We just got home from Denver where we took our CORE foster parent training. It was 12hours and it's supposed to cover the basics to get you ready for fostering. CORE training is offered almost everywhere and I don't exactly recommend taking it at the Lowry Family Center in Denver. The trainers were kind and passionate people but I really don't feel as prepared after the training as I thought I would. They covered many "emotional" basics which I am grateful for. But, they really strayed too far away from the course material and did not cover enough of the factual, step by step information. Maybe they've been doing this a long time and they have learned that the emotional stuff is much more valuable and the other stuff you will figure out when it actually happens and/or when you read your manual.
Thankfully I did walk away with a manual (full of typos and misspellings) that I can read and get up to speed on my own. But I do feel that those trainers need to get back on track. They told way too many personal stories, which got us behind and then they even cut the class an hour early. I wrote them an honest evaluation and left it at that.
On a more postive note, the people there for the training were really diverse and it was interesting to hear why they were getting into fostering. I was happy to hear that all ages of kids were "wanted", even teenagers and kids with special needs! There was one single lady there that only wanted kids aged 16-18! Wow! And one guy who had already been placed with a deaf girl. It really was inspiring and I was quite relieved to see that not everyone wanted the same easy age group we did.
Now to wait and see if we hear anything about little man this week...
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sad But Relieved
Our homestudy went great. I was surprised at how little they inspected the house. The only place they really wanted to look at was the room the child would be using and even then they just poked their heads in. I mean, they came into the house and saw that it was clean and big enough and we have a fenced in yard, etc, etc, but there wasn't the "inspection" that I was anticipating. The only things we need to "correct" was getting plug covers and a CO2 detector. So, that was easy enough.
Then we sat down with them and they asked us loads of questions about our personal life. Which I didn't mind one bit. I actually like answering questions about myself. But they were the same questions that were on the questionaire that we turned in early in the year. Remember that packet that I said took me an hour and a half to fill out? All over again. So, that seemed redundant. And we were scheduled for 2-4pm and it went until 4:30 and when we still were not finished we ended up scheduling another visit for next week.
The sad part is that when the subject of the little man came up they said he was with family and they might need us but maybe not. I asked, "What's the chance we'll need to take him?" They said they couldn't say. The kinship situation didn't seem like it would be long term but, "You never know". I can accept that answer and after sleeping on it, I'm happy with that answer. It means that we can go to training and have time to think about all this instead of coming home and having to decide right away. This isn't something you want to rush into, even though I was wholeheartly ready to jump in with both feet.
After we talked about little man they began to tell me about a new case that just came up. A four year old girl. They made me realize that we are definitely needed. And if it's not little man it will be someone else. I'm happy with whatever happens.
Then we sat down with them and they asked us loads of questions about our personal life. Which I didn't mind one bit. I actually like answering questions about myself. But they were the same questions that were on the questionaire that we turned in early in the year. Remember that packet that I said took me an hour and a half to fill out? All over again. So, that seemed redundant. And we were scheduled for 2-4pm and it went until 4:30 and when we still were not finished we ended up scheduling another visit for next week.
The sad part is that when the subject of the little man came up they said he was with family and they might need us but maybe not. I asked, "What's the chance we'll need to take him?" They said they couldn't say. The kinship situation didn't seem like it would be long term but, "You never know". I can accept that answer and after sleeping on it, I'm happy with that answer. It means that we can go to training and have time to think about all this instead of coming home and having to decide right away. This isn't something you want to rush into, even though I was wholeheartly ready to jump in with both feet.
After we talked about little man they began to tell me about a new case that just came up. A four year old girl. They made me realize that we are definitely needed. And if it's not little man it will be someone else. I'm happy with whatever happens.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Life Backflip!
I've been busy! Right after my last post I got to do something VERY special. I hitched a ride with my caseworker as she piked up the little man from day care and delivered him to kindergarten. He's adorable, sweet, outgoing, polite... and when we dropped him off he asked, "Are you bringing that girl?" This was after she told him she's pick him up at 3. Cute! I had the opportunity to do this because my job is over in the Health and Human Services Department. I feel really lucky to have that connection through all of this. Otherwise, I'd probably be more in the dark about this boy than I am. I do know some details about him and his family, which I won't post here. Usually foster parents know very little about the family, at least that's the impression I get from other foster parents.
I've accomplished a lot in the past few days. Our guest bedroom/office has been cleared out. We decided it should be empty of any of our belongings so that the child really feels that it is their space. It's funny, we have no kid stuff though. Save for one childrens book called Thunder Cake. I don't even know what it's about but I put it in there.
