Permanent Care.......

[lil_chookie]

We are just about to begin our assessments after completing education groups & a mountain of paperwork!

I would love to hear anything from anyone else who has been through this process?

[dusty]

Hi LC

Congratulations on taking this amazing step! I have done the initial information seminars (in the ACT) for Permanent Care which is very similar to Victoria.

I haven't made an application so I can't help you on that level yet, but there was a very interesting ABC radio program this week on Permanent Care in Victoria that you may be interested in listening to.

You can download the podcast or listen online. See Permanent care - Life Matters - 18 June 2009

If you want to continue to talk about your experiences on BB I would be really interested as this is something DH and I are seriously considering and I have friends also going through similar processes.

Best of luck and I think it is a wonderful way to create a family and to provide a family to children desperately in need.

xx

[HotI]

My sister came to our family through foster care, later permanent care and as an adult she made it legal and is now adopted. We also had other long term foster kids who lived with us for months or years. As a kid, i loved it.

I have also looked into permanent care/adoption as an adult and found a really good book called 'Toddler Adoption:The Weaver's Craft' by Mary Hopkins Best. Some of the book is based on intercountry adoption, but i found lots that i found relevant (looking at local only). If you can't get a copy, i could send it to either of you if you are interested, but i would like it back.

good luck,

K

[lil_chookie]

Thanks for the link Dusty, I am listening as I type! I am happy to share the experience here and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask

Kate thank you for the book recommendation

[Liviam]

My little sister and her husband have just been allocated their first child and are starting the process of moving him over to their care. It is so exciting for them!! So I personally haven't been through the process but I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your journey and I think it is an amazing thing that you and your DH are doing. I just want to wish you and your husband the best of luck and I'll be following your journey with much excitment for you.

[dusty]

That is awesome Dan! THanks for sharing - I think Permanent Care is going to be more common with changed approaches in some States for ongoing care for children in need. Are they looking to do PC again? How old was the child that was placed with them (if you don't mind me asking)?

[mareew]

Hi Lil Cookie

Thank you for this thread, its been great reading as we are in the midst of education classes for PC in Melbourne. Wishing you all the best

Maree

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

We've just signed up to go to an information session for PC this Tuesday. Friends of mine - also young oldies Dusty! - have been PC/fostering for almost 40 years, and they can't speak highly enough of it! Given our fertility issues, we thought we'd look into this as well.

I would much prefer PC over emergency fostering - I just don't think I could give the children back, especially knowing why they came to me in the first place. I truly applaud those couples who provide emergency care!

Does anyone know what items you need to have before they will place a child with you? We would like a child as young as possible, so obviously they're going to need somewhere to sleep - but should we go out and buy car seats and prams and high chairs yet? Or will there be a small amount of time where we know the age of the child we'll be getting, so we can prepare the appropriate items?

So many questions - I can't wait til Tuesday!

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Another question: Nurse Dan, if your BIL and S can't get the child to call them mum or dad, what term do they use? Personally, I wouldn't like them to call DH and I by our first names, but I can't think what they should call us...

[lil_chookie]

Just a quick update........the young boy has been placed with another family. So while we would have loved to have him with us, we are very happy that he has his forever family now.

[Fi Mack]

We are just about to begin our assessments after completing education groups & a mountain of paperwork!

I would love to hear anything from anyone else who has been through this process?

Hi lil cookie,

I am dying to know how it all went. Do you have a little one placed with you now? I am about to start the assessment period too now and would love to hear more about yours

Cheers, Mack

[lil_chookie]

A couple of months after my last post here we began assessment for infant adoption. In May '10 we received our official approval and in Jan '11 the phone rang and our lives changed forever. We were parents of a 7 month old baby girl! She is 2 now and the most precious child ever. In April of this year we went to court and our adoption was legalised and a new birth certificate issued. The end of a long hard journey! But one I would go through again if it meant being my DD's mummy

[Tegam]

Congratulations! What a great thread to read. And so special to have a happy ending!!

[Fi Mack]

What a lovely story and wonderful ending.

Thanks for sharing. This gives me much hope that I am on the right path.

Thanks, Mack's