Thursday, May 10, 2018

Information Gathering

As a foster parent you will wear many different hats. One of the many challenges of foster care is information gathering.

We did a few days respite care for a tiny 6 month old baby. Tiny as in wears size 0 to 3 month size clothing tiny. Way underweight. No core body strength, can't sit up, many delays. She has been in care for over a month.Treatment is a challenge. Why? Because there is no medical history for her. Was she premature? What was her birth weight? Having some medical history could totally change what care she needs. Is she small because of something else? Does she have a genetic issue? Something else going on?

As a foster parent not having all the information we need hinders us. Some kids start all over on their shots because there are no records. Some have existing allergies, medical conditions and such that we don't know about. Thankfully some parents are eager to give all of the child's information but when they don't we have to play detective. The foster parent is on the front line, we have the child, we are responsible for the child. It is possible that a child will be dropped off at your house and you won't hear from DSS for days, perhaps longer.

One of my children came with many different issues. It is taking me forever to determine what we are dealing with. I try to have open relations with people involved in the child's life. By listening I have learned that she has lived in more homes than originally thought. That she was in fact premature. That diabetes runs in the family. General information that is helpful when going to different doctors.

Every child is unique. Some you know nothing and others you actually know quite a bit.

Interested in fostering? Put on your detective hat.

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