Forum Archive Homepage | Previous Post | Next Post

new houseparents

texans Mar 24 2006, 10:34 PM Post #1

My husband and I feel this is God's calling - to become houseparents. We will be taking 2 of our own children. Any advice? How do you know which facility is right? How do you know that the administrator won't turn out to be Dr. Jekyl? How did your own kids handle having to share you with others? What is the worst part of this?

sandylegsntoes Mar 25 2006, 11:57 AM Post #2

Hi again! You ask, 'how do you know?' You wrote that you believe it is a calling from God.

Well, then this is how you know: use the gift of discernment. If you pray and Wait On The Lord for an answer rather than moving out in the flesh then you will be operating in the Will and Power of God.

The Bible promises, "To whom God calls, He will equip." Discernment is a gift taught in the Word. No Christian must walk the walk of faith without it. That's how you will know!

Ask question, questions, questions.

texans Mar 25 2006, 12:35 PM Post #3

Thanks for answering. I have so many questions, doubts, yet still feel once I get the answers (which I know God will provide) this is my calling. How long should I expect it o take from application process to actually moving? Some agencies seem to want yo to come today, others want several months of training. Is there any red flags you can give me that I should stay away from?

webmaster Mar 25 2006, 10:57 PM Post #4

If a facility wants you there today or YESTERDAY and don't provide some training before you start working with the kids, that just might be a RED Flag

Some of your other concerns: In the same way that houseparents can interview well and turn out to be horrible. Administrators can interview well and turn out to be horrible. Sometimes you just never know. However, you can get some pretty good clues about a facility. A well organized and structured interview usually means a fairly well organized facility. If everything seems chaotic during the application process and while you are there interviewing you just might be seeing normality at that facility.

Little or no training - BIG RED FLAG!!!!!

Poorly maintained and disorganized facilities - BIG RED FLAG!!

If you are not given the opportunity to visit with several staff members or are being kept away from many of the staff - RED FLAG - it usually means people are not happy.

If you visit a facility where you will be living on premises you want to be able to stay for at least 2 days (longer if possible) and observe the lifestyle, staff interactions with each other and the children, children interactions with the staff and other children. This will tell you more about a facility than anything. If you are shuffled in and out in an afternoon, either they are not very interested in you or - Red Flag. (This does not apply to shift work facilities, because your hours and working conditions are similar to "Normal" Jobs and the interview process would also be similar.)

With background checks, reference letters, personality testing, interviews and all the other requirements to meet before you can usually start working with kids, it will usually take at least a month before you could start working at a facility and two or three would not be unreasonable.

Lady Incredible Mar 26 2006, 07:49 AM Post #5

Webmaster pretty much summed it up.
I definately agree that you should be able to observe awhile, either before or after your interview
 

Forum Archive Homepage | Previous Post | Next Post