Fostering??

[mamadodson]

My cousin has just started fostering, and has three beautiful siblings in her care right now, and I was thinking within a few years when we get back on our feet and our own kids are a little older that we might want to help out with fostering some children, Im wondering what the process is especially in PA if anyone knows... TIA

[queenjane]

I dont know the process in PA, but for me it went like this: I contacted an agency that i had heard good things about (you could also just get a list from the phone book or website, and call a few, get info packets etc), and called them. They sent out info as well as a list of the next training sessions. I went to the orientation where they explained the program, what type of kids, how much the stipend is, etc. Then i had to take a class (called PRIDE i think...there are several different types of the same kind of class: PRIDE, PATH, MAPP), for me it was one day a week for two or three weeks. The class went over issues kids in care might face, promoting attachment to the birthfamily, etc.

After that was over, i got a big packet of paperwork to fill out, about my history, the type of child i can foster, financial info, etc. I filled all that out and turned it in, along with three references and physical forms for myself and my son (and rabies cert. for the cats.). Once they got that and could fit me in, someone came out to the house, looked around, measured our bedrooms (number of kids i can foster is determined by square ft, must have 40 per person in the bedrooms, this varies by state), and that was about it. (When i was getting recertified, the license worker--a different one--spent more like an hour instead of ten minutes, that went more like an adoption homestudy for some reason)...basically they are looking to make sure you have running water, smoke alarms, no obvious safety hazards, etc. Not a big deal.

Right when i was in process MI changed the rules and started requiring fingerprinting, so i had to go do that (called a live scan, no ink!), again not a big deal. All that stuff was sent off (by my agency) to the state, and i got my license in the mail in January. In February i was placed with my son at three weeks old...my only placement so far!

Overall, i found getting approved very easy. Some people have had a harder time, had to make major changes to their home, etc. I guess it just depends.


Katherine

[catkendig]

I'm about half a step ahead of you and just starting the application process here in PA. It's typically county run in addition to the various private agencies. I'm going through our county personally. The process is about the same as the previous poster said: orientation meeting, BIG packet of info to fill out, pre-service training, and homestudy. Need to get a PA child abuse clearance and FBI clearance with fingerprinting. Rabies cert for pets, physicals, water test if you have a well, and 4 references. You need to get relicensed every year which includes annual water test, physicals, home visits, 10 or 12 hours of training, and renewed clearances. And of course, getting your CPR/first aid each year.