Girls, I am SO sorry I got unsubscribed from this thread probably by checking it on my phone and not realizing what I clicked on!
I can start by letting you know the different jobs I hold, and we can go from there. Adoption is a big decision and it works to do a bit of preparation in the beginning to decide what path you would like to take :thumb up:
First and utmost I work with Child protection (the foster care system). In this system you would be looking to foster with the hope of a long term goal of adoption. In CPS we are always concurrently planning, meaning, we are working to reunify the children with their biological parents, however, this does not always happen so our second planning is looking for a forever home for the child. In some cases children can be returned home and then back into the foster home as CPS also deals with the Court system and they have a say in where the children go.
Foster care adoption can be a wonderful option. Depending on your State the children will receive subsidy (in my State about 98% of our children are adopted with subsidy). This is a cash stipend monthly, and Mediciad for the child. This can be helpful to assist with day care or to save for the child for when they are college age. This can also be VERY trying on the heart....once a child is in your home you honestly have no control...courts, case workers and whether the birth parents actually do what they need to can impact whether the adoption occurs. I have seen so many rewarding adoptions though that I honestly find these the most rewarding!!
Also, in foster care, many States have Safe Haven Law. These infants are processed through the Child Welfare System.
Then there is private adoption. This is the type of adoption where you work with a private agency, pay to have a home study completed and then you go on to have your agency profile you to expectant mothers opting to provide adoption as a plan for their child. This can be costly, however, you will be able to feel like you have some control over your process. BUT, just remember, even these adoptions some times don't go through as birth mother/father can change their mind, and this is quite a commitment money wise to think about as well!
There is also international adoption, done through a private agency. Honestly this has not been as busy at my private agency ( I do home studies for a private agency, part time). We have seen many countries restricting US adoptions...there is a lot of history behind that. What I can say is every country has different regulations, some age, some as far as weight and couples orientation. This can be costly and the wait can be a very long time as well...even more so then the other two options.
Thank you We compared the cost etc and we are pursuing adoption through the foster bare system. I'm currently n Florida we take the classes in June. I'd just like more information
Foster care is a great way to grow your family! Have you thought about the fostering piece?
Baiscally with my families I go over legal statuses and where there comfort level is, as a couple. We have children that are legally free, these children are either surrendered by the birth parents, or we have terminated their rights. They are no legal risk,
We then have children that are fost-adopt, meaning they are in the system and we are currently working with the parents for reunification with a concurrent plan of adoption, if needed. That would be a high risk situation. Then you have a situation where we have identified that we are going to trial, going for termination of rights and the DAG feels we have a good case (meaning we have provided all services and parents are still unable to provide a safe, stable home) and that would be considered a less legal risk, low risk.
I always caution, the more legal risk the MORE chances you will be matched with a child. This allows for more opportunity. If you know that a child may be matched and may be removed and this is something you would not be able to handle emotionally then you will want to go into it honestly saying that is not something you can handle.
I often tell my families start with vacation placements, meaning, foster a child while their usual resource home needs the temporary placement. See how it feels to connect to a child that will be removed in the near future...to get your feet wet and oriented with the system.