This is Why We Are Leaving Our Foster Agency

[@megmo3030]

It's a shame that you hands were tied in this situation. That is how it feels much of the time as a public school teacher...very sad. It is great to see you are pushing forward and opening a window when a door is slammed closed. 😊

[@suzannadannaTARDIS]

If there's one thing I've learned about you Whitney - once something happens to you, you share the information with others in a way that they don't get tripped up by 'this is a rule, but we're not going to tell you about this rule unless you break it." I'm so sorry those kids were displaced, but ultimately, you and John grew and the next fosters placed with you will benefit from what you learned.

[@joaniemedert4724]

I’m so impressed with how respectful you are when discussing the tough situation your family and the foster children went through. All an agency has to do is watch your videos to see how lucky they (and future foster children) would be to have you on their team. Looking forward to seeing how things play out on the new path you are on. ❤️

[@YT4Me57]

I wish you the best. Years ago I had the experience of working with CPS and foster care workers, advocating for a child in my class, and his foster family. Along with other teachers and service providers in the school, we returned from summer vacation to provide background on the child's growth under the care of his foster family. The situation was that the social worker took out his resentment against the family on the child and was pushing to remove him from the home. It would have been devastating for that child and his sibling who would have been separated. The parents were out shopping and their teenage daughter refused to admit the male social worker in the home (rightly so). The worker falsified his report and recommended the immediate removal of the children. The school administration demanded a session with his superiors. The conclusion: The children remained with the family and did well socially, physically and academically. The worker was fired.

[@msgottaneedtoknow]

This is the kind of thing that scares me about giving these people so much power over other people’s lives. The damage even ONE bad egg can do is catastrophic.

[@teijaflink2226]

Good that they didn't only govon the Words of a case worker without investigating, an individual person shouldn't have so much power just because they are stupid or dislike someone. So important specially here because you're playing with childrens lives so everything should be about what is best for them and not about you.

[@emilyroberts861]

I live in the south and private agencies in this area tend to be religion based. As a same-sex couple, we shy away from that. Also, while we are practicing Christians (Episcopalian), we don’t believe in proselytizing foster children. You just have to find licensing in whichever way works best for you and your family. We have a great experience with our county; I hope your next experience is great.

[@sistermadrigalmorning233]

I'm also an Episcopalian and was thinking I didn't really know agencies that aren't like super evangelical lol.

[@patrobertson772]

Working in child protection for a very long time I’ve been in same type situation where I’ve been happy in a position but over time things have changed for many reasons and I had to make a difficult decisions with what was best for me and the kids I advocate for. Good luck and keep protecting and advocating for children!

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Thank you for sharing your experience 💛

[@heyitscourtney5168]

This is the most calm KZbin channel I've ever watched so far. I love it. Their not yelling or adding sound effects or even adding ads. They're just talking and explaining real life situations and how to solve them. Thank you so much.

[@girlfromsouth214]

One of the most important things I learned from your channel, aside from witnessing living love, is to have empathy and compassion for birth families and respect reunification when it is the best interest of the children. Any families that have their kids placed with you hits the jackpot when it comes to foster families. . I look forward to seeing the doors open for the next child/children to be placed with you.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Mission accomplished then. Those are our 2 biggest messages 🙌🏼

[@jessicamac8451]

My wife and I are foster parents in Texas. We got licensed in February of this year and are fostering our first placement right now! It’s super frustrating that we as foster parents have no say in what happens to the children in our care. I am as proactive and protective as I can be. I’m not afraid to speak out and call out CPS when they are failing. But, you’re absolutely right in that they are extremely overworked. We also praise and thank them at every opportunity. We are supposed to work as a team to help support and heal families when they need it the most. If any of us are not operating at our very best, it’s appropriate to hold each other accountable. The children deserve nothing but our absolute best.

[@lauradavis4848]

100% agree! I did kinship fostering in TX a couple of times. And the whole process can be very frustrating, and in the end, it's always the children who suffer. Keep up the good work. Praying for you and your wife and you go on this journey. It's frustrating at times but so rewarding ❤

[@catherinewinkeler8587]

Omg. Never call cps Over problem. U will b marked for life and can affect your own family. Call the agency.

