Finding a Foster Agency

 

Yesterday I talked about the basic fostering requirements and how they can vary by state.  Today I will let you know that within the state there are many agencies and they have different guidelines, as well.  For example some agencies require every person get CPR certified, while others only require that certification if you have a pool or body of water on your property.  But the state might not require it all.  It all depends on which agency you get licensed through.

Confusing?  I know.  Trust me, I know.

Some states you can get licensed directly from the child protective agency.  While others require you get licensed through a private agency.  These private agencies are still state funded and they must abide by state guidelines.  Some states just don’t have a department for foster care within their child and family services.  They just have liaisons.

There is no cost to get licensed for foster care.  The only expenses you should accrue are small ones like copays for your physical, or costs for certified copies of birth certificates and marriage license, etc.  If you are ever told any different a red flag should go up your mind.  You need to stop dealing with whoever it is and call someone else.  Reporting those people wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. 

There are agencies that have a religious connection like Catholic Social Services or Lutheran Social Services, etc.  No, you do not have to be that religion to get licensed through them.  I thought that, too so don’t worry.  There are also many agencies that are not associated with any church.

My recommendation is to put a call out on facebook or twitter for friends that know someone that fosters.  Ask current foster parents who they honestly recommend.  I really like our agency and would highly recommend them in Illinois (we use Lutheran Social Services).  I can find out form other friends about different states, too.  You can email me.

I have heard horrible stories about other agencies.  An agency in my town has been known to try to license homes at the maximum capacity.  So a family that wanted to foster one or two children got licensed for five.  Then the agency would try to pressure them into taking five children.  They have tried to get people to care for children in age ranges that they didn’t want.  They have tried to guilt people into taking children with needs beyond what the family wanted or knew they could handle.

I will talk about this later in the series, but this is a great time to tell you that you can say no to any child at any time.  You do not have to take any child/children they call you about.  If they are pressuring you, call their boss.  Immediately.  It is not right and not cool.  I am going off on a tangent here. 

So just find out which agency other people like.  By the way, a recommendation by someone for an agency they used for their home study as part of an adoption is definitely not the same.  Even though they may license and do foster care, it is different.  Trust me.  Fostering is a completely different ball game.