Intro Training Session

We met with our training lady yesterday for the first time. We weren't really sure what to expect. Basically, she explained to us how the system works and the whole point of foster and adoptive parenting. The system's main goal is the reunification and strengthening of families. I think I've mentioned that I've heard people say, "I could never foster; it would be so hard to give those kids back." And I totally get that. But especially after the way she explained things yesterday, I just can't imagine not having the heart to fully participate in the system. Because all parents have struggles, and need extra help from time to time. It really does take a village to raise a child. And the system is part of that village - working with parents and children and foster families to strengthen the birth family and reunify them if at all possible. And if it's not possible, that's when adoptive families come in.

The lady (her name is Jennifer) then explained to us what our timeline looked like. Basically, 6 weeks from yesterday will be our last training session. It will take her about a month after that to finish our licensing paperwork (a 25-page document that tells the state of NC who we are) and send it in, then another couple of weeks for the license to come in the mail. So around September, if everything goes according to schedule, we should be officially licensed. After that, we just wait for her to get a call about children that fit the description of the ones we would be willing to take. The child(ren) might be in our home for 3 days, or 6 years, or forever.

Jennifer then walked through our home with us to point out anything we might want to change/fix/whatever before we get inspected. Our basement door has a deadbolt that locks with a key from inside, so we will have to get one of the regular deadbolts for that. We need about a bazillion of those clear thingies to plug in outlets. We have to move cleaning supplies and paint and anything toxic out of reach (duh). We will need some supplies so we can double lock medicines and vitamins, and guns and ammunition have to be in separate locked containers. And we need some more dressers. Kids have to each have their own bed, closet space, and dresser. We have one big dresser we were planning on them sharing while they're little, but Jennifer doesn't think that's allowed. So we are thinking of two nightstands with two or three drawers each, so they can fit in our small space, then as the kids grow and we split up the genders into separate bedrooms, those can be used as actual nightstands.

So now we have about 100 pages to read, 4 pages of questions to answer, and 5 thick packets of information to fill out. By Tuesday. Excuse us for having no social life for the next 6 weeks to 18 years!