Who's adopted thru Social Services? Need advise...
DH and I are discussing adopting again. We have a beautiful 2 year old daughter that we adopted domestically (California). We had a great adoption experience and for our first child, it was important for us to adopt a newborn. We were lucky to bring her home from the hospital. We would like to adopt another child, preferrably a boy between the ages of 2-6 and are considering adopting through the Department of Social Services. I have looked at numerous pictures of children waiting to be adopted on the AdoptUSKids website and have fallen in love with several children. I even printed the picture of a sibling group of six ranging in ages from 2 - 13. DH nearly fainted when I showed him! LOL. He thought I fell off my rocker to think we could take on 6 children all at once. I wish I could, but I know that it's not possible at this time.
I would advise from anyone who has adopted this way. I really don't know where to start. I have reviewed the web site but am still confused on how to begin. And also, the costs involved. How long does it take before they will let us bring home our child? I really can't wait to get started and would welcome any and all advise. Thanks!!!
I have not adopted, but am a foster parent....so I have some information on this:
The cost at leas tin Ohio is 2,000-3,000 which can be reimbursed
The time frame can be almost immediate if the child is avaiable and you have a homestudy.
Also, please look up information on adoption subsidy. Adoption sof hard to place chilren (over age 6, born drug exposed, any medical issues) can often come with a monthly stipend and or medical card for the child. All you have to do is ask. Our state will also reimburse attorney fees for a state adoption, if its a hard to place child.
Good luck!
Julie
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Originally posted by littlestar2424 Also, please look up information on adoption subsidy. Adoption sof hard to place chilren (over age 6, born drug exposed, any medical issues) can often come with a monthly stipend and or medical card for the child.
The definition for "hard to place" or "special needs" is pretty broad and depends on the agency, social worker, etc. We just had a friend adopt a healthy infant, 4 weeks old, from the County and they are receiving a stipend -- for what, I'm not sure, other than the fact that they adopted through the system.
Good luck,
Karen
__________________ Karen (34) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
~Dx PCOS 1995
~Wife to Steve (2000)
~Mom to beautiful son, Allen,
born in December 2002
(thru independent adoption)
I contacted the DSS and spoke to a very nice lady named Maggie (for anyone in Orange County the phone# is 714/704-8704).
She informed me that there is $0.00 charge for the entire process. This includes the finger printing, and the homestudy. I find this a bit hard to believe, but I just spoke to DH and he is very interested in signing up for the orientation. Maggie informed me that we will have to attend 9 classes and some of the criteria they look at include finances (income must be such that you can support the family), all adults living in the home and direct care givers must be CPR certified, child must have their own bedroom (can't have a one bedroom home and have the child sleep in the same room with mom and dad; but siblings can share a room). We were told that we do not have to obtain a lawyer or angency to help us. That the social workers willl help us thru the process. I'm very optimistic! The only dissappointment is that Orange County does not offer interstate adoptions. So the beautiful children we wanted more information on is not possible.
I can't wait to go through the process and bring home a new brother for Jessi! Wish us luck! Any new information anyone can add, please post. Thanks!
Last week our adoption of our little Joshua was finalized. He is 9 months old and we got him on day one. I would love to talk to you and give you my experience but I dont have much time right now. Please email me and I would love to tell you about our experience.
__________________ Married to dh Brian 4-17-93
DS-Joshua Adopted : 6-19-03
Foster parents to 20 diffrent kiddos
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"TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; AND LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS." PROVERBS 3: 5-6
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I forgot to mention there is a website you can look up to see children that are available thru your state or others. It is northwest adoption exchange for us. Click on if you have a completed homestudy and then click to see the kids. Just a warning your wish list may become HUGE!
__________________ Married to dh Brian 4-17-93
DS-Joshua Adopted : 6-19-03
Foster parents to 20 diffrent kiddos
3 Precious Angel Babies To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; AND LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS." PROVERBS 3: 5-6
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Your county doesn't do interstate adoptions? That seems odd. Maybe you could get a private agency just to negotiate the interstate placement part? If you aer truly interested in that sibling group, it would be a shame to not get them based on a technicality.
Who's adopted thru Social Services? Need advise... 
Maggie informed me that we will have to attend 9 classes and some of the criteria they look at include finances (income must be such that you can support the family), all adults living in the home and direct care givers must be CPR certified, child must have their own bedroom (can't have a one bedroom home and have the child sleep in the same room with mom and dad; but siblings can share a room). We were told that we do not have to obtain a lawyer or angency to help us. That the social workers willl help us thru the process. I'm very optimistic! The only dissappointment is that Orange County does not offer interstate adoptions. So the beautiful children we wanted more information on is not possible. 
Would love to talk with ya 
