Firsts of firsts
Jun. 30th, 2004 06:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kyburgToday was the required "orientation" that the Los Angeles County DCFS requires of anyone considering becoming a foster parent or adoption. They require that any placement of a child be with a person licensed to be a foster parent - even if you only want to consider adoption instead of being a foster parent - because of the small amount of time a child will spend in your care while the adoption is finalized.
So most of the 4 plus hours was going over what a foster parent has to do. It's pretty extensive, to be honest.
I'll have to be fingerprinted, and pass a background check. I'll have to get my CPR certification up to date, and get a TB test. My house will be inspected and have to pass muster. (Guess I really will have to get the office finished now!)
And the forms to fill out - I'm dragging the old typewriter down for it. Both Jim and I will have to provide records of where we have worked in the past seven years. And provide both personal and financial references. (Who do you refer people to when you want to give a financial reference? I think the loan officer who did our house loan last year will likely be mine....)
DOJ, FBI. Yes, I'll end up with an FBI file. Oh joy.
What kind of child do we want? How many? What age?
It's harder to say what we want. It's easier to say what I think will be tough.
For example, I don't think an African or Latino child would find us the pick of the litter. We're too white, too Asian in our outlooks and preferences. We don't speak Spanish, and won't. We have too many other language challenges on our plate. I fear finding a little girl putting on white tights to look more "normal" - and that would break my heart. No kid, you need to be with someone else. I'm not the right choice for everyone. I've seen what my grand-nephew has gone through - and all of the family around him - being the only one of him around. I'm being given a choice - I choose not to put a kid to that kind of test.
The worker today said she had a family of 8 that needed placement. Jim looked at me, I said bring it. So what can't I consider?
We could take up to two kids, same gender the way the house is arranged now. If we evacuated the office and converted it back to a bedroom, two more of another gender.
And if I rebuilt the back house, two more per bedroom.
If I was that nuts.
The goal is to have a family - and not just one child. I don't think that's good, or preferable.
Dr. Whiz-bang has been postponed until the end of next month - and while we're on the subject, I'm female. *winks* Yeaaaas.
Sake and chocolate good. Fawl down now.
So most of the 4 plus hours was going over what a foster parent has to do. It's pretty extensive, to be honest.
I'll have to be fingerprinted, and pass a background check. I'll have to get my CPR certification up to date, and get a TB test. My house will be inspected and have to pass muster. (Guess I really will have to get the office finished now!)
And the forms to fill out - I'm dragging the old typewriter down for it. Both Jim and I will have to provide records of where we have worked in the past seven years. And provide both personal and financial references. (Who do you refer people to when you want to give a financial reference? I think the loan officer who did our house loan last year will likely be mine....)
DOJ, FBI. Yes, I'll end up with an FBI file. Oh joy.
What kind of child do we want? How many? What age?
It's harder to say what we want. It's easier to say what I think will be tough.
For example, I don't think an African or Latino child would find us the pick of the litter. We're too white, too Asian in our outlooks and preferences. We don't speak Spanish, and won't. We have too many other language challenges on our plate. I fear finding a little girl putting on white tights to look more "normal" - and that would break my heart. No kid, you need to be with someone else. I'm not the right choice for everyone. I've seen what my grand-nephew has gone through - and all of the family around him - being the only one of him around. I'm being given a choice - I choose not to put a kid to that kind of test.
The worker today said she had a family of 8 that needed placement. Jim looked at me, I said bring it. So what can't I consider?
We could take up to two kids, same gender the way the house is arranged now. If we evacuated the office and converted it back to a bedroom, two more of another gender.
And if I rebuilt the back house, two more per bedroom.
If I was that nuts.
The goal is to have a family - and not just one child. I don't think that's good, or preferable.
Dr. Whiz-bang has been postponed until the end of next month - and while we're on the subject, I'm female. *winks* Yeaaaas.
Sake and chocolate good. Fawl down now.
