OUR FIRST FOSTER TRAINING CLASS

It literally just seems like yesterday that I was counting down the days until our first class of foster
 training. Well its here! Last night was our very first class. Yahoo! The state of Arizona requires all foster parents to go through 30 hours of training before becoming licensed to foster or adopt. This usually happens over the course of 10 weeks but we are cramming it into 5 1/2 weeks! I have heard

from many people and I agree (just after 1 class) that every parent or soon to become parents should take these classes. All of the curriculum is very in depth and can apply to any normal child or parent.

Our classes will run for 3 hours (6-9pm) every Tuesday and Thursday from now through September 10th. The trainer last night informed us that 5 1/2 weeks seems like it might take awhile to get through, but before we know it we will be coming to our very last class. Our class has 35 people total right now but apparently by the end of our 5 1/2 weeks, a couple of people will be missing. Some might decide that fostering is just not for them, some might miss more than two classes and then have to start all over again, and some might take one or two classes and then just give up. They told us it happens with every single class they have. 

When we first arrived, we were greeted by our trainer and a few of the staff members that work at Crisis Nursery. In front of where we sat, our learning stations had play-doh, coloring books, markers, and all different shapes to mold the play-doh. When we started, we were told that we were encouraged to play with the items in front of us. They call it "fidget to focus". It has been proven that when children and even adults are fidgeting with something and listening or doing a primary task, they are more easily focused and can gain more knowledge and information about what they are learning or listening too. As you can see from the picture above, my Husband was all for the "fidget to focus" concept. I think I need to buy my man some fondant! He's kind of an overachiever.

Well....one class down. 10 more to go. It's seems so strange that all of this is happening, but we are loving every single minute of it and are excited for whats to come and just how much we will learn. 

-KIMBERLY-

FOSTER CARE ORIENTATION

Last night we attended the Foster Care Program orientation at Crisis Nursery

The very step required by the state is to attend an orientation for approximately 1 hour.

The orientation covered the general requirements by law as set up by Arizona, the overall 

placement process, the expectations of Foster Parents, and the process of getting licensed.

Once we decide or if we decide to move forward with this, the next step is to register for

a training class. The training is 33 hours. Crisis Nursery offers an accelerated version of

the training over the course of 5 1/2 weeks. The classes will be twice a week on Tuesdays

and Thursdays from 6-9pm. The next training class they have open begins in August 6th.

Throughout the  training, paperwork is submitted (which I heard there is piles and piles of

paperwork to complete), home visits and home inspections are completed for safety concerns.

She told us that if we are diligent about completing our paperwork, the process can move 

very quickly and generally takes people about 3-6 months to become licensed Foster Parents from start to finish.

All of this is so overwhelming but in such a good way!! My heart is so full and radiating with joy!

I feel so grateful that we will be guided every step of the way by our loving Heavenly Father. 

We are going to continue to trust and have faith in Him that He will fit all the pieces together

in order to make this happen. We see His hands in our lives tremendously right now, and we are so excited to see what He has in store. Yes..we know its going to be hard at times and we will face trials, struggles, and challenges that we may need to overcome...but with Him we can get through anything!

Every day I get a different spiritual quote emailed to me. I opened up my email today and read this....

"As you love His children, Heavenly Father will guide you, and angels will assist you. You will be given power to bless lives and rescue souls."

—David L. Beck