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| Oldest Son, Youngest Son, Foster Sitters and our JP Caseworker start Medical Administration Training |
Heartbreaking is that foster care must exist.
Heartwarming is that foster care does exist.
Heartwarming
Laughter rang loud through my house this evening. Four giving women plus our two teens gathered around our table to be trained about Medication Administration. Our Jonathan's Place Caseworker volunteered to hold a training session at our house which made it so much more convenient for these six "students." The requirements for Foster Sitters include CPR/First Aid Training, Background Check, TB Test and Medication Administration Training as well as some legal-like documents.
As a foster care family, it is important to create a support system around us. Our Foster Sitters are an essential element for support in all kinds of ways. I am so grateful to this trusted group and their extra efforts to join our journey. They are compassionate, smart, progressive, loving AND I really like hanging out with all of them because they are seriously fun!
Foster care brings people together.
Heartwarming
We have signed D up for a 2 night/3 day summer camp for Foster Kids that takes place in early June. The camp is provided free of charge and appears to be funded by a local church. Activities at camp include swimming, water slides, horseback riding, go-karts, arts and crafts, "birthday" parties, petting zoos and other summer fun. Honestly, I have some normal "mom worry" that he might be a little scared to be away from us but I think he will also really enjoy it. D has such a loving and sincere heart.
Foster care brings community organizations together.
Heartwarming
I am so proud of Commuter Husband, Oldest Son and Youngest Son. They have all adapted without skipping a beat. D is such a funny, friendly and loving addition to our household.
- D sweetly told me "I miss --- when he is in Houston."
- D cheers for Youngest Son at lacrosse games "Get the ball ----!"
- D excitedly asked "Can I show ---?" when he learns to jump into pool at his lesson and wants to show Oldest Son in our pool.
- D says "You are beautiful and I love you" in the middle of the night as I take him back to bed and tuck him in when he is scared.
D is starting to acquire language for his new world. At night as I sit with him as he falls to sleep, he recites "You are my foster mom?" and "--- is my foster Dad?" and "---- is my foster brother?" and "--- is my foster brother?" and I softly tell him yes and that we will care for him and keep him safe as long as he is with us.
Foster care brings our family together.
The Foster Care Team Update
1) Jonathan's Place (JP) Caseworker (Agency Caseworker) - NEW UPDATE - Our JP Caseworker spent almost three hours at our house tonight. He went over D's service plan with me, provided Medication Administration Training to our future sitters, brought D underwear and uniforms and visited with D.
2) CVS Caseworker (CPS Conservatorship Caseworker) NEW UPDATE - We have a new CPS resource which is the CVS Caseworker. This transition happened after the May 4th court date. I have not had any contact with her yet. There is no family visit scheduled this week.
3) Guardian Ad Litem (Attorney for the foster child) NEW UPDATE -We finally made contact with D's attorney. We expect him to visit D this Saturday at our home. I am anxious to discuss the May 4th court date with him as well as the next court date set for early June.
4) CASA Volunteer (Child advocate volunteer) - No recent contact with CASA Volunteer.
5) Therapist Evaluation - The evaluating therapist, Dr. J, will recommend a therapist to help D with his sadness at the loss of his family. We have not gotten any information on a therapist for D yet.
6) Biological Family - NEW UPDATE -The biological family for D includes Mom, Dad, grandmothers, an aunt and cousins. D also has a toddler brother in another foster care home. There is a request for kinship care (not Mom or Dad) and the May 4th court date set that in motion. A CPS home study is scheduled. The situation is complicated.
7) Judge - NEW UPDATE -The Judge is ultimately the decision maker for just about everything.
The first court date was May 4 and the next is scheduled for early June.
8) Foster Sitters - NEW UPDATE -We have one Foster Sitter completely approved! Five to go.
Glimpses ...
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| Oldest Son playing with D in the pool - water a bit chilly for me! D LOVES his swim lessons and playing in the pool. |
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| D is so bright and smart. He is following step by step directions to put together lego sets. |
