How to get Started with fostering.

The first thing in most states is get in touch with your local Social Service Center.

They will put you in touch with who deals with this and explain what it intails.

You will have to do a 6 week course usually every Saturday or different states have different ways this coures adds up to hours which is called MAPP Class once you complete this which you must do as a couple you will be certified.

Then your case worker will also do clearance on you (ie) Fingerprints and application. A Home study is then done this determines how many children may stay in your home and they check for the safety concerns in the home.

The case worker will go over the ages you are willing to accept.

You also must remember if you want to be  Foster Parents or Foster Adoptive Parents these are different applications  and very important when applying.

If You are just interested in fostering children will be placed with you for numerous reasons ----- May be Mom is sick / Parents may be in trouble/ Parent or parents too young/Drugs / the really does go on.

If you want to adopt it gets a little more difficult not all children are freed but may be in the future this is all decided by the courts and does not always happen therefore you may thing a child is being freed and then things may change.

There is alot to consider when you decide to foster It should not be taken lightly at all.

These children need lots of love and have 80% of the time a lot of problems and have been through alot. They dont just move in and everything is normal.

So please be 100% sure that this is for you and your family.

I hope this helps I will answer any questions at any time and the group.

Deirdre