Satisfaction Survey of Agency Services

Bethany Christian Services
Locations: Grand Rapids, Madison Heights, Lansing, Kalamazoo

Updated: September 1, 2009

All survey data is anonymous. Some questions may allow multiple answers.

TOTAL NUMBER OF SURVEYS :  13

Family Race: 
0
   Black / African-American
12
   White / Caucasian
0
   Native American / American Indian
0
   Hispanic / Latino / Latina
0
   Asian American / Pacific Islander
0
   Chaldean / Arab-American
0
   Other
1
   No Answer
     
Marital Status:
1
   Single
12
   Married
0
   Divorced
0
   Live-Together Partner
0
   No Answer
     
Age:
0
   18 - 24
2
   25 - 34
7
   35 - 44
1
   45 - 54
2
   55+
1
   No Answer
     
Gender:
3
   Male
8
   Female
2
   No Answer
     
How many agencies have you had contact with?
11
   One
1
   Two
1
   Three
0
   Four
0
  

Five
0
   Six or more
0
   No Answer
     
What type of information were you seeking?
13
   Adoption
6
   Foster Care
4
   Foster-to-adopt
0
   Kinship
0
   Guardianship
0
   Step-parent adoption
1
   Training opportunities
1
   Orientation
1
   General information
0
   Other
     
Did this agency work with you in a prompt, courteous and professional manner?
11
   Yes
2
   No
0
   No Answer

Comments:

  • Yes, they we're courteous, and professional, they we're NOT prompt.
  • The worker is a representative of the agency. The is very little feed back. Emails are not answered in a very timely manner. No encouragement.
Was the information you received thorough and complete?
8
   Yes
5
   No
0
   No Answer

Comments:

  • Honest and correct information about a child's emotional issues.
  • The information I received was complete, BUT, it wasn't ALL the information I needed.
  • was kind of left in the dark on how the whole process works. Had to seek out what to do next after training.
  • explantion of what next was unclear
  • was a little confusing,after completing first set of classes was not aware of part 2.
  • Very dissapointed in the training, it was mostly geared towards foster care and very little to do with adoption. When questions were asked that were related to adoption they didn't typically have an answer for it. I have heard so much conflicting information between workers at Bethany. As well as what other adoptive families have been told has differed greatly from information we have been told. Not much consistency.
Were you satisfied with the services the agency provided to you?
8
   Yes
5
   No
0
   No Answer

Comments:

  • We terminated an adoption in 2008 due to a violent child. This child is now listed on MARE's website with VERY understated issues! If this is not changed this child will end up in another family's home and possibly physically harm another child and/or adult.
  • Primarily the amount of time it took to do the tasks put before them, you obviously need additional staff, or more organized staff members.
  • No encouragement. More direction.
  • This process takes so long for anyone to get anything done or get back to you with any information. The Michigan DHS has been even worse. It is no wonder that there are so many kids waiting for families because you make it way WAY too difficult by all of the silly little rules standing in the way.
  • After taking the PRIDE class, we were told we would be contacted within a few weeks regarding our application for adoption. We never heard anything back until we finally contacted the agency 8 weeks later. It then took an additional two months to get approved. Afterward, we started inquiring on children and often didn't hear from our worker for weeks at a time. We then had difficulties getting accurate and truthful information from the other agencies regarding children. After several attempts, we felt it was too emotionally difficult to go through this process. We talked with our worker and were just told that the system is messed up and there's nothing we can do about it. We were very, very discouraged. After a few weeks, we inquired on another child and didn't hear anything again for a month. Our worker keeps telling us she calls on these inquiries and never hears back from the other workers. Unfortunately, we don't know who to believe or trust anymore.
Do you feel any of the following were barriers to your ability to become a foster or adoptive parent?
5
   Lack of response from the agency
2
   Fees associated with agency services too expensive
3
   Unable to get foster care license or Family Assessment complete in a timely manner (i.e., less than six months)
4
   No Answer / no barriers
     
