Transportation

[Julia07]

My husband and I live in Cambridge, MA where it is very easy to get around without a car. We use public transit, bikes, and walking for everything we need.

In a few years, we tentatively plan to adopt from foster care. I know there will be lots of appointments involved. Would it be crazy to continue not owning a car? One option would be to rent a Zipcar when we need to, which would be about $7 an hour. I just don't know if there are going to be so many appointments that it would make more sense to own a car for a few years.

Has anyone else tried this?

[Polliwog]

I've never had kids with lots of appointments so I'm not sure I'll be a huge help. But, all of our doctors/dentists/therapists are within a few miles of here. Our county isn't that big and we've got free city bus service. For foster care-related things, I'd be fine without a car if I didn't have one.

A lot depends on the needs of each individual child (of course,) the rules of your area (some places require FPs to have a car,) and if you'd be expected to transport for visits. Our visits at our county's DSS office which is just a few miles from my house. Yours might be much farther away.

How old of a child do you want to foster and potentially adopt?

[marsupial-mom]

I used Zipcar for a while. I had almost all positive experiences. I think it's totally doable for you.

[pixiekisses]

We don't have a car, and we don't want one.
We've been foster parents for 6 years, and it's never been a problem.
We've kept some kids, and also done emergency care. And we are a special needs home, as in most of the kids we have are SN, and one bio. child is too.

[queenjane]

I've had my fs since july and he's had one doctor's appt (due for another soon), and thats it as far as appointments. We do have to go to the agency each week for visitation.

I think you'll be fine.

[Sierra]

Just double-check on agency requirements. We were living happily car free in Seattle when we discovered WA regulations require foster parents to have a vehicle. I now live in MA as well, and I think it would be absolutely ridiculous for licensing in a place like Cambridge to be restricted to those with a car, but crazier things have been required.

[pumpkingirl71]

Originally Posted by Sierra

I think it would be absolutely ridiculous for licensing in a place like Cambridge to be restricted to those with a car, but crazier things have been required.

You mean like being rejected for not having a bathmat? We were able to fix the problem for $4.99, so it was fine. To aswer the real question, I meet a lot of other foster and adoptive parents through bringing my daughter to therapy in Waltham and I have notices a few parents using public transportation. That doesn't mean they don't have cars, but are able to get to appointments without one. I woudl just give the Cambridge DCF office a call. I am sure they would be able to give you a quick, simple answer.