Question for those adopting from TX CPS

share3232 · 07-09-2008, 12:43 AM

We have been to our info meeting and completed all our background check paperwork and we have heard nothing from CPS. It has been 4 1/2 weeks since we sent the paperwork in. How long does it normally take for someone to get back to you? We call the CPS office twice a week and leave messages. We have NEVER spoke to an actual human in the office. We just don't know what to do or where to go from here. Any thoughts, advice, anything?

ProudPCOMom · 07-09-2008, 01:01 AM

Did you choose to work directly with CPS or were you planning to work with one of the agencies that work with CPS? If you are going to be working with an agency, you contact them directly where you will do more paperwork, they do the homestudy and you take your classes with them.

We have been working with an agency that is the middle-man with CPS (although we have had lots of direct contact with the CPS workers for our children).

Susan

share3232 · 07-09-2008, 11:24 AM

We chose to work directly with CPS. Will completed a form stating that and we state that decision each time we call. I know that these employees are busy and have lots going, but I would like to talk to a real person at least once. Do you think we should try an agency? What have been your pros and cons? We really thought that cutting out a middle man would be saving time and money. I'm beginning to think that was a mistake.

Queen_Pug · 07-09-2008, 12:03 PM

Yes I have heard that TX CPS drags their feet and are tending to push placements towards private agencies now gradually for the future when that will be the only way to go. Private agencies deff have more contact with you and keep you up to date on everything. They are not super fast but you will get a person on the phone 90% of the time. You will be paying the same price as going thru cps. Private agencies usually dont charge you an agency fee. if your just in the process of starting I would look around at your local agencies and choose one of them, OR just keep calling CPS and demand to speak with someone that can forward your application to one of them.

share3232 · 07-09-2008, 03:34 PM

Thanks for the advice ladies!!

I did call again this morning and spoke with a real, live, human. I almost fell out of my chair! The lady I talked to said the worker on our case had been out sick for a while. The lady said she would pull our paperwork and call us back in a couple of days. Things just might start moving (probably slow, but moving nonetheless).

Thanks again!

Seashell Elle · 07-14-2008, 12:47 AM

I live in TN but have adopted from TX twice. Our first child we adopted via a private agency in San Antonio. 11 months later we got a call saying our daughter had a half sister in foster care and she was available for adoption. It took me hiring an attorney in TX to run the ropes for me, but we finally got our second child home (after her being eligible for adoption for 8 months).

Private adoption is much much more expensive than going thru CPS. The private agencies also do not drag their feet like the overworked understaffed CPS. There are pros and cons to both.

If you want to message me I can share more with you about our experiences, etc.

Oomis · 07-23-2008, 02:10 PM

Have you heard back from anyone?

We live in TX and are adopting our foster children. We are working directly with an agency. I would definately recommend that becasue they can help get your training hours, get your paperwork and files squared away, check broadcasts daily to match your family with children, etc, etc. I have friends that worked directly with CPS and it was a nightmare.

Now that we have our children we talk to the kids original CPS caseworker all the time. Since they came from another region there is yet another local CPS caseworker that comes to the house monthly as well as our agency caseworker. They come on the same day. I have heard this is very unusual for a CPS caseworker to even show up but I think since the kids are from another region they do this.

Good luck!

ProudPCOMom · 07-24-2008, 12:52 PM

Our CPS caseworkers always came out every month (one still does). We work with an agency, but the CPS workers we have had have been great!

For our current foster child, we have visits from our agency case manager, CPS worker and CASA - every month. We would get occasional calls from the GAL as well. Same for our adopted son when he was a foster child - except no CASA.

It's best to have a good relationship with the CPS worker, that way they keep you better informed. We've been fortunate to have workers who have kept us informed on the cases and how (in their experience) they felt the cases were progressing.

Susan

share3232 · 07-25-2008, 12:45 PM

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, we've been on vacation. Anyway, on 14th we got the call to set up our training. We chose to go every Tuesday night between 6:30 to 9:30 starting Sept. 9th thru Nov. 11th. We are very excited and our case worker was very helpful. Thanks for the advice ladies.