Where are you in the adoption / foster care process?
6
   Approved (Home study complete)
1
   Licensed Foster Family (Foster Care license complete)
3
   In-Process (Have agency / Home study not complete)
0
   Not yet working with an agency
3
   No Answer
     
Please tell us about the child or children you want to foster and/or adopt:
0
   Infant Adoption
1
   International Adoption
9
   Special Needs Adoption / Adoption from Foster Care
2
   Foster Care
2
   No Answer
   
5
   Younger than 6 years
7
   6 - 10 years
5
   11 - 13 years
4
   14 or older
2
   No Answer
     
0
   Black / African-American
5
   White / Caucasian
0
   Native American / American Indian
3
   Hispanic / Latino / Latina
1
   Asian American / Pacific Islander
0
   Chaldean / Arab-American
1
   Other
5
   Any Race / Doesn't Matter
3
   No Answer
     
7
   Having emotional / behavioral issues
4
   Having physical impairments
7
   Having developmental delays
7
   Having learning impairments
6
   No Answer
     
3
   Single child
1
   Sibling group
6
   Doesn't matter
3
   No Answer

Additional comments:

  • I have a comment regarding he new law lowering he # of children in the home. I've been licensed since 1997, adopted 11 children, some with some very special needs, and I feel that I have a lot to offer children that are without a family because of this issue. is there not a waiver in certain circmstances. I have 7 at home now, 2 of which are 17, my youngest is 12, all of these are adopted and have been in my home for 3 years +, & because I have to count my older children, I'm not able to help other children. I contacted the worker regarding {name withheld} that is on the MARE website and there was some interest from the case worker in my home, but I received a placement of 2 little boys that were a predoptive placement, but a conflict between Bethany Christian & DHS (communication) and the boys were removed in December 08. I would hope with the need of good foster homes, adoptive parents, that a waiver should be reviewed.I would appreciate a answer to my comment.
  • Just that things don't move along liek they should, I believe the agency has lost sight of their mission statement sometimes.
  • I called several agencies to find out about PRIDE training and everyone was nice but unable to help as far as availability.  Everyone offers the training to their families first & I understand that, we were looking for training a little closer to home.  It's ok because we don't mind traveling to Grand Rapids, we did get to meet {name withheld}, she was an absolute joy.  She was very knowledgeable & seemed wise beyond her years.  {name withheld} seems very passionate about her work and has a heart to place children in good homes.  My husband & I look forward to working with her.
  • We were wondering how to get on a list where workers can look at you and match you with a child/children waiting.
  • The training was good and very helpful.  We seamed to be left hanging after the training. After the pride training was not informed that we needed to take other training. I felt if we would have not asked someone would have not known we had to take other training. We also never filled out a form until the last class and if we would not have asked what to do next we would have had no idea what to do next.  I understand they are very over worked and have only so many hours in a day. I just feel maybe they are taking on more parents then they can handle at one time? I hope this dose not get anyone in trouble, I just thought since you asked I would tell.  If you would like to call or email me for more info that is ok.
  • We really need to talk with someone. I don't know what to think anymore. We are told there is a need for families, but the system doesn't seem conducive to placing children with families who simply wish to adopt. We keep hearing from people that the easiest way to adopt is through foster care. Unfortunatley, we don't think it's right to place children with families who just want to adopt before any permancy plans are made.
  • I would like to make a complaint against DHS and how they handle adoptions through the MARE program. We have experienced one long battle with trying to get anything accomplished in our adoption processes. Both the failed adoption and the one we are currently persuing. We can't even take the child out for lunch or even bring her a picnic lunch to her placement. No one will even consider moving her court hearing up so we can finally meet her attorney and her referee. What a cold heartless system this is and I wish I could just change my mind about the whole thing but there is a childs life on the line and we can't turn our back on her. If you have any information about how I could make this complaint and speak with someone that will care and will listen I would appreciate you relaying that information to me.