We finished class 8 of 9 for foster care licensing and had our first of three home studies completed this week. I also got the bedroom painted. BIG WEEK!
Only it felt more like a dud. Our last class was a summative of all we've learned/talked about and the final class will be a question and answer session. We will have a panel of foster care experts to hear from and quiz; including a judge, foster parent, attorney, adoption specialist and case worker. However, right now I am more concerned over the 'tidbits' we didn't cover, but briefly touched on. Things I think are REALLY important to know and matter a great deal!
Things like:
*You cannot cut the child's hair in any manner other than a trim in the same style-without their parents' permission. WHAT?! Lord help me if I get a little boy with a pony tail, or worse...a RAT tale.
*A child can require 2 to 3 visits a week with family. If I get a child from Jackson county, you're going to meet me half way, right?!
* The time frame a child has to be seen by a physician (within 24 hrs of entering care) and the time frame they have to see a dentist (30 days, I think) These were BRIEFLY mentioned in class. WHO HAS THIS LIST AND HOW DO I GET MY HANDS ON IT?
These are things I NEED to know. I have spent the last 2 months opening my heart and mind to reunification, now someone tell me what I can and cannot do to take care of the CHILD!!
Frustrating to say the least. Something else that is frustrating...I cleaned my ENTIRE house and the case worker didn't even take a look around. I ran around frantic for 2 days, lost sleep, shoved things in the dryer that could have caused a fire and worked like a mad woman so she could step foot in my living room and dining room. I wanted to scream at her,
"LOOK AT MY HOUSE! DO you SEE how clean it is! I have 3 kids, ma'am. Count them! 3 little destroyers who are sitting quietly on the couch, watching a G-rated movie, TOGETHER, with no fighting, whining or food around them. Do you not SEE the miracle in front of your own eyes?!?"
But instead, we talked for an hour and fifteen minutes about our families, how we were raised/disciplined/shown love and how we relate to each member in our family now. We handed her our life on paper. Every last detail and dollar sign. We talked about our style of working things out and our alcohol consumption. ;) She finished by saying it was a good place to 'stop' and we only had about 8 more pages to go. See you in two weeks.
Wow. What a dud. Next time my house will not be clean.
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