First Contact

This past Tuesday I succeeded in making first contact. I had previously emailed and bounced around a couple of phone calls before finally finding the individual that would be able to help me. Her name is Carmen. I called her on Tuesday morning, but she wasn't in the office yet. I left a message and a few hours later she returned my call. I was kind of excited. My first real contact with my possible future.

Carmen sounded nice as she asked me a few general questions and explained the first steps in the process of becoming a foster parent. She promised to mail out an application packet to me that day. Which, she obviously did because I received it today. (I'll talk about that in a moment.) I am to fill it out and give it to her when she will come to my home for an initial "orientation" of sorts and walk-through. She said we could schedule my in-home orientation with her at that moment or that I could wait until after I received my packet and reviewed how long I thought I might need. I chose the second option, partly because my house is not ready. Three months of being sick and unable to do much of anything obviously put me behind on my plans. So, I have some catching up to do. Plus, I also didn't know what all would be included in the packet and what kind of time I would need to complete it. Once I do make that call, Carmen will set up a visit and set me on the path to fingerprints, background checks, and training!

So, that application packet. It was here waiting for me when I arrived home today. After dinner I sat down and opened it up. The large envelope could have more appropriately be described as a small package! Inside was over an inch of paperwork. Forms to fill out, things to be done, and even a 'Foster Care Parent's Bill of Rights.' I'm not sure how to fill out some of what I saw, or if every plan of action (ie: having a land-line installed, Emergency Escape Routes established, Childcare set-up, etc) has to be fully enacted before the initial orientation. I believe a quick call to Carmen will be necessary.

But, it has begun! I would appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers as I figure out what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how to do it. By the way, does anyone know the best way to determine the temperature of the hot water coming out of your faucets?! That may sound like a dumb question, but I've never really thought about it. There are regulations for how hot it can be if fostering children under the age of 10yrs. As I will be requesting children under 10, I will need to figure this one out.

Also, I could really use the prayers to find the right (local) community of people with whom to surround myself. I feel like a lonely jr. high kid praying for friends, but that is essentially what I've been doing. I have few friends in this area (and none my own age), but I work with them 99% of them. You see, while I desire and need the general support of peers & friendship, I am also going to need support in terms of after-school childcare and assistance if I get ill. I need some of those "villagers" closer to my house that can assist with the children. Please pray I can find the right people I can share friendships with and those who can support this journey in other ways.

Thank you for your support thus far. I will keep you updated as I work through the application packet and continue to get my home and myself ready for what is next.