I wasn't sure if I should continue to update on our journey because it is a path I haven't really read much about on Hellobee. But, I am so very excited about the evolution of our family, I couldn't resist! DH and I have applied for an interview with our county to move forward with becoming an adopting family. We had some concerns about having pets in our home and the health status of each of us. Fortunately, our concerns are unfounded in the eyes of the agency. Our next step is to become licensed foster parents with a focus on adoption only. To obtain our license, we are required to attend 27 hours of parenting classes, become CPR certified, participate in a homestudy and submit to a thorough background check. The process takes between three to six months to complete. With a little luck, we will be called for an interview in the next few weeks. :0)
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Yes, please continue to update. I love hearing how these processes work in different places. Also, I bet these would be great blog posts
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@Costello: We can try out a Fostering message board! Just made it and put this thread in there:
http://boards.hellobee.com/board/fosteringExcited to read more about your journey!
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Good luck with the process! Definitely an interesting point of view, and one I bet lots of people would be looking for if they are interested in fostering/adopting.
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@Costello: congrats and good luck! I hope you continue to post!
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Congrats on making the first steps! Good luck in your journey, I would love to read updates!
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I love the updates on your process! Congratulations on the progression of your journey.
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Congrats on starting your journey! I think there are lots of us here that would be interested to hear updates!
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My friend's sister did this, and last summer completed the adoption of their two young girls. I think it's such a wonderful thing - best of luck to you!
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So exciting!!! I'd love to read more about your journey as it continues!
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Thank you all for the encouragement! I appreciate it. I am thrilled a fostering board has been added. I know there are others who are exploring this option and I hope to hear more about their journeys as well.
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Congratulations! I am a social worker, so I have seen lots of adoption through foster care and I am a huge fan. Personally I have a few friends who have adopted through foster care... I have loved watching their families grow
So awesome! Keep us posted!
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@Costello: I would love to follow your journey as well. This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I have 4 cousins who were adopted out of the system and friends have 2 boys.
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Good luck in your next steps. I'm super excited to read about your journey and I hope you'll keep us updated!
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I am really interested to read about your journey! Thanks for giving us updates
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So exciting!
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I'm super interested! We'd like to pursue this in the future.
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@Costello: this is so exciting! You know that I'm always interested to hear what you are up to, especially because it is so different to what most folks are doing. May your MAPP training go smoothly and quickly!
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Thank you for sharing! Please continue to update!
I would love to go this rout for our next LO but FI isn't on board. I'm very interested in others experiences. -
Yay, congrats. A good friend of mine and her partner are trying to foster/adopt. They just got a 2 week old boy placed with them. I also have a patient whose adoption will be finalized next week. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
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Very exciting! Adopting from foster care is something that definitely interests me, so I'd like to learn from you.
Since your focus is adoption only, as you put it, does that mean they will not place any children with you that have the chance to reunify with their birth parents? Isn't the goal of the foster care system always reunification? I ask because I imagine that has to be difficult - to work toward reunification as a foster parent, while hoping so much to adopt as well!
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@Daniellemybelle: The number one goal for our county is to find the best permanent home for the children in their custody. Biological families are always considered to be the best permanent homes if safety barriers are removed. There are three types of families licensed in our county. Foster parents have children placed with them who are still working towards reunification with the birth family and most likely will be able to return to their biological families. Flex families intend to adopt but are willing to act as foster parents for children who are still eligible for reunification. These children were formally classified as "legal risk" because the birth parents' rights are still intact but they are struggling with complying with the reunification plan in place. Flex families agree to work towards the goal of reunification but are often able to adopt their foster children if the birth parents fail to meet their goals. Birth parents in this state typically have a year to show progress working towards their goals for reunification before the court terminates their parental rights. The third type of family is foster to adopt. Birth parents' of the children placed in these homes have already had their rights terminated. The licensing process for all three types of families are exactly the same. I can't imagine the strength flex families possess. They amaze me.
Thanks again for everyone's kind words. :0)
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@Costello: Thanks for that explanation. That's fascinating! So why the need to foster to adopt then, rather than just adopting? Is there a chance others may be identified to adopt instead of the foster parents, such as a grandparent?
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That's cool! Please do update, as I'm always curious as to what the foster process all entails. I really appreciate you sharing!
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@Daniellemybelle: the county investigates relatives and family friends for placement as part of the reunification plan. If there are available biological family members, the children are not open for adoption by foster families. Our state requires a minimum of six months transitional time before the court will consider an application for adoption. During that time, legally the children are under the protection of the state but reside in the adopting home and are considered in foster care.
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I am eager to learn more of your journey & experiences! Best wishes as you begin!
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@Costello: Thanks for those details! That makes a lot of sense. Are there a lot of children that fall into this "category"? How long do you think your wait will be?
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@Daniellemybelle: You are welcome! I wouldn't say there are a lot of children available for adoption right now. However, we were told they do not publish information on all of the children in need of permanent homes. Our wait will depend on the preferences we have for the child or children we are willing to adopt. This is an area that will be covered during our initial interview and we can modify throughout the process as we become more educated and aware of common issues related to the trauma these kids experience. While this is my own perspective and not representative of everyone, this is not something I feel we can rush in to. DH and I are ready to be parents and to expand our little family. But, we are very aware of the need to find the right fit for all involved. Understanding our strengths and weaknesses and the impact they will have on any children we are fortunate to parent is something that takes effort and time for us. Of course, with that said, every little step towards having our child finally home is being celebrated! :0)
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