Accepted a Foster Placement! Yay!

We got a call from our social worker the other day about a placement.  17 year old girl with her 3 month old baby boy.  She turns 18 and graduates highschool next month. They just need a place for them to stay until they are able to get them into an independent living facility.  They think, at most, 6 months. 

I learned something interesting about the foster system the other day.  I had always thought when you turned 18, you're on your own and are dropped into the real world.  Well, foster kids can chose to 'recommit'.  I'm told if they decide to stay in school, go for some type of secondary education, the state will keep them in the system and pay for everything.  They will get their tuition and everything paid, just as before they were 18. 

Why would kids NOT do this? It's totally awesome. Most kids really aren't ready to be let loose in the real world at 18 and foster kids are even less ready. 

So, this girl supposedly plans to recommit when she's 18 and go back to school.  My husband and I will provide them a place to stay and provide mentoring to help get her ready for the real world. 

We're a little nervous. Ok, we're alot nervous.  She's been in the system for many years.  Thankfully she has no criminal record or any major issues.  The social worker will bring her and the baby to us on Monday.  We will all sit down and work out a "contract" of expectations.  We want to lay it on the table up front, what we expect from her and what she can expect from us. 

This isn't really the type of placement we initially agreed to do. But we're just sitting here, with the extra space and ability - why not do something while we wait?

I hope this works, because we totally love the idea of giving kids support and helping them be independent and make it on their own.  They've had such a crappy life and if we can make a small difference, then we are happy with that!