Florida Department Of Children & Families Aka DCF Misleading, Undisclosed Information, Heartless, Emotional Rollcoaster, Promises That Are NEVER Followed Through With Ft Myers, Naples Florida

Your complaint is phrased as if DCF is a company from whom you expected to buy a product. If that is really what you think being a foster parent is, (a customer getting a "free trial period") then everybody involved is luckier than they'll ever know that you didn't end up adopting a child (or, as you seem to view it, refused to buy the company's product). These are real people with real problems who need help and support, it is not the responsibility of nor should any of those children ever have to worry for one second about being "good enough" for you. These kids have enough problems already and your role is to provide a stable, safe environment and some comfort and love for them while their families work through those problems. How many times did you threaten to "return" this kid before he turned violent on you? And all this aside, the fact that you're complaining that TANF does not completely reimburse your expenses for childcare tells me (and should tell you) that you are too selfish and concerned w/material things to provide a loving, stable environment for anything or anyone

Your complaint is phrased as if DCF is a company from whom you expected to buy a product. If that is really what you think being a foster parent is, (a customer getting a "free trial period") then everybody involved is luckier than they'll ever know that you didn't end up adopting a child (or, as you seem to view it, refused to buy the company's product). These are real people with real problems who need help and support, it is not the responsibility of nor should any of those children ever have to worry for one second about being "good enough" for you. These kids have enough problems already and your role is to provide a stable, safe environment and some comfort and love for them while their families work through those problems. How many times did you threaten to "return" this kid before he turned violent on you? And all this aside, the fact that you're complaining that TANF does not completely reimburse your expenses for childcare tells me (and should tell you) that you are too selfish and concerned w/material things to provide a loving, stable environment for anything or anyone

Your complaint is phrased as if DCF is a company from whom you expected to buy a product. If that is really what you think being a foster parent is, (a customer getting a "free trial period") then everybody involved is luckier than they'll ever know that you didn't end up adopting a child (or, as you seem to view it, refused to buy the company's product). These are real people with real problems who need help and support, it is not the responsibility of nor should any of those children ever have to worry for one second about being "good enough" for you. These kids have enough problems already and your role is to provide a stable, safe environment and some comfort and love for them while their families work through those problems. How many times did you threaten to "return" this kid before he turned violent on you? And all this aside, the fact that you're complaining that TANF does not completely reimburse your expenses for childcare tells me (and should tell you) that you are too selfish and concerned w/material things to provide a loving, stable environment for anything or anyone

Your complaint is phrased as if DCF is a company from whom you expected to buy a product. If that is really what you think being a foster parent is, (a customer getting a "free trial period") then everybody involved is luckier than they'll ever know that you didn't end up adopting a child (or, as you seem to view it, refused to buy the company's product). These are real people with real problems who need help and support, it is not the responsibility of nor should any of those children ever have to worry for one second about being "good enough" for you. These kids have enough problems already and your role is to provide a stable, safe environment and some comfort and love for them while their families work through those problems. How many times did you threaten to "return" this kid before he turned violent on you? And all this aside, the fact that you're complaining that TANF does not completely reimburse your expenses for childcare tells me (and should tell you) that you are too selfish and concerned w/material things to provide a loving, stable environment for anything or anyone

You went into foster care for one thing and one thing only trying on a kid
Hate to say it that way but the way i see it You foigured you would work the system and TRY out a kid as a foster So that you would not have to go through all the waiting and background checks of adoption.
I am unsure how the backgrounds go for foster care but i know in adoption it is lengthy.
The fact that you handled this issue like you were getting a dog from a rescue or shelter makes me wonder just how prepared you really are to be parent One or two little foster care classes does NOT make you a first class parent.

To the poster that told her to go get a dog
Please Save out animals for RESPONSIBLAE homes
we get MANY dogs and cats and other pets who ALSO need foster care and they too are coming into the home with MANY issues as are those adopted from shelters She would end up handing that dog over JUST as she did that poor child

Foster care for Any living thing takes a PASSION and Dedication and a commitment and responsibility to that child
This woman is seriously lacking these things
her best bet os to get one of the new Fish tanks they are computerized they are new out and have Life like looking fish in the tank costs 20.00 and you never have to feed it but it looks real
That is what she needs then MAYBE she can try a guinea pig AFTER she takes a few classes Maybe someday she will work her way up to parent hood who knows

I do now this though 300 and some odd dollars to take care of JUST one kids needs and wants is Not bad That is DANG good to be exact and IF in fact you had that PLUS your own funds and you did not think it was enough then Honey Please do not adopt because when you adopt NO One will be handing you 300 and some to help care for that child So what do you plan on doing adopting then go on welfare?