[@jessicamac8451]

@@catherinewinkeler8587 We are licensed through CPS so they are our “agency”. I’m not scared to speak the truth with love if it is in the best interest of the child and not out of my own ego or pride. We have some awesome CPS workers in our area who we respect and who respect us. The children in our care are our family. Even if only for a short while. I’m going to love and protect them like my own.

[@catherinewinkeler8587]

@@jessicamac8451 didn't know they were licensed through cps. If someone makes an anonymous call or a child gets hurt, there will b an investigation and report made. That report will follow you and if something else happens it will b in your file. Just saying....

[@jessicamac8451]

@@catherinewinkeler8587 I don’t believe they are licensed through CPS. I’m speaking for myself on that one. When you say if someone makes a call, are you referring a call to CPS about the foster family?

[@margaretthym8234]

Glad to hear you are moving forward. We are with you and will support you in every and anyway possible. I truly hope that the next decision maker is open minded and as you said, gives you a chance to show how much you care. These children in care deserve a home like yours and it would be a major disservice to them and the entire foster system to force you to close your home.

[@mione134]

I always appreciate your transparency regarding how foster care works and how the agencies work. You never sugarcoat what goes on. And regarding foster kids, you have never divulged any information regarding who the children are. It hurts my heart how somebody could come to a conclusion and say you guys violated any rules. You have always been upfront about the system. Very educational. The system is so broken. And you and John have tried to help the best way you could. I hope you are able to still serve and help more children. You both have my utmost respect.

[@LindaY26]

I love your attitude in this whole mess. I love 98% of all the social workers that I’ve dealt with over the years, but those who were a part of that 2% can really hurt the good you try to do. You and John are amazing people, so keep up the fight. ❤️

[@meredithmackenzie7856]

You’re so well spoken. This will help those who are in it like you are.

[@Justjessb123]

Thank you so much for covering this, there isn’t a lot of information about the differences a lot of times it’s “do your research, it’s a personal decision”. It’s hard to know what to ask if you don’t understand what could be similar or different.

[@EBCanada]

I had some very tough mental health moments after going through a foster to adopt process. People assume the biggest challenges are around adjusting children into your home. Unfortunately it is often the system that causes so much trauma for everyone. As someone who was in theory on the side of the caseworkers I can't imagine what it feels like to be a birth family. Know that so many people understand what you are going through. All the best.

[@erinaa9486]

Wow, this is so terrible to hear 😔

[@LifeinBonnieland]

Yep. I have always maintained that the hardest part of parenting isn't the kids, it's other adults.

[@pipercomer7551]

me too ...

[@shaddowsdieout]

From the birth family perspective, its terrifying, isolating, seems like it'll never end. Even if we improve and take all the classes and show effort. The fear and emptiness never leaves. Its lingered even after 2 years since our case was closed

[@LifeinBonnieland]

@@shaddowsdieout 💔💔💔💜

[@jonanna8516]

Good Luck guys. Be kind to yourselves during this period. I can only imagine the sheer level of government madness you are going through.

[@savannahvick5266]

It’s so strange to me that the county or agency wouldn’t want your family to be a foster family. Your family is amazing and you can clearly tell you have the kids best interests at heart. It’s hard to find foster families that are genuine and really care about the kids. Why would they give that up?

[@taylormcraig]

"More support" is such a double edged sword when it comes to fostering. lol Especially if you have multiple cases in your home at once.. each child has a network of people attached to them that are now very involved in your life.. it's easy to get overwhelmed. We chose the county specifically because of the foreseen communication issues between a middle man (private agency) you talked about.. wanted to avoid that. I think there are definitely pros and cons to both though.

[@kg3185]

You're courage to try again and risk rejection is amazing! It gives me hope to do the same in different situations in my own life. Very impressive! :)

[@thatswhattomorrowisfor3745]

I have to tell you how much I chuckled when you were talking about ethnic hair care. When my husband went through our "new foster parent" licensing classes ( 20ish years ago) there was a very brief mention of hair care. I had NO idea black hair was not to be washed as often! In [ur class there happened to be a woman I had gotten close with over the course of these classes, I was telling here about how surprised I was--she being african american said "Girl if I see a nappy headed chhild running around town I know who to coming looking for!" She was so gracious and patient inhelping we learn some new lessons.🙂 Good luck with all you are doing.

