Our new family members have arrived

We have been a licensed foster family since the end of March 2013.  So, our new adventure is just beginning.  In order to get licensed we had to locate an agency (public or private) to work with, we had to submit an application with multiple references for approval, we had to attend many hours of training, we had to be finger printed – including Kassi, we had to have a home fire inspection, and we had to have a home study done.  Once we completed one step, it was on to the next until all the requirements were met and we were approved for licensing. 

We decided to go with a private agency in our community instead of the local children services agency.  Private agencies work with numerous surrounding county agencies to help place children in care; which means we are more accessible to multiple counties.  Our agency likes to start off new foster families with what is called alternative care, formerly known as respite; kind of a precursor or warm-up to a full-time placement.  Alternative care is what a foster family seeks when an emergency happens or they need to take care of something and the foster placement can’t be a part of.  Sometimes foster families need a mini break to regroup and reconnect with their own biological children and alternative care gives the foster family that chance to reconnect or recharge.   We have had a few, four to be exact, respite placements.  We have had them for one night up to four nights.  We have received many calls about referrals, and our home just hadn’t been a match – until now.

One afternoon last week, I took a call from our agency for a referral.  After discussing the potential placement, it was agreed to submit our home.  Believe it or not, within minutes she phoned back to let me know we received our first placement.  Talk about an array of emotions.  The kids and I were on our way home from spending the day at the waterpark when we got the news.  When she called to let me know we had our first placement, I was surprised, nervous, scared, and a little uncertain.  With alternative care, we know when the child will arrive and we know when the child will leave.  Which I might add, every time those little ones had to leave, our kiddos were wanting them to stay, but they also understood those little guys were already placed in a foster home where they were receiving the love and care they needed.  With our first placement, as with any placement, we don’t know how long these little ones will be with us. 

I, well, all of us are still shocked at how things unfold; especially, our experiences with alternative care.  When our agency makes arrangements for alternative care, they select families that have space and are open to specific age, gender, race, etc., and then the foster parents get in contact with one another once the alternative care home is identified.  Then we- both sets of foster parents- meet somewhere, ideally a centrally located parking lot, and we sign some papers and they send the child with us.  Now, I don’t know about your kiddos, but ours would get upset and cry, especially when they were under the age of two, when we would leave them with family.  These little ones just come straight to us with no objections.

It’s just been an eye opener.

Anyway, we got the call for our first placement, a sibling set of two boys, but when we went to pick them up children services only had one and they were trying to locate the older boy.  We spent the weekend with the younger one, hoping and praying the older one was safe and in good hands.  After a couple of nights, we got the call in the middle of the night that the older boy had been located and was ready to come to our home.  So, we went in the middle of the night to bring home this little guy so he can be with his brother.

I have been a parent for over 18 years, but I feel very green with these little guys.  I’m not sure what they will expect out of me, Jay, the kids – our family – but I know we will give them all the love and care they need and are open to take from us.