This is the longest "120 days" ever!
I was told the licensing process normally takes about 120 days.
I just realized today is actually Day 240 - double what they said initially.
...And still counting...
Sunday, March 2, 2014
The Mini Crib
Thanks to the suggestion of blog reader ~Sandy, I think I may have solved my crib problem!
Enter the mini crib.
An actual crib, but the size of a Pack 'n Play!
They come in regular (as above) and foldable (below).
I looked at a foldable one at the store today, and the sides (where it folds) were pretty rattle-y in the assembled position. Does anyone have any opinions?
I'm beginning to discover that bloggy friends are going to be an invaluable help as a foster mom!
Friday, February 28, 2014
Some Progress
This week (after hounding the caseworker multiple times), I got a call from her saying that the state was asking for four additional pieces of information - three of which I had already submitted to the county and/or that were not my responsibility in the first place. The last was the third page of the financial information section - which said at the top "Applicable if Adopting." I didn't fill this out because I am only applying for fostering. Apparently they still wanted it.
The last thing the state asking about was the fact that the home study said there was a Pack 'n Play; and they wanted to know if there was a crib available. When the initial licensing worker came back in September, I asked if I needed to get a crib or if a Pack 'n Play was sufficient. She said the Pack 'n Play was fine; the child just needed a place to sleep. Now the caseworker is saying that they really like there to be a crib. She also said that if the Pack 'n Play hadn't been mentioned in the home study, they probably wouldn't be asking additional questions. So I shot myself in the foot when I was confused and asked Home Study Lady if she needed to look at the room; if I had never mentioned it, she wouldn't have even gone upstairs and this wouldn't be an issue. My caseworker said that she would write that a crib would be obtained if needed.
Now I'm not sure how to handle the whole situation. The room is not big enough for the twin bed, dresser, and crib. I could move the dresser to the other room, and get a crib to go in the kids' room and just be ready for whatever age and not have to go run out and get a crib when I get the call for a kiddo. I could leave everything as-is, and get a crib later if needed and wait to make the decision on what to move out of the room until that time. Decisions, decisions...
Wow, I can't believe how clear and well-organized this whole process is! I would love to get my hands on their checklists and forms and requirements and processes, and revamp them all to be correct!
So by yesterday morning, my caseworker should have had everything she needed. (Well, she should have had everything she needed a month ago, but...) At least she has everything she needs, until the next time someone realizes something is still not complete.
The last thing the state asking about was the fact that the home study said there was a Pack 'n Play; and they wanted to know if there was a crib available. When the initial licensing worker came back in September, I asked if I needed to get a crib or if a Pack 'n Play was sufficient. She said the Pack 'n Play was fine; the child just needed a place to sleep. Now the caseworker is saying that they really like there to be a crib. She also said that if the Pack 'n Play hadn't been mentioned in the home study, they probably wouldn't be asking additional questions. So I shot myself in the foot when I was confused and asked Home Study Lady if she needed to look at the room; if I had never mentioned it, she wouldn't have even gone upstairs and this wouldn't be an issue. My caseworker said that she would write that a crib would be obtained if needed.
Now I'm not sure how to handle the whole situation. The room is not big enough for the twin bed, dresser, and crib. I could move the dresser to the other room, and get a crib to go in the kids' room and just be ready for whatever age and not have to go run out and get a crib when I get the call for a kiddo. I could leave everything as-is, and get a crib later if needed and wait to make the decision on what to move out of the room until that time. Decisions, decisions...
Wow, I can't believe how clear and well-organized this whole process is! I would love to get my hands on their checklists and forms and requirements and processes, and revamp them all to be correct!
So by yesterday morning, my caseworker should have had everything she needed. (Well, she should have had everything she needed a month ago, but...) At least she has everything she needs, until the next time someone realizes something is still not complete.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
The Magic Phone Call
Apparently, my making a phone call to the DSS office makes things happen... things that had actually already happened before I made the call.
There was the time I called about my home study being scheduled and was told that my case had already been referred to the Home Study agency, and they were waiting on a call back (Turned out Home Study Lady had left a voice mail at my work the day before I called, and I just hadn't gotten it yet.)
Then there was the time I called the licensing supervisor for the second time in 10 days (no return call the first time I called), and came home to a packet in the mail of the final things they would need for my license application.
Yesterday I called my licensing worker because I still had not received the SLED check forms for any potential babysitters, that I had asked her for almost six weeks ago. Today there was a big envelope with a stack of SLED check forms waiting for me in the mailbox.
(I also asked about the status of the license application on the voice mail as well, but I haven't actually gotten a call back about that... I'm hoping that she at least mailed that off at the same time she mailed me the SLED check forms, if not before then.)
So my phone call makes things that I'm waiting for happen, that have actually already happened. Maybe I shouldn't wait so long to call the next time I'm waiting on something! ;)
There was the time I called about my home study being scheduled and was told that my case had already been referred to the Home Study agency, and they were waiting on a call back (Turned out Home Study Lady had left a voice mail at my work the day before I called, and I just hadn't gotten it yet.)
