Beware!!!!

For those of you considering foster care, or even adoption, you need to be aware of so many things that can put a hitch in your plans. Most people think "I'm fostering a child that can go up for adoption....I'll adopt them". It so does not work that way!  In the foster care world, once a child is placed into care, DHS workers start looking for relatives that can take the child. Usually, you are referred to as emergency care, until a relative can be located. Once a relative is located, they must pass all the same requirements that you did before they can take the child/children. Although, a relative can foster and take the classes required at the same time, rather than having to take the classes first. In our case, our guy has no dad on the birth certificate, and mom doesn't really know who dad is. She did name a few different possibilities, but upon contact, they were not interested in even meeting with DHS to do a DNA test. Our baby also has no relatives that can pass the checks to take him. Those relatives that could,for whatever reason choose not to. Keep in mind that in most cases there is an aunt, cousin, grandparent.....someone who will, which is why kids are removed so often and re-placed, because a relative steps up.  Now, in our case, if a dad was located and matched, he could take him....OR one of his relatives could. They always try to keep biological families together. Sometimes you will think.."I've had this child for 2 years and now they are giving him to Aunt Betty, and they've never met". That is because they are biologically related.
The State doesn't see things the way we do. I asked why after a possible 1-2 years of having our guy, would they give him to strangers. The answer floored me.."Because the adoptive parents have his half sister....he's a kid, they are resiliant and bounce back". REALLY? How do they know this? How do they know the feelings of an infant who ONLY knows you, and then is suddenly yanked away and given to a stranger? They don't. This is the law I wish I could change. So beware that you will be hurt, frusterated, angry, confused, and emotional on a daily basis. This is not an "easy paycheck", the money you receive is enough to get the child month to month what they require. 

Your child is completely insured through the state until they are 18, so you will never have to pay for any medical.

About adoption. Things can change fast! Nothing is final until the judge signs the papers. A relative could step in, and that will halt everything. They will go through all the checks, and if all is ok, then an adoption panel is put together to decide who the child should go to. Keep in mind, it's usually the relative, so your heart could be broken.

Don't go into foster care in the hopes of adoption right away. You could have hundreds of kids before the right situation comes along.