[@honestlykayla8249]

Thank you so much for shouting out the caseworkers! ❤

[@KiraSun1]

In my state the per diem is different because of childcare costs. The state pays a lower daily rate, but they also pay for daycare. The agencies have a higher daily rate, but daycare isn't included.

[@painterscastle]

Here in the UK you are expected to have one fostercarer be a stay at home carer so that daycare is not needed. So most fostercarers would not work outside the home until children are at school.

[@brittaneyanderson9125]

Whitney and John these kids were so lucky to have you two as foster parents ..you two are so kind loving and caring for the children that you guys take in and any future foster placements with you would be really lucky to have you two...not only do you two have two kids of your own who you two take Really great care of and love but you also take in kids that are less fortunate and love them like your own kids ❤ I really admire you two for that ...keep up the amazing work you two do for every kid

[@colleenshaw1607]

I. DON'T. BLAME. YOU. AT ALL!!!! i just said the headline and felt the probable collective relief many have for you in making such a big move. I hope as you go forward with your journey you find the right agency that suits your needs and does their best for the kids.

[@halaissa3430]

There is a special place in heaven for people like you and your family , my deepest respect

[@RWorley3sl]

A family i know, fosters babies and toddlers. One baby they had since very young was up for adoption. When asked if they would adopt. They said yes, the social worker propmply tried to take the baby away as their might be an uncle somewhere. They went above his head as he refused to talk to them. They still have the baby, but its all up in the air.

[@jodistevenson5479]

Always excited when you upload!!

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@lisadurbin5994]

Thank you so much for your continued voice in support of a better foster care system for our country!

[@saradevos83]

What a difference with my country....no wonder kids get lost in the system. Foster care in Belgium is split into regions (like states but much smaller) but the rules are federal. The classes I followed all Belgian foster parents have to follow. The rules are mostly the same everywhere. I couldn't imagine private foster care here.... I wish the process was more caring for the children and the families willing to take them in. I wish your journey goes more smoothly. The people receiving the information should look at your videos. They were clean and very informative for others wanting to get involved.

[@aciewha7702]

It really angers me to no end when good foster families arent supported by the county/agency. I feel especially thru the county. I feel like it’s a bad hotel. Where everything “looks” nice but if something breaks or happens ur on ur own. However if someone complains about u , then ur held to a different standard. However there are horrible foster homes that seem to get away with everything short of “extreme abuse” because they are willing to take large sibling groups, kids with behavioral issues, and just 3 or more kids. They do not support those who take in 1 or 2 kids and really invest in those children. They wonder why there aren’t enough foster parents. I’m so proud of everything your family has done for children.

[@teijaflink2226]

Shouldn't it be a warning signal to anyone if a family agreed to any placements, a family who doesn't shows that they really care that the child will fit in their family and have a good experience. I don't understand how these organisations who have this as their job can't see problem/risks like this when even regular people like me who haven't even fostered can är it

[@stacyhines4282]

This is a great video! Thank you. We became a kinship foster placement between states for a child in care and we finally just got licensed and had the child placed with us, now our county is switching to privatization so we have to be licensed all over again and it’s only been 2 months since we got licensed. This helped me understand better what is going on.

[@MadisonHarlow]

All someone has to do is watch your videos featuring Miss A to prove how awesome of a parent and foster parent you are. I think it speaks volumes that even though she’s reunited with her family that she still wants a friendship with you and your children. Only a child that had a positive experience would want that. I know you can’t give specifics, but it’s hard to imagine what made them think you broke confidentiality because I think you do an excellent job of concealing their identities. It’s a shame that with so many bad people in the world that they would take kids out of a clean, safe and caring family like yours. I feel bad both for your family and the children who had to be moved around. You guys do so much right and I’m sure the new county you are working with will see that.

