Adoption updates

I know I said I'd be writing more frequently about this whole process, but I feel like I've been so busy this summer, blogging has fell by the way side. Of course, I'll be saying the same thing when school starts up . . .



In mid June we met with Carol, the adoption lady at Catholic Community Services. Heard about the different programs they offer. We could adopt a Korean baby for $25, 000. Or hold our breath with a private state-side adoption for about $20,000.



ORRR, we could go with the program we thought we'd be going with any ways. The Foster-to-Adopt program, for about $1000. It feels weird to be making our decision so much on money, but we certainly don't have the funds for the multi-thousand dollar options.

Carol gave us a big packet of paperwork to fill out. She'll be helping coordinate the adoption side of this process. But in the meantime, she referred us to Jess who will be working with us on the foster care part of the foster-to-adopt process.

We met with Jess about a week later (so make this late June). She was very helpful in explaining the process we would be going through. Another BIG packet of paper work. This time to become a licensed foster care home. In addition to the paper work, we need to be free of TB, up to date on our 1st aid/ CPR, take 27 hours of training, pass a criminal background check, get fingerprinted, make sure the cats' vaccinations are up to date, figure out how to lock up all the medications in the house (not just out of reach - LOCKED UP), and a small check list of other small things.

Jess explained that once we were licensed (which I anticipate being officially licensed some time in October), a child could be place in our care at about any time. We are looking for a kid who is legally free, or near to it. Being legally free means that the birth parents' rights have been terminated and the child is able to be adopted. Jess is sort of our yenta (can you have a yenta in a Catholic organization?), as she will be our conduit to the state and the children in the state system who are eligible for adoption. Her goal (and ours!) is to find the best match for the given child and our family.

I will say that one of the scariest unknowns in the process is that you just don't know that much about the child before they come into your home. And while there is at least a 6 month period between placement and when the adoption could become finalized, no one really wants to do 'take backs'. Hard for everyone involved. But we have great faith in Jess (have a really good feeling about her). And in someways, it is like having a child join your family at birth. You still don't know what you are going to get until the kid comes out of the womb. It's just that this child will likely be a little bit older. (up to 5 years old, in our case.)

Some of the 'highlights' of our paperwork: yes, I will feed the child; yes, I will dress the child appropriately; no, I will not abuse the child.

Highlights of our 27 hour training? The 673 page book of 'useful' information. The woman who had ridiculous questions/ anecdotes. Yep. That's abou it. I'm pretty sure I've blocked out the rest of the worst of it.

Oh, I really should have done a few smaller blogs along the way on this topic. But this highlights the last couple of months. Feel free to ask questions. No secrets to be had here!