Foster Parents FAQ » Becoming a Foster Parent » difference between private and public agencies

difference between private and public agencies

Question:

Hi, I have only worked with State Agencies, so I can only relate that experience.    I *believe* that private agencies hold contracts with the state to certify home and place kids…..kind of like the new *private* prisions….same criminals, but the private sector is able to build their own prison and run them their way.   Sorry for the analogy, but the best I could come up with!! Erin

Response:

We started out with the state DFC, then after a few years changed to a private non-profit agency called The Villages (used to be "of Indiana", but now they’re in neighboring states as well).  Some of the differences are:         -better support.  Our case workers have been more available and able         to do more for us and with us.  Overall, there’s a better atmosphere,         more of a feeling of being part of a team rather than a cog in the         system.         -higher requirements.  More training hours, more paperwork.         -higher per diem payments. And no, it’s not taxable income         (not sure about private for-profit agencies, though).         -more difficult cases.  Usually, the kids we get are those that         the public system has given up on or can’t handle for some reason.         -loger term placements, often until adoption or, with teens, until         emancipation.         -better outcomes.  I don’t have statistics in front of me, but         for instance, a few years ago I noted that the H.S. graduation         rate was higher for Villages kids than for the general population. Your local options will likely be different, of course.

Response:

We also work with a private agency and with the state agency at the same time. I agree, the support is alot better with the private agency, the kids are tougher but well worth it. Sherrie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Caleb Hess wrote: > We started out with the state DFC, then after a few years changed to > a private non-profit agency called The Villages (used to be "of Indiana", > but now they’re in neighboring states as well).  Some of the differences > are: >         -better support.  Our case workers have been more available and able >         to do more for us and with us.  Overall, there’s a better atmosphere, >         more of a feeling of being part of a team rather than a cog in the >         system. >         -higher requirements.  More training hours, more paperwork. >         -higher per diem payments. And no, it’s not taxable income >         (not sure about private for-profit agencies, though). >         -more difficult cases.  Usually, the kids we get are those that >         the public system has given up on or can’t handle for some reason. >         -loger term placements, often until adoption or, with teens, until >         emancipation. >         -better outcomes.  I don’t have statistics in front of me, but >         for instance, a few years ago I noted that the H.S. graduation >         rate was higher for Villages kids than for the general population. > Your local options will likely be different, of course.

Response:

>Hi! I have been lurking off and on for the past couple of months. I am very >interested in becoming a foster parent. I do understand that I can choose the >age of child I want. I have a 4 year old son and I would like for him to keep >his birth order. But what is the difference between a public agency  and >private agency? I do live in a large city in Texas if that helps any. Any info >will help greatly.

I’m a foster parent for the state BUT for my adoptive homestudy (in process) the state would take 8-9 months or longer whereas a private agency can get it done in 2 maybe 3 months. Needless to say, I went with the private agency.

Response:

Hi! I have been lurking off and on for the past couple of months. I am very interested in becoming a foster parent. I do understand that I can choose the age of child I want. I have a 4 year old son and I would like for him to keep his birth order. But what is the difference between a public agency  and private agency? I do live in a large city in Texas if that helps any. Any info will help greatly. Thanks! Kassy :)

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