[@shannonbrice8012]

I also think the bio parents are pretty awesome. Not many would be ok with their child going back and hanging with a foster family every couple of weeks. This says to me both the bio and foster parents were putting the needs of the child first. It also says to me that the foster family was a good influence on A and had her best interest at heart.

[@smaebell]

Questions: How do the agencies make money? Are the subcontracted by the counties? How do they decide which kids go to the agency vs being handled by the county? Do families chose/request? Are agencies 501c3?

[@jamiethompson738]

So as someone who is a social worker I can answer a few of these questions. It depends on the state and county. Most of the time a county cps Child Abuse and Neglect Investigator takes in children the clock begins to find them a placement. It depends on how many families the counties have and the beds available in their county. When I say bed, a family can have a bed that fits the criteria of the child i.e. a family can chose kids 0-10 only or siblings groups, etc. If a child does not match the criteria a worker can call and ask, but a family has the right to say no. If there are not beds in the county that is involved they will reach out to other counties and agencies. The same process is applied. To be clear the county is always involved, but when there is a agency also involved there are two Case workers one for the agency and one for the county. The county has final say as they are the ones who have custody. Some agencies get funding from grants, donors, etc. Most are 501c3.

[@pipercomer7551]

I think this varies between locations and states... some states and counties have an extensive public foster care system and rarely contract the kids out. others pretty much send all kids out .. back in the day therapeutic which was all private agency placements then were paid way more because they kids were more difficult. Basic rate kids as they were called stayed with public foster care placements. One of our local cities had a national news case where the DSS did not listen to anyone and let an infant die in foster care... the result is now all children are not placed in private agencies homes... these cost more because an additional case manager is involved ... and the kids care levels are determined by Virginia Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Tool a form completed by the private agency to determine level of pay... how do they decide... the pretty much just start calling who has open beds for that age group ... will sometimes ask you to take kids outside your listed age groups.. I did basic regular foster care and always got placement straight from intake .. and we did get children at times with very significant behaviors ... also another crazy thing in this is sometimes our other state services specifically look at how many homes the child has been moved from to decide if a kid qualifies for some service (not fair cause some parents will put up with anything) and also SSI actually looks at that as well for children with emotional problems ... but basically who you get is a crap shoot

[@saltysaturngirlie]

On my paperwork, the per diem will say for example $90 total, but then it breaks down and says essentially $45 for me and $45 goes to the agency. I am not sure how else they get funding but that seems like one of them! Also my agency said they see mostly sibling groups and high needs children that are not able to be placed through the county.

[@lindsaydavis9218]

I think it’s absolutely ridiculous what happened with you guys! You’ve always been very respectful of the kids privacy! The system is so broken! Thank you for continuing to advocate for kids!! What’s your plan if they don’t accept the transfer?

[@lovekyds]

I transferred agencies, my current agency is awesome! Extremely supportive

[@KiKiQuiQuiKiKi]

Tutus & Tennis Shoes-what a beautiful outreach!

[@sandyb34]

You are so well spoken. I wish the agency and all involved would watch one of your videos. They would see how respectful you are. They are losing a gem!

[@athenabozak9827]

Thank you!!! I'm going through this right now. I've been crying for the last week after my agency and county worker teamed up and made a decision that was not in the best interest of my infant placement. When I raised questions about thier decisions, they removed the baby even sooner in order to stop my from attempting to file a grievance. It's horrible. We have no voice. I'm getting ready to "port" over to another agency because my current one is very unethical. Agencies can write negative things in your file and even revoke your license. It's horrendous. Luckily the new agency I have chosen knows about my agencies reputation and have told me they will dismiss any negative records my current agency might "slide in" in retaliation. Thank goodness! I'm curious, what did your agency say when you told them you wanted to transfer? For anyone wanting to transfer to another agency, I recently learned that the losing agency has 20 days by law, to initiate the transfer process. Also, CASA is a great organization to be involved with if you want to advocate for foster kids but not necessarily be a resource or foster parent. Thank you again for sharing your story. I'm glad to know I'm not alone navigating this extremely messed up system.

[@MakeupJunkie0000]

You are so well spoken and tactful with your words it really is something to admire. My small involvement with court and government/child welfare was a nightmare. Keep up the great work. I’m sorry you had this happen to you but what better way than to use it to inform others like you are. Thank you for all that you do!