Then there was the time I called the licensing supervisor for the second time in 10 days (no return call the first time I called), and came home to a packet in the mail of the final things they would need for my license application.
Yesterday I called my licensing worker because I still had not received the SLED check forms for any potential babysitters, that I had asked her for almost six weeks ago. Today there was a big envelope with a stack of SLED check forms waiting for me in the mailbox.
(I also asked about the status of the license application on the voice mail as well, but I haven't actually gotten a call back about that... I'm hoping that she at least mailed that off at the same time she mailed me the SLED check forms, if not before then.)
So my phone call makes things that I'm waiting for happen, that have actually already happened. Maybe I shouldn't wait so long to call the next time I'm waiting on something! ;)
Saturday, February 1, 2014
OK, Whatever...
My new caseworker called last Friday and said she thought she had everything, but still needed one more thing to be able to submit my license application to the state. She needed my fire escape plan. (I knew I had to have this, and it is posted on the kids' room and was checked by the fire inspector, but nowhere did it say that I had to submit this to the county DSS - even though there was a checklist of things I needed to send them.) She said if I could scan it and email it to her that day, she would send my application in later that day or first thing Monday morning. I wasn't able to get it to her that day, but emailed it over the weekend. So if she is true to her word (but I have now learned to take everything they say and think to myself, "OK, whatever..."), the application should have been submitted this past Monday and the license should be processed within the next week or so. If she didn't submit it on Monday, then I doubt it has been done yet since we had a big ice storm on Tuesday through Thursday and everything pretty much shut down. At least it looks like everything is on track to be finished by May, which is the actual completion date that I have in my head now.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Kid's Room
The room is ready, and waiting for a kid to arrive. It actually can accommodate a crib infant and a child that can sleep in a bed, and I will be licensed for two children; but my plan is definitely not to take two kids at the same time, at least at first. (Of course now that I have said that, I'm sure two kids is EXACTLY what I'll end up with!)
My awesome friend gave me the comforter set, my dad gave me the bedrail (which is a foldout, so is stowed under the mattress right now), the Big Bird chair was mine as a child, the dresser used to be my mom's, the changing pad came from my sister, and I bought the colorful shelves years ago on clearance (with the intention of one day using them for a child).
They said that a Pack 'n Play was sufficient for a bed for an infant. I got this Eddie Bauer one from a yard sale when my nephew and goddaughter were born a few years ago. One of my patient's family members gave me an actual mattress for it since she used to own a day care.
There is also a Sesame Street lamp that was in my childhood room as well, but it needs to be re-wired. That's not a project on my list right now.
(Can you spot the fire escape plan posted on the door??)
My awesome friend gave me the comforter set, my dad gave me the bedrail (which is a foldout, so is stowed under the mattress right now), the Big Bird chair was mine as a child, the dresser used to be my mom's, the changing pad came from my sister, and I bought the colorful shelves years ago on clearance (with the intention of one day using them for a child).
They said that a Pack 'n Play was sufficient for a bed for an infant. I got this Eddie Bauer one from a yard sale when my nephew and goddaughter were born a few years ago. One of my patient's family members gave me an actual mattress for it since she used to own a day care.
There is also a Sesame Street lamp that was in my childhood room as well, but it needs to be re-wired. That's not a project on my list right now.
(Can you spot the fire escape plan posted on the door??)
Saturday, January 11, 2014
My Days of Sleeping In Are Numbered...
... by somewhere between two weeks and four months.
(And if you know me well, you will know that sleeping until 10:00, 11:00, even 12:00 is a regular occurrence for me on Saturday mornings).
I had my home study on December 27. This was really just an interview consisting of pretty much the same questions I had answered on the 10-page form that DSS sent me. The interviewer was very nice and laid-back. She asked about my parents, my siblings, how close I am to them now, how I was disciplined as a child, childhood memories and goals, my job and hobbies, reasons for wanting to foster, education background, financial info to determine that I am not needing the foster care income to make ends meet, etc, etc. She was here a little under an hour and a half. At some point (I don't remember how this came up), I asked if she needed to see the child's room. (The last time someone was here, the room wasn't actually set up - and I figured someone had to verify what type of bed(s) I had so they could determine what age and how many children I could be licensed for.) She told me she could look at it to check it off, but she could tell from my application and my house that everything would be in order; that sometimes she walks into a house and knows she will need to actually see the room, but she didn't think that was needed here. After we finished, she said she would write up the report (usually takes 4 or 5 days), then submit it to the county DSS office, who would then send the license application on to the state for processing. I asked how long that process normally took, and she said, "Well, I don't really know, but I did a home study in August and one in October, and I don't think either of them have gotten their licenses yet." Ummm, what?!?! Now, granted, she is not a DSS employee; she is a contract employee who only does home studies, so it is possible those people actually did get their licenses and she just didn't know about it.
So at that point, I'm telling myself that I will just put in my head that it will be May before I will get the license... and then if it happens sooner than that, I will be pleasantly surprised.
