Up until now, I never really thought about the state calling us about accepting a foster child placement. I pretty much knew in my head what questions we would ask, the information we would want. And of course I know the specifics of the child we are looking for. But what happens when you aren’t able to stop thinking about the ones you say no to?
A good friend of ours is a social worker with the state, and handles cases in our county. She has the daunting job of removing children from their homes to be placed in foster care.
She called today, not knowing we haven’t received our license yet. She told us there was a girl in a town very close to us that was being removed from her current foster home TODAY and they needed to find a placement today, or she would end up going to a shelter.
My shoulders slumped when I heard that, and tears welled up in my eyes. I knew we couldn’t take her yet, but if we could, we probably would have. She is just in between the ages of my 16-yr old and 11-yr old daughters. She has a love for sports, and just needs a stable loving home right now.
My heart just broke when I had to say no– that we couldn’t even be considered to be her foster family yet.
How am I ever going to be able to do this when we get licensed? How will I be able to say “no” when they call about kids that are not even close to the specifics of what we are looking for? We are looking for boys, age 4-7 years old. Certainly not a pre-teen girl! How could we have said NO to this little girl, when that meant she might be spending tonight in a shelter until they found someone to say YES?
I have no answers. Just (((hugs))).
Erin´s last [type] ..Randomness
Thank you! I appreciate that!
Jeni,
You CAN place her, just request a variance, and DHS will place her ASAP. It’s simple, ask your worker!
Sending HUGS!
I thought about it, and we decided to wait until our license comes. The good news is that they did find a home for the young girl, and it isn’t as far away as originally thought. I am so thankful that we have a friend “in the system” that can keep our names ready and be watching our for us. We decided that the right child will come to us when the time is right.
you are learning first-hand about how huge your heart can swell, even in hearing minimal (but powerful) details about a child or adolescent. i trust you will find a great match once you are licensed, but it will be a difficult trek in getting those kinds of calls. i find it so hard to say no to clients when i have so many on my caseload. as soon as i hear more about their situation i try to somehow fit them in because there are only so many therapists who take Medicaid. i really admire your journey in doing foster care and adoption.
Karin´s last [type] ..{Virtual Coffee}
Thanks Karin!
I am so glad to hear that she was placed! Knowing your family is so important. The universe works exactly the way it should! I can’t wait until you get “your call!
Hugs! Carey