[@ndgchurch]

I was with a private agency I had the children a year and a half in my home and they were moved out of my home because people couldn’t decide higher up how to handle a situation so I can totally relate to you

[@meredithwemhoff9270]

Thank you for sharing your journey and letting us be a part of it. Sending good vibes and hoping for a positive outcome! ❤️

[@sweetlilella1983]

We lost our two respite days paid per month and therapy hours for foster parents with high needs kids. I never got a clothing stipend. When weekends come I feel panicked because their is no after hours support.

[@simplesarahgirl9691]

You haven’t disclosed any kids. You are being open about how this industry works and share your experience. They need foster help so badly and they are being petty about your channel. And your channel is transparent.

[@cocomac5788]

There was a privacy policy breach with the last set of kids that was placed with them.. They removed the video or any video relating to the children

[@neshapruitt4756]

@@cocomac5788 that’s the thing tho, they never showed the kids . Never used their name. Only loved them. Nothing was different than with Miss A .

[@cocomac5788]

@@neshapruitt4756 there was a video of detangling neglected black hair of one of the children they were caring for it was a breech of their privacy.. even tho it didn't show the kids face

[@lupeeshalupeesha2741]

I may be wrong but I think think THINK in the hair video the camera pans out and for a very VERY brief moment you can see the little boy on the couch and his face is not blurred. I remember watching and being like "wait, was that...?" Because then that video was removed before the rest of them were. But regardless any child, foster or not, would be loved and respected in their care.

[@ashleyw7891]

@@neshapruitt4756 Using any kids in your KZbin videos seems exploitative to me. Worse when these are kids who are already vulnerable. You can love kids without putting them on camera when they are too young to consent.

[@psychicdiva4907]

Our county gets the babies, the agencies get more complex behavioral kids. (Or at least their rated that way) and 💯 yes to the hair video. My sweet foster daughter doesn’t have enough hair to worry about yet, but when she does, I want to know it all. 💜👍🏼 I will keep you in my prayers. The county would be lucky to have you.

[@amymenjivar3489]

Agencies/counties can be really vindictive. Hope your current agency doesn't see this and just close your home so you can't foster in another county.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

It’s their choice, we won’t be bullied into silence.

[@berryhij1]

@@BeTheVillageCommunity Good for you! Someone needs to stand up for these kiddos.

[@DigiTiLMon]

The needs of the child is always first. At least this is what everyone says. As a foster parent I can say the department puts the needs of the child last unless it benefits them. Foster parents must advocate constantly for this!

[@ashlyn7090]

sending love, good vibes, and prayers your way!

[@melissagreen1117]

Hope you guys are able to get things going again. You are such good foster parents. Hav a good nite 🌛

[@melykm4051]

There should be an external review of that agency. Children were disrupted and trauma was caused over an extremely minor "violation" that none of us can even tell happened in regards to children's privacy.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Problem is, it’s the county. Which means the state would have to step in. We are looking into that but it’s challenging because of course, they don’t want the extra work.

[@lesliesheppard6112]

I can’t wait for that video! We need that information STAT!

[@amyeli33]

I think you did the best you could with what happened. I hope you are still able to foster in the future though.

[@jeanettenancyscott2743]

On your resource list make sure you talk to state departments of veterans groups a child of a veteran may have some assistance they can help with. Also a child may have scholarships opportunities even if the are a grandchild great grandchild niece nephew of a veteran. So don’t look over this opportunity you have a National office in Cincinnati for the disabled American veterans that can help guide you to some resources

[@hopewelch3307]

It really makes me feel for foster kids’ families. It’s so frustrating that they refused to work with you and the relationship is just terminated and the children needed to be disrupted again. But if they’d taken Darcey and Sawyer while they investigated your parenting, it would’ve be so much worse. And it happens all the time that CPS places children who were never in any danger into a foster care setting. It’s not right those kids were disrupted over what’s really a communication error on their part. I hope your story makes other foster carers more empathetic to bio families because I know a lot need their heart softened in that regard

[@kimismith18]

Did they ever say what the actual violation was? I'm behind and I have 4 kids under 9 running around while trying to watch this. Lol

[@debzhughes5270]

It's such a shame but its there loss to are wonderful foster parents if its ment to be you will continue good luck x

[@KM-ye9so]

Continuing to wish ya'll the best!

