Why to people foster children through an agency when you can foster kids though the state?

Question

Is there any benefit to foster a child through an agency? I dont get it?

Answer 1

I don't really understand about the agencies as in our area only the state handles foster care.

Answer 2

They are all the same kids...sometimes agencies will help out with different programs and resources, but generally state agencies will do the same if you ask them. Some agencies will have reuinions and meet ups....I suppose that would be about the only difference--minus the money to work with a private agency.

Answer 3

it depends on your state and even county...

here, contacted agencies usually get the children with more issues and sometime they specialize in certain things, and sometimes they accept kids from all over the state, region, and even country....

most kids first coming in care here are placed in public foster home and the rate of pay there is basic rate, most of the foster agencies are at some level of special needs rate and it costs that state more to pay the social workers and pay the foster parents... and oddly, a few of the ones dealing with infant placements for adoption don't pay the foster parents anything (but the children do get WIC and Medicaid)  

getting a private agency to do a homestudy for adoption is also another situation all together, and basically public DSS here does not do adoption only homestudies...

but honestly, most of the foster parents who foster for the private agencies do have the children with more needs (at least their first basic rate public foster parent asked for their removal)  and do get more money... and sometimes a whole lot more...

Answer 4

well for one the state foster care only comes out once a month or so and you get paid half of an agency. and there isnt much back ground checks. were an agency looks into the background of the kids more and you are seen a lot. you get more help with an agency. and you get paid double. the agency i am with does a lot of activities and is always there for me if i have any questions. its more one on one. also state has about 20-30 kids per social worker and an agency usually has about 15 kids.  

Answer 5

Sometimes the state bureaucracy can be very complicated, demanding, and confusing. In some states it can be very difficult to figure out how to get through it all.

The benefit to using an agency is that they can help you understand the process, go through the paperwork with you, and basically just make things go more smoothly than if you had to navigate the system all by yourself.

At least some agencies provide additional resources and training. While the state provides those things as well, some families find having the extra input and support from the agency very helpful.

To use a very inadequate analogy, it's like why travel agents are still in business even though you can book your own trip. It's help navigating what is sometimes a complicated process.

(Assuming, of course, you mean an agency that helps find foster and adoptive parents for children in state care. If you mean an agency that provides cradle care for privately adopted newborns, please clarify that's what you meant; my answer would then be totally different.)

Answer 6

Well in my state you get paid the same as through the state but there are benifits.  For starters the Social worker that has fewer kids to deal with and can  help you naviagte the state better. Like when comes to team meetings with birth parents services availbel to you etc.  They have time to do those things.  we are fostering through the state and the worker comes once a month and is never at her phone if you have a question it takes a week or more for he to return your call.  I  wish went through an agency becuase the personal attention especially for a new foster parent is there.  

Also agencies activley try to get therapy for the children if needed and try to help you if you get over worked.  The services are there through the state but you as the foster parent have to be active in asking for them.  I am a social worker not for foster care i work with the elderly but i know many people in the system, so i know what is out there to ask for.  If you don't ask in the state you don't get.  In an agency they offer all kinds of things to you that you may not even want.

EDIT

Another reason i know some people do it is because to be a foster parent  you need to go through classes, and have a home study and back ground check. In my county the classes are only offered every 8 weeks and they are every X night or Y morning.  Through private agency they have a wide array of times days and locations for classes to fit your sechedule. Also they are quick in getting home studies done.  ours took  5 months in a private agency often times you are done in one month.

This is all related to case load though

Answer 7

The agency is there for moral support. They also provide a lot of resources that the state does not, and they can help you navigate through state resources. For example In AZ DES will give the foster parents an extra $50 for the child's birthday and Christmas, The state will not just come out and tell you all the money that the child is entitled to but the agencies (who are working for you) know all the ends and outs of the system.

Answer 8

We did a potential foster-to-adopt placement with a newborn that had downs. When mom decided to parent we were able to meet with her and fill her in on his schedule. I am not sure the state would have encouraged the meeting even though it was in HIS best interest.