I put in a call to the DSS Foster Care Licensing Supervisor early the next week (right at the end of December) to ask about the licensing time-frame and some other things. (Remember I still don't have a new licensing worker - or at least I don't know who it is if one has been assigned.) No call back. I called again a few days ago and left another voice mail. This time she called back shortly after and gave me the name and number of the new caseworker. Thank goodness I finally have someone I can contact! That day when I got home, there was a small packet from DSS saying that I needed to complete the following items:
- sign a page that would be submitted with the licensing application - basically stating that were requesting a license for two children, ages 0-5, and that I was ok with this.
- re-sign a page from my original application because it was from July 2013, and this had to be signed within 90 days of the license application. I wonder how many people actually get their license application submitted within 90 days of their original inquiry?!?!
- a form to be filled out by someone 21 years or older that could take care of the foster child if needed. This was permission for a SLED check of this person. (I found out later that ANYONE that would babysit the child will have to have a SLED check and fill out this form as well... so I told her she should send me about ten more forms! I don't plan on using a sitter too often, but I would rather have 30 people on the list and never need any of them, than have 3 people on the list and none of them be available when I need someone. And it seems like this would be something they would mention in training.)
Yesterday, I FINALLY got to actually talk to someone at DSS! When I asked about how long the licensing should take, she said once they have everything and send it in to the state (but I'm thinking, "who knows how long that might actually be??" LOL), it usually takes 1-2 weeks for the license to be processed.
I will send all the extra stuff they asked for on Monday, so potentially I could have the license by the end of January IF they send the application right in to the state (HAHAHAHAHAHA!! I seriously doubt they will). At this point, I'm still trying to keep the mindset that it will be a few months so I don't get too impatient!
(And if you know me well, you will know that sleeping until 10:00, 11:00, even 12:00 is a regular occurrence for me on Saturday mornings).
I had my home study on December 27. This was really just an interview consisting of pretty much the same questions I had answered on the 10-page form that DSS sent me. The interviewer was very nice and laid-back. She asked about my parents, my siblings, how close I am to them now, how I was disciplined as a child, childhood memories and goals, my job and hobbies, reasons for wanting to foster, education background, financial info to determine that I am not needing the foster care income to make ends meet, etc, etc. She was here a little under an hour and a half. At some point (I don't remember how this came up), I asked if she needed to see the child's room. (The last time someone was here, the room wasn't actually set up - and I figured someone had to verify what type of bed(s) I had so they could determine what age and how many children I could be licensed for.) She told me she could look at it to check it off, but she could tell from my application and my house that everything would be in order; that sometimes she walks into a house and knows she will need to actually see the room, but she didn't think that was needed here. After we finished, she said she would write up the report (usually takes 4 or 5 days), then submit it to the county DSS office, who would then send the license application on to the state for processing. I asked how long that process normally took, and she said, "Well, I don't really know, but I did a home study in August and one in October, and I don't think either of them have gotten their licenses yet." Ummm, what?!?! Now, granted, she is not a DSS employee; she is a contract employee who only does home studies, so it is possible those people actually did get their licenses and she just didn't know about it.
So at that point, I'm telling myself that I will just put in my head that it will be May before I will get the license... and then if it happens sooner than that, I will be pleasantly surprised.
I put in a call to the DSS Foster Care Licensing Supervisor early the next week (right at the end of December) to ask about the licensing time-frame and some other things. (Remember I still don't have a new licensing worker - or at least I don't know who it is if one has been assigned.) No call back. I called again a few days ago and left another voice mail. This time she called back shortly after and gave me the name and number of the new caseworker. Thank goodness I finally have someone I can contact! That day when I got home, there was a small packet from DSS saying that I needed to complete the following items:
- sign a page that would be submitted with the licensing application - basically stating that were requesting a license for two children, ages 0-5, and that I was ok with this.
- re-sign a page from my original application because it was from July 2013, and this had to be signed within 90 days of the license application. I wonder how many people actually get their license application submitted within 90 days of their original inquiry?!?!
- a form to be filled out by someone 21 years or older that could take care of the foster child if needed. This was permission for a SLED check of this person. (I found out later that ANYONE that would babysit the child will have to have a SLED check and fill out this form as well... so I told her she should send me about ten more forms! I don't plan on using a sitter too often, but I would rather have 30 people on the list and never need any of them, than have 3 people on the list and none of them be available when I need someone. And it seems like this would be something they would mention in training.)
Yesterday, I FINALLY got to actually talk to someone at DSS! When I asked about how long the licensing should take, she said once they have everything and send it in to the state (but I'm thinking, "who knows how long that might actually be??" LOL), it usually takes 1-2 weeks for the license to be processed.
I will send all the extra stuff they asked for on Monday, so potentially I could have the license by the end of January IF they send the application right in to the state (HAHAHAHAHAHA!! I seriously doubt they will). At this point, I'm still trying to keep the mindset that it will be a few months so I don't get too impatient!
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