[@meschahayes1003]

How do children wind up in private agencies and not county? Aren't foster children "in the system"? Like, what dictates whether a child is with the county vs. a private agency? I'm asking this before watching all of the video Incase I forget my question and it isn't answered in the video.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

The child goes through the county and is in the temporary custody of the county. However, depending on the situation or where…. The county will place them with a foster family from the county or an agency. For Cincinnati, for example, the county does not have foster families so they are forced to “outsource” to the private agencies.

[@meschahayes1003]

@@BeTheVillageCommunity ohh ok. So it's not like children with an agency get preferential treatment?

[@lewietheschnoodle]

In California, where I interned with a foster agency, the kids are still legally in the care and responsibility of the county and the kids still have their own county social worker. The difference was that the foster parents were recruited, assessed, and trained by the agency instead of the county and the foster family has their own additional agency case manager/social worker who helps find good placement fits and is a second set of eyes on the family when a placement happens in addition to the county social worker checking in on the foster family.

[@meschahayes1003]

@@lewietheschnoodle fantastic explanation! Thank you so much!

[@melanierxdoc]

Any county or state should be so lucky to have you and John as foster parents!! What’s wrong with these people???

[@car17yn71]

We had to work with a GAL a few years back (a custody case) and she was the WORST. She was biased towards one parent. Lied about time spent observing and time spent on the case, charged for calls from people that actually had nothing to do with the case, did a home visit with the 'non-favored" parent (arriving 2 hours late and only stayed 45 minutes, but claimed she was there for 3 hours and attended a birthday party for the parent's current SO), did NOT do a home visit at the HOME of the favored parent - instead, did the visit at the grandparents' home ... and she NEVER met the spouse of the favored parent or observed that dynamic. The worst thing was that she tried to get the non-favored parent arrested multiple times for not paying her bill ... but he had paid more than the other parent (she hadn't paid ANYTHING).

[@elleandcam1020]

Curious if the agency pays more because the kids are “harder” to place. We are a agency and are always told that the kids they get are higher needs and harder to place.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Yes, and they need more services/accommodations.

[@jillianlea9690]

I really recommend being with the county ..that IS the front line ....I just really am not a fan of the private agency route , it has always felt like a snub and I totally get this may not be a fair statement but it just seems people want the cushion of an agency and place undue judgement on the county . the front line is the hardest and has the most need ...and that is the county directly. counties reimburse mileage , they give resources for clothing etc and offer services and support options. the communication and team work would be the best if you are the main contact and not the agency ..

[@meggraber9072]

We are foster parents with the county, and I used to say the same thing, but in our county right now they are transferring every single case to private agencies because the county is so understaffed and they have the absolute max of kids the few social workers can handle. So our last foster went home in March and we are considering switching for these reasons: the private agencies don't have nearly enough foster families for the volume of kids that are coming into their care. They reimburse for things like mileage where our county agency does not. They actually offer all the services and more (as far as therapy for kids, etc) that the county does- plus do weekly check-ins (we are lucky if we can get our county agency to check in monthly)... so a lot of pros there for us at this point. I do agree with you that for a lot of counties your comment is probably true, but came to say to do the research if someone is trying to decide where to get licensed because every state and county really is a bit different!

[@V.I.C.]

I hope one day you tell what thing you supposedly “violate” Bc in our eyes we didn’t see anything wrong with anything you did.. but also telling us what supposedly happened will help other foster families know what not to do if you get what I’m trying to say? Lol wel hope all works out for you guys.. and they do always say to TRUST THE PROCESS so trust it and hope for the best 😊 it should all work out for the best with you guys! 😁😁 thanks for sharing hun

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

We’ve openly talked about it. They believed we broke confidentiality and violated the children’s right to privacy.

