Interested in Fostercare

[secretangel]

I am still in high school, but I have pretty strong feelings about running a foster home. Already my family is constantly watching someone else's child(ren) every weekend and randomly throughout the weeks (I am usually with the kids). I am simply looking for input and advice. I am seventeen; what would you suggest I do to prepare? What type of people/personality is best for foster parenting? (Not that I could change my personality, but I could be a better judge of my decision.) And what types of things must one avoid if wanting to be a foster parent? (anything you can think of, behavior, habit, occupation... etc.)

I would love to here anything from you that might help me.

[Texas Foster Mommy]

As a young Foster Parent my self (23) I have been doing this since I was 21. In Texas thats the age that i is required, for you to become a foster Parent. I suggest you graduate high school, and get some college hours under your belt. I went to college for a few years and never finished, then I got married and started fostering, and my only regret is not have, is not finishing something. Now I want to go back to school and I cant because there is not enough time in the day. I will never discourage anyone from being a foster parent because it was the best thing I ever did for my self, other than marrying my Husband. I just really wish I would have waited at least until I finished college. Something else you also want to think about is, you are going to need to have a job, where you can have good hours, because It was a surprise to me that day cares only work 7-6, at least here. I guess I had never really though about it. Also you are going to need a stable home, an apartment, something. I have an apartment and always have so in Texas thats ok. You may have already though of this and I may be preaching to the choir. I think that you heart is in the right place. I knew that kids were hard, and I heard that kids change you life, but I has NO idea what that really meant until I started fostering. Don't get me wrong I love every minuet of the chaos that is now my life. You need to keep a clean criminal record, just think for a minuet, if you were a parent, what kind of people would you leave your precious baby, your everything, you life, and try to be that person. I am mature for my age and I have friends that are my age, and they are too wild for me. You have to choose your friends wisley. I am a very reserved nurturing person. Fostering children is more that just raising a child. Most of the children have come from homes where something bad has happened and you have to be ready for everything. I have had kids that have hated me for the 1st few weeks, they are too young to understand that you are not the reason that they are not at home. Also foster kids always have things going on, therapy, case worker visits, ECI (early childhood intervention for kids 0-3), Meetings with the Attorneys, you as a foster parent are required to show up or open you home for kinds of things. They also are usually sick, or missing shots, or have lice, (that has been a big one in my home). You are required to get them a physical exam, a dental exam, vision screening, hearing screening, and a psychological exam if they are old enough (in Texas with in 30 days.) You are required to keep good records, do medication logs for everything from butt cream and Tylenol, to psychotropic medication. You have to get the health care professional to fill out forms every visit. You also have to document things about the child ( frequency depends on service level of the child or as per you states rules.) As far as preparing, you need to find your self a good Foster Care agency, if you find the right one they will hold you hand so to speak, and guide you in the correct direction. Most of the things that I have talked about you will learn in about in your pre-service training. If you have any more questions, or need someone to talk to, feel free to e-mail me. I hope that I have not scared you away