want to foster 0-2? Should we just wait a few more years until our children are older?
Thanks!
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what county are you in? I am in camden county and I can tell you that we started out saying 0-6/girls only. They are correct in that you will field calls about all ages/genders b'c they are hoping you will say yes to whatever they call for. However, I definitely do NOT think you are not needed! We currently have a drug exposed infant who is a half sibling of a placement we had who was 2 when we got her. Of our 17 placements, 5 have been under the age of 2 and I turned down MANY other placements for younger children b'c our beds were all full. So I wouldn't stop your journey. I would just say from experience: stick to what you want. If you only want infants, do that. It may take a while for them to remember to not call you for an 8yr old, but it will work out.
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same county...yes...definitely. In camden county there are four local offices...they don't necessarily keep them in the same local office area, but if a child has to go to a different county, that is extremely rare... best of luck! We have been fostering almost 2 yrs (in November) and have really had for the most part very positive experiences...
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No you are not wasting your time. I too live in NJ. My wife and I have fostered 5 Kids in that age range. Although our goal has been to adopt we have received the placements. You have to call the local offices near you and let them know you plans. That what i have done and currently we have a 1 year old girl and a 2 year old boy. We are trying to meet requires from the inspection to get there 3 year old sister so we can adopt them all. If you inbox me you email address I will forward you a listing I made with the local offices.
I don't think you are wasting your time either. I am also in Camden county and have been fostering for almost 2 years and we've had a 2 year old, 4 month old, 5 week old and now a 16 month old (some included siblings, some did not). I know Salem county is less populated but I also know that if homes cannot be found in other counties, they will look a county over or so (like here they will take kids to Burlington Co., if the need arises). It does not hurt to be on the list!
You are not wasting your time. We specified 0-2 and have subsequently fostered then eventually adopted our daughter who was 4 months only when we first received her and then a couple of years later we received a newborn safe haven baby to adopt. While younger children are easier to place, you need to do what is best for your child/family. Your resource worker should understand and respect this, even if means you want a younger child without a lot of health issues. It might take longer and it also might help to tell your worker that you want to foster to adopt because typically if there is a chance a younger child will be adopted out they would want the child to stay with one family and not jump from one foster family to a different adoptive family. Good luck.
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bigdaddy2348
No you are not wasting your time. I too live in NJ. My wife and I have fostered 5 Kids in that age range. Although our goal has been to adopt we have received the placements. You have to call the local offices near you and let them know you plans. That what i have done and currently we have a 1 year old girl and a 2 year old boy. We are trying to meet requires from the inspection to get there 3 year old sister so we can adopt them all. If you inbox me you email address I will forward you a listing I made with the local offices.