[@morganirvine2327]

@@BeTheVillageCommunity I will never understand that you talked about how YOU are feeling and YOUR experiences have been so far, you shared nothing but age and gender. Of course the kids deserve privacy, you did a lot to keep it, they had no problem when Ms a was with you for over a year. Taking the kids out of the home feels like it would be more traumatic

[@KSMaxiefan01]

@@morganirvine2327 tbh when Miss A was around the county/agency did not know about the channel

[@miche6563]

Im not sure if i remember correctly, but i feel like someone complained, like the birth family.

[@teijaflink2226]

Then I must have totally misunderstood or remember wrong because I assumed the agency knew about the channel when they had Miss A and was okay with it but then chanced their mind with the new kids. Wouldn't it have been good to talk with them about the channel before getting foster kids? Not that it's really their business if you have a channel but just out of respect and so it wont feel to them like you have been trying to hide something if they suddenly find out about it. Just my thought (I mean if you didn't tell them because I assumed that they knew and just suddenly chanced their mind about it, like maybe the bio family didn't like it).

[@jazzicloud321]

Hi! I found your channel this year after looking for any information on fostering children. You have been such a great resource! Random question, have you or anyone else that sees this, seen people get rejected over the kinds of pets they have? I’m not talking anything dangerous/venemous, but say tortoises, lizards or snakes?

[@Mylady911]

I’m a foster parent as well and no I haven’t as long as you have a vet statement for them and they are secured and not a danger to the kids.

[@jazzicloud321]

@@Mylady911 thank you! That’s great to know

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Thanks for watching! To answer your question, not to my knowledge.

[@christag2314]

Oooo so pretty , I'm so happy you are moving your license woohooo

[@lovekyds]

Rates are the same in Michigan in private and county agency. Also I’ve seen less turnover and more support with my county vs private agencies I’ve been borrowed bed to. Mileage is covered in county too.

[@sydneyashelton8597]

Does anyone have any tips on finding local organizations that help out foster kids/families? I'd love to get involved, but I'm far from a place where I could foster myself.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Check local foster family/parent facebook groups to start but I wouldn’t recommend staying long. Also reach out to your county because they will know.

[@Justjessb123]

It was also on my counties foster parents website, it lists all the agencies.

[@tatumbuechle1120]

I volunteer with an organization called Skookum Kids. I wonder if there is something similar in your region. You might see!

[@Peppermintsunshine]

Check out Ticket to Dream. They have a list of foster children non-profits in your state/county. You can check out those nonprofits base you and volunteer.

[@k8ball666]

Ooo girl! I really like the make up look on you in this video 😘

[@babybluehashyo]

It's hard being in your situation being a youtuber because any foster agency is going to see that you are on social media and realize that you are capable of airing their dirty laundry and calling them out when they mess up. Right or wrong, they want to operate how they want without any repercussions because at the end of the day, it's a business. It may help a lot of kids, but it's still a business, and it hurts a lot of kids too, and they don't want the public to know that.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

You hit the nail on the head. The truth is, mistakes happen and we understand that. We want to work WITH the system, not against it. Providing our real experiences is not going to be an issue for most county’s or agencies unless they are doing something seriously wrong, and in that case… I don’t think we should be their biggest concern.

[@joannemoore4251]

Are you not afraid that this will continue? Like maybe no agency will be okay with your KZbin channel in any form

[@samanthatheminimalist]

Miss A’s seemed to be, I believe they switched after she reunited with her family because the other agency was closer and placements would be from closer homes but it hasn’t worked out.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Yes

[@beatingtype1]

Love this video!

[@saltysaturngirlie]

I am with NYAP Dayton. They say their per diem is higher bc they don't offer daycare reimbursement but county does. It is barely higher though and I'd rather have daycare reimbursement lol

[@mabby4885]

your makeup looks amazing btw 😍

[@OurLifeinLouisianaLovingit]

It took less than a month to transfer from a private agency to a county agency. It was simple and easy

[@kittyoliv7373]

I also live in Ohio and they are struggling alot now 😢🙏

[@busybeez88]

The county rate is higher than the private agencies. There is more resources at the county level.

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Perhaps where you are. This is the issue, it’s different where you are.

