The ball really started rolling with my fostering licensing on October 22. I had taken the day off for an appointment, but was able to handle some other things too, namely calling Arrow. Because of that phone call, I went to a training two evenings later that week. The next week Samantha, my Arrow lady, and I began talking or emailing at least once a day.
I was frustrated that the Houston office had not forwarded my file. Samantha moved forward on getting that accomplished. (Something about scanning it in wasn't working...so it had to be mailed.) I knew my Houston paperwork was complete. The only thing we were waiting on, before a home study, was that one training class and I took it October 23 and 25....so I'm golden, right? I mean, I knew I needed a fire inspection, but she had told me the city I live in wouldn't do it and the Arrow employee would need to check that off when they come for the home study.
Then I get an email that she needed me to complete the ENTIRE application all over again simply because my address had changed. Um? Does that scream bureaucracy to anyone else? Seriously? Let's white it out and write the new one. The rest of it is the same! She couldn't create a file on me until she had an application with an address in her area. So, I redid the pages that were affected by the move and faxed those to her.
I know I'm not planning to foster until next summer. I'm giving myself one full school year to learn a new job, transition to a new city, etc. So I haven't really had a fire lit under me about all this paperwork and, at first, was moving kind of slowly. Then, in one of our conversations, she said "It will depend on who is in the position after the 19th." Um, are you leaving? Yes. Yes, she is. And she has been helpful. And actually knows ANSWERS when I ask questions. And actually INITIATES contact and provides valuable information. So, the fire was lit. I have been moving like a banshee (I have no idea if that simile even makes sense. Go with me on it, please. :)
So, I get all the paperwork turned in to her...and believe me, it's a LOT of paperwork. On Tuesday of this week, I receive an email with 9 items and two online trainings that I need to turn in.
WHAT!? I thought I was almost finished! Nope. They need a copy of my college diploma, FBI fingerprints, a fire inspection, a health inspection, reference letters (that were turned in, but somehow lost), two more trainings (both that I've done, one that expires this month and one that they typed the wrong date and so THEY think it expired in January...except I TOOK it in January.
Ok, no matter, I CAN DO THIS! I have a fire inspection scheduled for this coming Tuesday afternoon. (Apparently the city I live in does Fire Inspections. What they do NOT do are health inspections, so the Arrow employee will do that when they arrive. Love being given incorrect information and then facing the consequences of that incorrect information.) I faxed in everything else (I don't work in a job that I need to fax very often. Usually when I do it, I end up pushing a wrong button or something that equally shouts (Um, she doesn't know how to work a simple machine!) but I tell you what, I have become a proficient faxer this week! (I know. You are so proud.)
One of the items I needed to complete is something they call an Autobiography. Um, I'm going to write a book about me? Nope, I'm going to answer a 10 page questionnaire about my childhood, my parents, my parents' marriage, my neighbors and their opinions of my fostering decision, etc. Yep, it was a little over the top, but I think I might be starting to get used to over the top.
My Arrow lady is taking vacation time just before she quits, so she's out of the office until tomorrow. I THINK all the needed paperwork is turned in. I will have to take one class over again. It's on November 29. But I THINK everything else is complete. Here's hoping when she returns to work tomorrow, she agrees with me!
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