I completed my first aid, which by the way you can do online at www.onlineaha.org. They do CPR too but I'm already certified. After the online test you do have to go to EMS and show them some skills you learned to get your actual card. Anthony's getting certified tonight because he prefers a real live class.
Our home study is scheduled for this Wednesday 2-4pm and they gave us the home study checklist so we could be as prepared as possible. It's amazing what they have to put on there... child must have a bed that is in a room not being used for other purposes (ie, kitchen, bathroom), home must have refridgeration, etc. So, somethings were no brainers but we did have to write up a family emergency plan. And of course there are lots of things we just want to do, to get ready.
Last but not least, our 12 hours of CORE training are this weekend. Then we'll be what they called pre-certified. Which means we can foster even though we aren't quite done yet. Then we might take in little man. Then my life will do a backflip.
I've accomplished a lot in the past few days. Our guest bedroom/office has been cleared out. We decided it should be empty of any of our belongings so that the child really feels that it is their space. It's funny, we have no kid stuff though. Save for one childrens book called Thunder Cake. I don't even know what it's about but I put it in there.
I completed my first aid, which by the way you can do online at www.onlineaha.org. They do CPR too but I'm already certified. After the online test you do have to go to EMS and show them some skills you learned to get your actual card. Anthony's getting certified tonight because he prefers a real live class.
Our home study is scheduled for this Wednesday 2-4pm and they gave us the home study checklist so we could be as prepared as possible. It's amazing what they have to put on there... child must have a bed that is in a room not being used for other purposes (ie, kitchen, bathroom), home must have refridgeration, etc. So, somethings were no brainers but we did have to write up a family emergency plan. And of course there are lots of things we just want to do, to get ready.
Last but not least, our 12 hours of CORE training are this weekend. Then we'll be what they called pre-certified. Which means we can foster even though we aren't quite done yet. Then we might take in little man. Then my life will do a backflip.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Be careful what you wish for!
Husband and I just got back from our camping trip and when I checked my messages we had a message from our caseworker. "I'd like to talk to you about a possible placement."
Wow. The last thing I have time to do right now is write a blog but I am so dang excited and hopeful I just had to blurt it out here! He's 6 years old and I'm going to meet him today. We're getting our core training done next weekend and their going to expedite our home study for this week. I'm not saying we are for sure going to do this. But the possibility is there. Crazy!
Wow. The last thing I have time to do right now is write a blog but I am so dang excited and hopeful I just had to blurt it out here! He's 6 years old and I'm going to meet him today. We're getting our core training done next weekend and their going to expedite our home study for this week. I'm not saying we are for sure going to do this. But the possibility is there. Crazy!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
But I'm a Saint!
Everybody acts like I'm a saint when I tell them I want to foster. I guess it's not a total stretch because it's a job that most people won't do and it has the potential to save a person's life. But I really don't think it will be that bad. I mean, I myself plan to enjoy it. So.... I can't say it would be the most unselfish thing I will ever do. What I'm trying to say is that I'm doing it for ME, as much as I'm doing it for the kids. But, it IS nice, the way people respond. The attitudes they've had towards my news have been so encouraging and supportive... until now.
I was recently at a dance party when a small child showed up on the dance floor. This lady that I know turns to me and says, "When are you and Husband gonna have kids?"
Smiling ear to ear I replied, "We are actually going through the process of becoming foster parents!"
Waiting for the ususal, "Oh that is so wonderful! You guys will be great at that!", instead I got this response: "WHAT, CAN YOU NOT GET PREGNANT?"
Trying to keep this awkward question from phasing me, I joked, "We're not even sure if we want to have kids, so were just gonna test them out!"
She then proceeded to school me on how fostering is NOT the same as having your own children and asked me to promise her that I would not use my experience fostering to decide whether or not to have biological children.
How rude. That's all I have to say.
I was recently at a dance party when a small child showed up on the dance floor. This lady that I know turns to me and says, "When are you and Husband gonna have kids?"
Smiling ear to ear I replied, "We are actually going through the process of becoming foster parents!"
Waiting for the ususal, "Oh that is so wonderful! You guys will be great at that!", instead I got this response: "WHAT, CAN YOU NOT GET PREGNANT?"
Trying to keep this awkward question from phasing me, I joked, "We're not even sure if we want to have kids, so were just gonna test them out!"
She then proceeded to school me on how fostering is NOT the same as having your own children and asked me to promise her that I would not use my experience fostering to decide whether or not to have biological children.
