By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:45:10 +0000

In\ think it is more important to let unsuspecting but really caring, loving and enthustiastic foster parent recruits to get the real picture. Be prepared to face alligations and referrals. you will be guilty until proven innocent. You will have no recourse against such alligations. The state has the authority to invade your life and interview your biological children without your precence and or concent. They will require you to follow all of the rules and laws but will excuse themselves from doing the same. They will set appointments and be required to meat deadlines that will seldom be accomplished. All with no consequesnce. Foster parents are required and held accountable for all requirements, deadlines, wacs and licensing regulations. YOU WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR ANY MISTAKES, ACCIDENTS OR REFERRALS! AND YOU WILL BE GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT.
You will take these children into your life and family with all of the good intentions in the world. When you have a need you will call your social worker only to get a voice mail box that is full. If you are one of the lucky few that gets the voice mail and leave a message chances are slim to none that you will get a return call. (That’s why most mail boxes are full) Social workers do not listen to their messages let alone return phone calls! That’s ok though because they know they have placed children with competent families, until the allegations or referrals come in. Social workers are required to visit children in the home once every thirty days. Doesn’t happen! Again that is ok they are allowed to not follow protocal. They are confident in the foster home again until the investigations start. Does the social worker get interviewed or investigated regarding their contact with the family? No the social worker being a state employee is exempt. Does the social worker have knowledge of the issues the foster family is having with the child? NO because they have not listened to their voice messages and not responded to the family in need. That is ok because they are over worked and busy.
Adopting children through the state??? My advice is foster them for at least eighteen months. Be able to obtain ALL records. This is like playing the lottery. It is what it is and you are not going to get the information you need to parent these children from the state. The state does not want you to have the information you need to be able to meet the needs of the children. The state wants them off the payroll and not have someone coming back with a law suit when the almighty blow up occurs. Most children adopted through the state have huge issues and not all are visible in the beginning.
Fostering is a wonderful thing but you need to know EVERYTHING before you decide to risk you family, marriage and income because they can and most likely will all become a factor.
We have fostered for many years and the last two have become increasingly trying. We see many wonderful loving homes going through stress and difficulties that should not be happening.
Just be fully aware of what you are signing up for when you accept that first child. Be aware your life will never be the same.

Comments on: Becoming a Foster Parent in Washington (WA) State

By: Mary