[@busybeez88]

@@BeTheVillageCommunity FYI…I’m in the process of transferring & it’s a loooong process. The county is slow. Luckily you don’t have any foster children or the agency can attempt to sabotage the transfer.

[@brianna960]

My area has no agencies or any support at all 🥴 no clothing vouchers either

[@amberbidwell8650]

Not trying to be too nosey, but curious, was Montgomery County the County you were working with? We had a really bad experience with Montgomery County...

[@abbytomkiewicz2232]

You are way too nice! The foster care system is utterly broken and messed up! I would love to foster and help children but I never will because the system would end up driving me away. So the system will continue to have horrible fosters because of how they function. It’s terrible.

[@erinaa9486]

Same!! Unfortunately, based on their videos and others I've seen on KZbin, my impression is that you have to basically put up with psychological torture as a foster parent--often involving being complicit in abuse or neglect of children you're supposed to be protecting!

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

There are other ways to support kids in care and their families

[@LP-tu8li]

If you are licensed through an agency how would you transfer your license?

[@CruisingtheworldwithJackie]

GAL - haha. Out of my 11 placements only 1 had an a GAL. Well at least an active one

[@carlasuannelockett1694]

Hi from Oklahoma 💜💜

[@NicoleDufourDuRocher]

Is it possible to go thru both county and agency? Seems ridiculous to have to pick one.

[@stephaniejackson9089]

What is the name of the organization you are working with?

[@saratillett5943]

I'm licenced through Washington state

[@Mrsksb-cc7my]

I’m still watching but I’m wondering whether there’s a process for deciding whether the children are with the county or a private agency (sorry if that’s common knowledge, I’m Australian). Thanks.

[@Justjessb123]

It’s typically the calls go out to the county foster families first then the agency’s families. From there it depends on who can be a good fit for the child, as well as which family called answers/agrees first.

[@Mrsksb-cc7my]

@@Justjessb123 thanks for your reply!

[@DrAmirahKweliCrystalRckGoddess]

Does it cost to adopt through the agency?

[@nessarose214]

You look so pretty!

[@beautywearsboots6458]

Is that "home" sign a home plate that's painted like a baseball?!

[@MissVindicat]

It might be a heart?

[@BeTheVillageCommunity]

Yup!

[@isabellaearnhardt6380]

💗

[@lagemgem2001]

There are no private agencies here, just the local Care Agency that is government run. I’ve decided that whilst they continue to put children at risk by putting parental rights first, I cannot continue to foster.

[@GuerinGrad09]

Can you please talk about the violation you received without violating the children's privacy. The reason I am asking you to do this is because is helps us foster parents and those who plan on fostering can better understand what can happen when fostering. I sincerely hope things work out and you get back into fostering. You and John are excellent foster parents and deserve to continue your fostering journey. Children deserve to be in loving homes like your own.

[@evercuriousmichelle]

I think it stems from a video they posted where the children’s faces were censored but their hair wasn’t and the agency was worried the kids would still be identifiable and so they said it was a breach of confidentiality. That said, someone please fact check me, I could be wrong!

[@evercuriousmichelle]

Edit: As soon as they learned that the video didn’t sit well with the agency, they took it down. It seems like they understood and were more than happy to be more careful in the future but I guess that wasn’t enough.

[@LifeinBonnieland]

For my family: An agency with lots of "support" actually ended up equalling an agency with enough time on their hands to actively discriminate against my disabilities. 🤦‍♀️

[@lauradavis4848]

I'm so sorry to hear the discrimination due to your disabilities. I went to check out your channel and it says no content 😢 I also suffer chronic illness, rheumatoid arthritis and there is much discrimination in the world, and I hate others have to deal with it as well.

[@LifeinBonnieland]

@@lauradavis4848 Thanks Laura 💜 Your comment means a lot to me. I had to take down all of my videos while we're in the middle of fighting a battle to keep our license. It's so frustrating and disheartening 😓

[@amandaraye210]

We had bad experiences too with our county and now no longer foster because of that. It was just too stressful on me so we decided we couldn’t do it right now

[@KiKiQuiQuiKiKi]

I bet that you have the legal right to a copy of everything that is sent to other agencies that impacts your ability to foster.

[@kaylynm4193]

❤️