Thinking about fostering..

[KatieMontague]

My husband and I are thinking about fostering. I was wondering what the process is and all. We are young so I doubt they would let us we would probably need to wait a few years. I am 19 and he is 21, we have been married for a year. but we are in the middle of buying the house we are living at, good jobs, we are doing really well and I would love to help out and take in a child.

So how is the application process? and im assuming theres inspections of the house and all?
any help would be fantastic!

[KB'sMama1031]

honestly I have no idea, but I just wanted to comment that I think you are considering a very kind and thoughtful thing, I really hope that it works out! good luck!

[millermyer2]

In Illinois you have to be 21 I think! Things are different in every state. I think the best thing to do would be to call DCS and just talk to someone. We are with a private agency and before we did anything they had someone come meet with us just to talk about it and make sure it was something we wanted to do. If you did that they would probably be able to answer all of your questions! Also, making the call DOES NOT mean you are making a move to sign up. I know I put off making the call because for some reason I had in my mind that if I did it meant I was doing that!
Thank you for your passion to help kids! I have friends who just turned old enough to foster and they are doing a GREAT job. Just because your young doesn't mean you cant do it.

[WynneBabies]

Here they require an intro meeting which answers everything. Even if you need to wait a couple years, that meeting is required and you don't have to repeat it. We went to ours and decided against it for the timebeing, but changed our minds a year later.

[Mama2ManyBoyz]

Yah I would ask if you could get the process started...even if it is just the training. Are you almost 20 or just turned 19?

[newmommy13]

Good for you! Thats awesome. You have to be 21 here as well but you never know what exceptions they are willing to make if they need FP badly. I agree also that even if you cant do it now its great to call for info.

[poopstermomma]

I would totally suggest going to an info meeting. I would also very much advise waiting a little longer, and enjoy being married for a while before adding kids. from a very tired mama with three kids under three... LOL!)

[looking8186]

Not sure what the deal is in WA but in MA you only need to be 18 but obviously need to be mature, responsible, experienced etc etc. I am also very young (early twenties) and on my way to fostering but I also have prior experience from co-parenting as a foster parent.... I adoreee fostering.. It would be worth calling your local DCF and seeing what they have to say! Age definitely isnt everything