Foster parenting info/experiences: where to start?

CubbyMama

I've always been interested in the idea of being a foster parent, but DH is wary of how taking in children with troubled backgrounds could potentially put our girls at risk, since you never know what children were exposed to in their previous homes. We definitely can't do it right Joe, but where would be a good place to start with just basic questions and experiences--good blogs or resources? Thanks so much!

MayDayGirl

I guess where you start depends on the state you live in.  We live in IL but are moving to WI so have just recently been going through the process of getting all the info for WI foster care.  I just googled to get the number for the foster care cordinator for our county.

Also FWIW we have a 2 year old and in the last 1.75 years we have had 7 other kids come in and not one of them was a threat to our son or family.  Had they been we wouldn't have taken them in.

I think you will find that is pretty much the normal experience on this board.

 

come*on*baby

It might be the normal experience on the board, but it's not every foster parents' experience.

As a foster parent, I know when children are first removed and placed into foster care, 99% of the time the CW most likely won't know to what extent of abuse the children have been in, the situations they've faced, etc. You will find that when you're called for a placement, the CW has little to know information about them, unless they've been in the system before. 

psuash7

I actually am a casemanager (for 4.5 years) and soon to to be recruiter for a Foster Care and Adoption agency.  I can probably help you with any specific question you have so feel free to ask away! 

mysticl

I worked for a therapeutic foster care/parental placement adoption agency for over 7 years.  I was a case manager, foster home developer, crisis intervention trainer, etc. so I can answer a lot of questions too.