Paperwork + Trainings

When you walk into your first training session, they give you a 2 inch binder that is full of papers that contain checklists, forms to fill out, training notes, etc..  I was pretty overwhelmed but I think I had so much excitement of that first training I didn't care too much.  Since I was still praying through this whole decision at the time, I just saw it as a binder full of info that would either propel me into this journey or cause me to pump the breaks.  It also helped me to ask better questions and gave me a little more insight so I could ask informed questions... Anyways, if you're curious what all is on that to-do list, I've listed most of the items below. 

Paperwork:

1. Application Packet (18 pages)
2. Auto Insurance
3. Homeowners/Renters Insurance
4. Company info including a pay stub
5. Reference Letters submitted from 6 people
6. Drivers License
7. Birth Certificate
8. Social Security Card
9. Diploma or Transcripts
10. Criminal History Background Check
11. Authorization for Release of Information – Child Placing Agency + Professionals
12. FBI Priors Form
13. Fingerprinting Form
14. TB Test Results
15. Family Violence Form
16. Foster/Adoptive Parent Physician’s Statement
17. Supervised Childcare Experience Form
18. Affidavit for Applicants Form
19. Disaster Plan Questionnaire
20. Medical and Dental Providers Form
21. School Information Sheet
22. Driving Record Statement
23. Application for Driving Record, approval for your agency to pull your records
24. Daily Schedules (Summer + School)
25. Rules, Consequences, and Rewards
26. Floor Plan (including Fire Escape Routes and Tornado Routes)
27. Fire Evacuation Training
28. Environmental Health Checklist
29. Home Environment Check
30. Infant/Toddler Checklist
31. Child Profile Checklist
32. Babysitter Worksheet
33. Rabies Vaccinations for pets
34. Pictures for your file

Trainings (total = approx. 34.5 hours):

1. Intro + Orientation (3 hrs)
2. Therapeutic Parenting Preparation Part 1 (3 hrs)
3. Therapeutic Parenting Preparation Part 2 (3 hrs)
4. Therapeutic Parenting Preparation Part 3 (8 hrs!)
5. Cultural Competency Training (3 hrs)
6. First Aid/CPR Training + Certification (3 hrs)
7. Adoption Training (3 hrs)
8. Psychotropic Medications (2.5 hrs)
9. Administering Psychotropic Meds (2 hrs)
10. Medical Consenter Training (2 hrs)
11. Transportation Safety (2 hrs) 

**Keep in mind, there might be differences based on the agency requirements.

They tell you to just breathe (a lot) but from there I worked on them as I could.  Work on a few forms here and there and before you know it, they are all done.  It took me a lot of time to gather random things like official documents, draw my floor plans, create evacuation plans, and fill out the fire forms that are in prep of a home study to ensure I've got a fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, etc.  The actual forms aren't hard, its just a lot of work because it's so many details.  Just to give you an idea, I submitted my application packet in April (which I started in March) and finished at the end of September!  As you can see, its no small feat so I was definitely excited to turn in those last few items.

Of course, in addition to this, there has been an abundance of prayer, blog/book reading, talking to people, etc.  I'll do a separate post about resources for those of you that are considering this journey and/or are just curious.