Traing almost over

Next week will be our last week at training. I think Arron will miss it. He really gets a kick ot of other people. He is sooooo critical of others. Carmen told tonite that during Monday's class, we should expect a panel of people to attened to answer any questions we might have, and to give us more on information as to what will happen next. the panel was to consist of a social work, a recruiter, a foster parent and a child who aged out of the system. We were asked to please arrive early. WE"RE HERE! what happen to the panel, we asked. Oh i am sorry that will be next week. Carmen says she made a mistake. Damn! so many questions still unanswered. i'll keep u posted. Still no word from Mrs Berkley.

Angel's social worker

Once again I called Angel's social worker. Her name is Sharon Davasia. I mentioned to her that I still haven't heard from Mrs Berkley. Her excuse was, That she was out sick and that she would send her another e-mail. Training classes are coming to an end. We are suppose to have a certificate celebration during our last class. Carmen has suggested that we all bring in a dish. hmmmm what will we bring?

I spoke Io Angel's social worker today. It took a few phone calls to track her down, but I did it. She seems a Little unsure of anything. She says that she would forward an email to a Mrs Berkley, and that she would be able to further assist me. training classes are going well. I guess you can say we are learning alot.

OMG! The homework is ridiculous. I Had to tell Carmen today how i felt about it. She looked at me like I had two heads. sorry! It is way to repetitive for me. Arron and I both stopped handing it in. Carmen seems to be fine with it. Every once in a while she will make a statement about homework. Arron and me just look the other way. although. we know she is addressing it towards us. oh well. I ain't doin it! Did I mention that they feed us at every class. Usually Subway hero's or Pizza. Me personally. I don't do take out. Only because i think heroes get soggy on the way home and pizza gets all rubbery with all of that humidity from the box or bag. , so i stay away. Arron eats it. we do go directly from work, so it understandable that they offer food. their is this one girl named Sandra. she takes all the leftover food home with her. Arron get a kick out of her. She talks a lot too. Today I phoned around searching for what agency has Angel. I found it him. He is placed in Westchester cnty. He is with an agency call the Children's Village.

January 27 2009

Struggled with the homework today. Arron and i both did it on the train ride to training class. they are going to collect it and add it to out file. Arron thinks it is stupid and i think it very repetitive. You can give the same answer for all questions. Class was pretty informative today. Arron seems to like it. he like to criticize everyone else i the class. More homework today. I think Arron wants to kill me. lol

January 25 2009 Pt 2

Just got home form class. very interesting. The facilitator seems unorganized. She says UMM a lot. She is sweet though. I think it's a new position for her. Supposedly the foster care system in the city is going through a transition. The Mayor is making some serious changes.I hope it is for the best. the class had about 8 people tonite. I did notice one gay guy and a lesbian. They talk alot about fostering and less about adoption. The facilitator Carmen says the will get to that toward the end of training. wow! they gave us homework. ill let you know how it goes. I wasn't able to add angels video to my blog site. sorry.

January 25th 2009

We started our MAPP foster/adoption classes today. The classes we be held two nights a week for 5 weeks. that totals 10 training classes. Oh lawd. we have to take the train two days a week to be there in time. too much traffic for driving. i will keep u posted on how the classes go.

January Pt 6

I spoke to Arron about adopting a gay teen, and his response was shocking to me. He said it didn't matter. Coming from Arron who always has something smart to say. I was shocked. After really Thinking about it I guess it will be OK. If he is on board I guess I am too. Originally I thought that was an issue that I really didn't want to deal with. I dealt with it enough in my own life. Maybe my life gay life experience could help someone. I really don't feel like I am a typical gay guy, but what the hell. Let's do it!

January Pt 5

I am back from my orientation. I guess you can say it went well. really wasn't much to it. I filled out a couple of forms and that was really it. I was really expecting alot more. The applications ask a variety of questions. What type of kids are you interested in? What age range will you be willing to accept in your home? What ethnic background are you interested in? Are you willing to foster gay teens? Her are my answers and I'll tell you why. Obviously we are interested in teens. I put my age limit between 12 and age 15. Although I am Italian Irish & German and Arron, is African American; I entered that we were interested in white and Hispanic kids only. I know that is horrible, but its not written in stone. I only said that because we live in a predominately white and Latino community. I was thinking the child would adapt easily. When the question came up about gay teens; I didn't know what to say. I really have to give it some thought, and I did.

January Pt 4

I am heading into the city today to meet with Davina Perez. My expectations are so high. I am nervous. Why do I allow myself to get all crazy? Arron says I should calm down. My hands are all sweaty! Mrs Perez asked me to bring a few documents. I have them all ready.

I think maybe I should mention that today's date is really June 1st and i am racking my brain to recollect the time and order in which these events happened. That is why I am using January in parts. ie: Pt 1,2 & 3 etc. Today i found an Agency online that sets up training for people who want to become foster/adoption parents/ I spoke to a women by the name of Davin Perez. She told me that they only have orientations on the weekends. After explaining that I was only avail. during the weekdays, specifically Mondays. she was willing to hold a special orientation just for me. I was thrilled. We set up a meeting for the following Monday. I was to go into Manhattan to Episcopal children services @ 305 W28st and 7Th ave.

January Pt 3

Today I went to the ACS web site. ASC stands for Administration for Children services. I searched around for Angel, and sure enough I found him. Fortunatley you can inquire about him on the site. I entered in an inquirey letter today and was prompted to wait 10 days for a

social worker to respond. Now I have to get moving on with what procedures need to be followed to adopt a child.

January 2009 Pt 2

Today I spoke to Arron and I showed him the video of Angel on line. It took a little convincing, but i got him on board. I don't think that I mentioned in my first post that the Wednesday child are teenagers that want to be adopted. My argument was, we have this big old house and lots of room, and the state also helps with funding. Angel who wants to become an oceanographer stated in his video with such conviction, that he just wanted to be a part of a loving family, that didn't care about age. well I don't care about age. Arron might. It's time to give back. I also mentioned to Arron that we have a high school near by that specializes in oceanography. How convenient is that? hopefully I will be able to post Angels video for y'all to see.

January 2009

Wow, Today I seen a segment on channel 4 news called the Wednesdays child. Apparently they show a different child every Wednesday that is in the foster care system and whom wants to be adopted. Today I seen a video of a child named Angel. He wants to be an oceanographer. He looks really cute and seems to know what he wants. Obama says to give back. Do you think we should? Do we have it in us to do such a thing? Maybe we will give it a shot. I will run by Arron when he gets home from work.