How rude. That's all I have to say.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Not So Fast
For anyone considering fostering in the state of Colorado here are the training requirements per my caseworker. I'm posting them here to help others but also to give myself a quick reference. I did get some good news the other day. The 18 hours of training I took for my new NPP position counts towards my foster care training. Yippee!
The first training that is required by the State is CORE training. That is 12 hrs. To get your pre-certification, you need CORE plus 15 hrs of training. (Such as the training on Parenting Strategies for Challenging Children by the Butler Institute that is coming to Gunnison in April) 12+15=27 hrs of training out of the way.
So, once you have had 12 hrs of state sponsored CORE training and 15 hrs of county training, such as through the pot lucks, and any other scheduled trainings, you will have your precertification.
For the first 3 months of your license, that is the only required training other than 1st aid and CPR. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to count CPR and 1st Aid for their hours the first year of certification. We can in consecutive years, but for some reason, they dont let us the first year.
After that, you need 20 hrs of training your first year. So, the first year is pretty intense, because you actually need 47 hours of training. 6 of that comes from reading our Policies and Procedures Manual, on your own time. So, we make it happen, but it is a lot of hours.
So we have our Core training planned for April in Denver. I'm pretty sure that we'll be precertified by summer but my caseworker tells me there aren't any local kids waiting for a foster home right now. Things could change and we could get placed right away or it could be several months. I don't want to rush anything, but I really hope we get to do it sooner than later.
The first training that is required by the State is CORE training. That is 12 hrs. To get your pre-certification, you need CORE plus 15 hrs of training. (Such as the training on Parenting Strategies for Challenging Children by the Butler Institute that is coming to Gunnison in April) 12+15=27 hrs of training out of the way.
So, once you have had 12 hrs of state sponsored CORE training and 15 hrs of county training, such as through the pot lucks, and any other scheduled trainings, you will have your precertification.
For the first 3 months of your license, that is the only required training other than 1st aid and CPR. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to count CPR and 1st Aid for their hours the first year of certification. We can in consecutive years, but for some reason, they dont let us the first year.
After that, you need 20 hrs of training your first year. So, the first year is pretty intense, because you actually need 47 hours of training. 6 of that comes from reading our Policies and Procedures Manual, on your own time. So, we make it happen, but it is a lot of hours.
So we have our Core training planned for April in Denver. I'm pretty sure that we'll be precertified by summer but my caseworker tells me there aren't any local kids waiting for a foster home right now. Things could change and we could get placed right away or it could be several months. I don't want to rush anything, but I really hope we get to do it sooner than later.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Still Standing
In my quest for knowledge about what it's like to be a foster parent I've read several times that dealing with case workers can be a pain. Not because they aren't wonderful, hardworking people but because they are overworked and underpaid. Foster parents claim that their caseworkers are difficult to get ahold of and there's lots of turn over. I'm getting a taste of that problem already.
We've had our application paperwork in for over a month now and were just waiting patiently for our homestudy since our caseworker told us that was the next order of business. I got antsy the other day and so I sent an email to my caseworker and now she tells me I have to do training before I can do the homestudy. She apologized and explained that she is so swamped that I slipped through the cracks.
That really makes me sad because I've been waiting around for a long time and if I had I known that I would have already completed my training by now. My caseworker is one of 2 in my county. There are supposed to be four. It's really sad that there are people like me who are eager to foster but are delayed by lack of funding for caseworkers.
So, I've registered for the next training which isn't until April 23rd. Which by the way is free and they pay your hotel and mileage. That was good news at least! Then we'll do the homestudy and then hopefully shorly after we'll be placed with a child. Both Husband and I are really eager to start this new adventure.
We've had our application paperwork in for over a month now and were just waiting patiently for our homestudy since our caseworker told us that was the next order of business. I got antsy the other day and so I sent an email to my caseworker and now she tells me I have to do training before I can do the homestudy. She apologized and explained that she is so swamped that I slipped through the cracks.
That really makes me sad because I've been waiting around for a long time and if I had I known that I would have already completed my training by now. My caseworker is one of 2 in my county. There are supposed to be four. It's really sad that there are people like me who are eager to foster but are delayed by lack of funding for caseworkers.
So, I've registered for the next training which isn't until April 23rd. Which by the way is free and they pay your hotel and mileage. That was good news at least! Then we'll do the homestudy and then hopefully shorly after we'll be placed with a child. Both Husband and I are really eager to start this new adventure.
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