This is the type people we have fostering and wonder why the system is so over worked and kids slip through the cracks Too little Social workers Too many kids Too little time and Too many people like this taking kids into their homes

I pray that she changes her mind before things get too involved

OH and by the way Adopted kids they come with problems as well
How do I know
I am one.

I cannot believe what I just read. It makes me sick just thinking about the intention that you had when you became a foster parent. Just thinking about yourself, like the birthparents only they ARE the parents. Maybe you just weren't meant to have children.

That girl needed help and support, she has been through more than you could ever know, because oviously you think that this is a perfect world with perfect children and you found a good way to legally adopt a child with a 12 week course, that you took twice. "They teach people how to parent a child in 3 months".

You even get paid.

These kids are hurt, they have emotional bonds with their parents and some people will never experience the pain and hurt that follows being removed from their homes.

They expect these kids to be good and calm while their being examined by doctors, CPS workers, psychologists. They're being diagnosed with mental problems, medicated, etc. Transported from home to home.

Imagine for yourself what it would be like to be taken from your home and brought to live with someone else. Being poked at and picked at while you are defenseless.

Imagine if you were then rejected by the foster parent.

PLEASE GO TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER AND GET A DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You were already crying about the money, You SURE you want to adopt.

Like Kelly and Stephanie said, I think Allison also went into fostering for the totally wrong reason. That said, Allison is no different then MANY foster parents. I worked for DCF for nearly 6 yrs. My take on foster homes is this: Many were either in it for the money or with hopes of finding children to adopt. The district where I worked was in such high need of foster homes that the foster homes/ parents KNEW they could be choosey (to a fault) because if they weren't willing to take little Johney with the impulse control issue due to seeing mom and dad fight to the point of bleed shed, they could possibly get little timmy who was withdrawn and wouldn't peep a word from years of physical abuse. So to many, they would not lose out on any money because if Johney didn't arrive, Timmy did. Along with that, there were many foster homes that could only take children at night and must be picked up in the mornings. They get the same shelter payment for keeping children from 8 PM to 6 AM as the good homes who keep all day. Other foster parents, probably like Allison, were so consumed with wanting that child to be theirs that EVERYTHING had to work toward that agenda. I encountered way too many parents who hated seeing "their child" go off to visits with their parents or relatives... because they wanted the parental rights severed quickly and for them to adopt. What Florida (and other states) needs is GOOD foster homes. Homes that truly do it for the children. For those that really take care of the kids like they would their own, the payment IS NOT going to cover everything.. but will come close. I personally gave everyone of my school aged foster kids 3 brand new school uniforms (required in my area), and tons of Christmas gifts. I was not alone. Near all workers did the same thanks to local charities.
I know that DCF has problems. It was because of the overwhelming problems within DCF (and the court system) and problems it was causing my family that I decided to leave. Though I have seen many problems, DCF, in itself is not all to blame. Foster parents, Judges, attorneys, DCF workers, unfit parents and kids themselves are ALL to blame.

Yes you assessed the situation appropriately. The young Lady did have adoption and Foster care confused. The idea of taking an eight week MAPP course and not documenting your time, date, and subject matter open the door for confusion.

For the Foster parent that's disheartened by foster care, please understand that these children were removed for exactly the reason she described. Hellish conditions. Children are not removed because they came from a good home, but that they came from a home where conditions were unsafe.

If she searches her heart and consult with each other or pastor maybe they'll both understand why they were blessed with a child from hell and their purpose. Maybe, life or both of their childhood lives will help them understand why they were chosen for that experience. But, at this time until the do some soul searching, I agree they are not ready to give the love, hope, and nurturing environment that these children need, deserve, and has no price tag to compensate
for these reguirements.

First let me start off by saying that you went into fostering with completely the wrong intentions. It sounds as if you were expecting a perfect child, without previous issues who would come into your life and live happily ever after. Its easy to understand how you might wish for this - however its completely implausible.

Children who enter the system - even straight after birth generally come with a set of 'issues' they will be currently dealing with and may continue to deal with throughout life.

It sounds as if you wanted the benefits of adoption plus the financial compensation of fostering.

I am shocked you were not eliminated - because I'm sure your ill-advised intent would have carried over through the MAPP classes you took. Sadly, the system is in desperate need of safe homes and you were chosen.

The child you had removed from your home will now know your rejection as well. I hope you can somehow concieve a child of your own - because your clearly not good candidates for the special needs of a foster child.