Ventura Co CA foster care info needed

[grannychris]

Looking for info on what to expect from Ventura Co CA foster care system. We have been caring for 4 grandkids for over 6 years. We
are going to seek foster care aide and would like to know what to expect from the system. A few years ago, when we had all 5 sisters and started to ask about foster care aide, we were told our house was too small to be approved for five girls. We didnt want to separate them. We are moving to a much larger home that would certainly pass as far a space is concerned. Im sure there is alot more to it than having space. We are active in our community church and with the school.
Any information on your experience good or bad would be appreciated. Im wondering if they are a difficult or cold agency to work with. Thank you.:)

[Carl]

Sorry to take so long to reply to you GrannyChris. I would like you to contact the Ventura County Foster Parent Association's President, Patti Hunt at (805) 649-3220 and visit their website at http://www.vcfpa.com/. I have talked to Patti briefly and she is awaiting your call. Please explain your situation to her again when you talk to her.

[grannychris]

Thank you. I will call Patti on Monday. I had found that website and sent an email on 9/2/08. :)

[grannychris]

The VCFPA is an association for people that are already foster parents
and refered me to Kids and FamiliesTogether. Mrs Hunt was very nice
but cannot help me with the kind of information I need to establish foster
care or Kinship care.

[TheScrapFairy]

The VCFPA is an association for people that are already foster parents
and refered me to Kids and FamiliesTogether. Mrs Hunt was very nice
but cannot help me with the kind of information I need to establish foster
care or Kinship care.
All you need to do is take the foster care classes and Pattie helps teach them. Call the Licensing Unit of the Human Services Agency at (805) 654-3456 and request notification of informational meetings, foster care orientation meetings, and training sessions.

[grannychris]

Well, FYI to other grandparents, who like us have taken in grandkids
on their own. To be eligible for actual foster care aide , kinship or kin-gap aide... the children have to have been placed in your care by the
'system' In otherwords, the children had to have been removed from
the parents by CPS and moved on to the foster care agency because
the child was in some type of danger or neglect situation.

So, because my grandkids arent in any danger....we cannot get aide
from the foster care system. The VCFPA and Kids and Family Together
are very nice and offer many services...like classes and can refer you to places to get food, needed clothing or get an emergency bill paid..(like to keep your lights on if your on the verge of disconnection.) They have
alot of good advice.

(con't on Foster Care Forum)

[Ranana_Inharm]

If my son and his wife have foster children, what do I need to do to be approved to provide child care for these kids if my son & his wife need to attend to business or appointments?