Training

We started our required DHS adoption training on Thursday (May 1). We will go every Tuesday and Thursday through the month of May, for three hours each evening. Tonight was our second night. We've quickly realized that we're not going to get a ton of training specific to us, unfortunately. The training is for anyone involved with the DHS system, basically. So, adoption, foster, and kinship are all in the class together. It's VERY focused on the foster side of it...we're getting a lot of information on we're just temporary...we're the bridge, taking the kids wherever their permanent home is...we're working with the birth family to work toward re-unification. That's NOT us, though. We're ONLY adopting. We will not be fostering anyone. So, by the time we meet these kids they will be a possible permanent placement for us. I say 'possible' only because there is always the possibility that we won't be able to adopt someone who initially comes into our home to be adopted. The point is, though, we will not be working with birth families or working toward re-unification.

Out of 20-25 people in our class, there is only one other couple that is there for adoption. So, I can see why we would be grouped with foster and kinship. I can also see how we can benefit from seeing all sides of the training. We need to know where our kids were before coming to us....and, since they will be coming from foster care, it will help us to see the training foster parents receive. I just really wish we could have that training as adoptive parents. I wish we could be in a class that was designed for adoptive parents. I just feel like most of our time is being wasted.