Any info about being a foster parent in Kentucky?... or just general info?

Question

I am 28 years old and do not have any children of my own yet. I have tried for a few years with no luck, so I have decided to look into being a foster parent. Once I get my feet wet in that area, I may look into adoption to start my family. I currently live in a one bedroom apartment and I am unmarried. My boyfriend is interested in this too. I ordered an information packet, but there was not much info involved. Anyone out there offer any more info about being a foster parent? Pros and cons?

I want some information for future use, no comments on my marital status or lack there of. Don't waste my time or yours with comments of what I need to do in my life first. Thank you.

Answer 1

CODE OF ETHICS FOR FOSTER PARENTS

PREAMBLE
Foster family care for children is based on the theory that no unit in our society, other than the family, has ever been able to provide the special qualities needed to nurture children to their fullest mental, emotional and spiritual development. If, for a certain period, a family ceases to provide these special qualities, substitute care must be used. It is recognized that ideally, foster care is temporary in nature. Persons who provide foster family care must have commitment, compassion and faith in the dignity and worth of children, recognize and respect the rights of natural parents, and be willing to work with the child-placing agency to develop and carry out a plan of care for the child.
Foster care is a public trust that requires that the practitioners be dedicated to service for the welfare of children, that they utilize a recognized body of knowledge about human beings and their interactions, that they be committed to gaining knowledge about human beings and their interactions, and that they be committed to gaining knowledge of community resources which promote the well-being of all without discrimination.

Each foster parent has an obligation to maintain and improve the practice of fostering, constantly to examine, use and increase the knowledge upon which fostering is based, and to perform the service of fostering with integrity and competence.


PRINCIPLES
In order to provide quality foster care services, foster parents subscribe to the following principles:
I regard as my primary obligation the welfare of the child deserved.

I shall work objectively with the agency in effecting the permanent plan for the child in my care.

I hold myself responsible for the quality and extent of the services I perform.

I accept the reluctance of the child to discuss his past.

I shall keep confidential from unauthorized persons information pertaining to any child placed in my home.

I shall treat with respect the findings, views and actions of fellow foster parents, and use appropriate channels, such as a foster parent organization, to express my opinions.

I shall take advantage of available opportunities for education and training designed to upgrade my performance as a foster parent.

I respect the worth of all individuals regardless of race, religion, sex or national ancestry in my capacity as a foster parent.

I accept the responsibility to work toward assuring that ethical standards are adhered to by any individual or organization providing foster care services.

I shall distinguish clearly in public between my statements and actions as an individual, and as a representative of a foster parent organization.

I accept responsibility for working toward the creation and maintenance of conditions within the field of foster family care which enable foster parents to uphold the principles of this code.
http://www.nfpainc.org/aboutFP/codeOfEthics.cfm?page=2

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/state-policies.html


http://adoption.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=adoption&cdn=parenting&tm=97&f=00&su=p284.2.420.ip_&tt=11&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dpp/Frequently%2bAsked+Question+about+Foster+Care.htm

http://adoption.about.com/od/fostering/
As Seen By a Veteran Foster Parent

My wife and I have been doing foster care for 17 years. Along the way, we've learned a few things that seem to be givens when working for our children.

1. Love may not be enough, but when you add unlimited patience and a sense of humor, you can usually get through.

2. Things go best when you go by the book - but you have to be using the right book!

3. Having a spirit of contention accomplishes nothing - especially when you are trying to work with the "system".

4. You can't help every child, but you can still cry for them.

5. You can't help every child, but you can still pray for them.

6. Some people know how to fix a broken child, and some people know how to fix a broken system - very few people have the time and talent fix both!

7.You can feel close to God when changing a diaper.

8. Foster Care is the worst paying job in the world.

9. Foster Care is the best paying job in the world.

10. Enjoy the good days when they come - on the bad days, find someone to serve.

11. Kids who've had it rough in life need good, strong parenting.

12. Kids who've had it rough in life need someone to serve them.

13. Knowing when to be a parent, and when to be a servant brings the greatest joy and success.

14. Abused kids are used to being yelled at - try using funny voices instead!

15. Never let a child go to bed without a "tuck-in".

16. A 10 year old who's never been allowed to be a 10 year old, will not become a 10 year old upon arrival in your home - pick your battles and conquer one behavior at a time.

17. ALWAYS expect that the children will not resemble their "resumes".

18. Children are more important than furniture.

19. Work as if everything depends on you - Pray as if everything depends on the Lord!

20. The greatest lesson the Lord has ever taught me about fostering children came during a church meeting one Sunday. Our newly arrived, nine year old foster son came in during the meeting and asked me to tie his shoes. My first thought was to scold him for not being able to tie the shoes himself. My next thought was to kneel down and tie them for him. My final thought was - I am kneeling at the feet of the Savior!

21. And since I have still not learned everything, my most recent lesson comes from someone I only recently met. When we ask ourselves why a child had to be born to such an abusive parent, remember that the birth of a child is the keeping of a promise made in heaven.
More About Foster Care

http://www.northwestmedia.com/foster/solve.html

Answer 2

I am pasting in some websites I think every perspective foster/adoptive parents should know in the space below. These are all organizations that I know to be legititmate and honest. The second link, to the National Foster Parents Association, should have info on the site for your state association. Other than that, I was a foster child for ten years and have been a system activist since 1999. I train foster parents sometimes. My pros would include that you will be helping children, that you get a sense of fulfillment and that it is cheaper and often faster to adopt through foster care. My cons would include that you may have to send kids back to their birth parents when you do not thing their family is ready yet, that you may not get babies and that the kids may not want your help and even resent you. If it were not for foster parents, however, I would possibly have died or been homeless as a kid.