I'm sure they will have some sort of training. But one of the most important things to do is write everything down in a log. Make sure you keep accurate records in case they need that information in court. And also to protect yourself.

I have previously done foster care about ten yrs in the state of Alabama. Requirements are different in each state but in the state of Alabama you have to take a 10-12 week course before you can foster. In this course we teach what to expect, depending on the age of the child and their medical history. I assume all states have some type of training program you have to attend before becoming a licensed foster home. In the state of Alabama both potential foster parents have to attend at least 80% of the classes. They are fingerprinted to see if they have had any child molestation or child abuse charges in the past, if so they are immediately disqualified. After your training you get a call one day and they give you what history they have on the child, make a time, place and date to pick them up. If your going to do small children its good to carry some type of stuffed animal with you to ease the fears of the child. Older male children usually respond to matchbox car of JI Jo something they can hold onto and feel safe. Teens respond well to McDonalds as an ice breaker or pizza that way they can sum you up before entering a strange house with you. A radio or small T.V. in their room usually sets them at ease, that way they can stay in their room until they start to feel comfortable with interactions without feeling secluded. You shouldn't have anyone at your house when you first bring them home to much to adjust to to fast. Some children overload if they have to meet
a whole room of strangers first thing.
You will need to keep a log and pic's would be nice of when they came to your house, when they went to the doctor, dentist, visits of birth parents or calls of birth parents. Log any arguements u may have right away and let social worker know right away. This helps you to keep a journal for any future use. Foster Parenting is hard work but very rewarding. Hope this helps.

My question is kind of related. We want to do foster to adopt. Will they only place us with children that are up for adoption? Or will we have us take on foster and adoptable children. We are doing this to find a child to adopt that is compatible with us. We can't have children of our own.

AB... It depends on your states program. I did adoption through foster care and we were only placed with children who where becoming available for adoption. In some states they do just regular foster placements and then if they become available for adoption you get first choice. Check with your state to find out how they do it.

We just had our first of a ten week foster parenting course last night - we are in Alabama.

ABJones - if the child has been in FC long enough to be ready for adoption, then they have probably been with a foster family and it is likely that that family will want to adopt - especially if the child is small and if they have had them since birth. When a child enters fostercare the state typically tries for one year to get the parents in order and then if they don't get their stuff together the parental rights are terminated and the child becomes available for adoption at that point - so what I am saying is you really won't know when a child first enters the program if they will be adoptable or not - that depends on how the parents respond to the demands of the sate in terms of straightening their lives up.