DH and I were talking just yesterday that it's taking forever to get a call. Then it happened. The agency called with a possible respite placement. Two girls for 4 days. We should hear from the agency again today after the therapist finds out details. I think she just called yesterday to make sure we would want to do it. This will be a good way to get experience.
FYI; Respite is when you take care of foster children for a foster family. Kind of like babysitting for a day or several days.
We also made a visit to our local CPS office to find out who would fill out and sign our FMLA paperwork. For those of you who are unfamiliar with FMLA (family medical leave act), it's a federal act that protects your job if you have to take any time off work for medical or personal reasons. There are several reasons you can qualify for FMLA, usually it's for a medical reason like maturity leave or to take care of a sick dependent. DH and I haven't received the FMLA yet. I found out we can qualify for it through a federal website when we started the foster care training. According to the site, we could have used it for our training but either one of us wanted to take advantage of the system. I just hope the website is correct. Oh, needless-to-say, CPS was no help with FMLA. They had actually never heard of it being used for fostercare.
A journey through becoming and being foster parents.
About Me
- Mic
- I've been married to a wonderful, thoughtful person for over 34 years. We have 2 beautiful children and several kinds of pets. I love spending time in our back woods. I love learning something new every day.
What time is it?
Things we still have to do;
- Set a court date for the Adoption!
- Fill out lots of paperwork (DONE)
- Find an adoption lawyer (DONE)
- Take adoption classes (DONE)
- Choose Daycare (DONE)
- Lock up cleaning supplies (DONE)
- Make outside doors kid proof (DONE)
- Copy insurance policy (DONE)
- Final Home Inspection (DONE)
- Home Study (DONE)
- On going Paperwork (DONE)!
- CPR class (DONE)
- Complete classes (DONE)
- Boys shots (DONE)
- DH physical DONE
- DH TB test DONE
- My physical DONE
- My TB test (April) DONE
- Background Checks (DONE)
Followers
Changing One Little Life
By Valerie Busic
The phone call comes in,
"Do you have enough room?
For one more young child...
He needs a home soon."
He comes to your door
tattered and bruised,
His clothes are all dirty,
he's wearing no shoes...
You welcome him in
with a smile on your face,
He'll have to adjust
at his very own pace.
His life has been
a hard, rocky road.
Somehow you must help
to lighten his load.
He is going to need you
to care for him now,
So deep in your heart,
you silently vow-
To make his life better
than what he has now.
to again make him smile,
though you're wondering how.
Each new day brings
anger, sadness and joy
You pray that your love
can help this young boy.
Sometimes it seems that
you're getting nowhere,
And you're wondering why God said,
"Send this child there."
After an especially trying day
when you're sure
there must be an easier way
Into the room,
his footsteps now come.
With a shy hug, he whispers,
"I love you Mom."
With tears in your eyes,
you know just what to say,
You've waited and waited
For this very day.
"Remember this, honey,
And no matter what,
You're special. I love you.
You just hold on to that."
And then the day comes
when you answer the phone...
They're sending "your" little boy
back to his home.
You think of the work
that may be undone
When they do send him back,
to the very same one.
He's much different today
than he was, way back when.
Your hard work has paid off,
You can see it in him.
You hope and you pray
he'll remember your love
But you can't help wonder,
will it be enough?
To carry him through
what may lie ahead
You try to be strong
to cover your dread
Your head says you must
get through the good-byes
But the weight in your heart
Later, you learn
he's doing quite well.
He comes over to visit
and you really can tell.
His life isn't perfect, but...
It's turning quite nice.
And you have made a difference
in one little boy's life.
Posts
I used FMLA when I did emergency respite care for medically fragile infants. I actually contacted my HRD at my job and they had me apply with our executive assistanct when needed. Although, I would suggest using a PLP (personal leave day) instead of tapping into FMLA for respite care situations unless you take in a child and want to take a longer maternaty leave.
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