AdoptUsKids encourages children's caseworkers to respond promptly to inquiries. Each state sets their own policy for the time and procedure for contacting families. Some workers manage their cases on a daily basis and are very prompt in responding to inquiries from prospective parents. Some caseworkers may only respond to families they feel are appropriate for a specific child because of the large number of inquiries that they receive. If you do not get a response to your inquiry it may be that the child has been placed and the worker has not updated the status. Most caseworkers prefer that you send your homestudy only if they request it. Some will not acknowledge the receipt of the homestudy unless, after reviewing your homestudy, you are actually being considered as a family for the child. If you do not hear from the caseworker in roughly a week after they would have received it, it is reasonable to contact them by phone or email.
What are some effective ways you have used to contact and stay in touch with a caseworker?
If you are having difficulty reaching a caseworker and would like assistance, please go to this Request to be Contacted Link and complete the form.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
contacting the child's caseworker
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15 comments:
Thank you for first starting this blog! and secondly, making an inquiry about a certain child can be frusterating! It is extremly important to have your homestudy complete before inquiring!I can not stress that enough!
We have been inquiring for over a year and half. We have been contacted as possible matches but nothing has been final. We can't wait but, we are in no hurry for any placements that don't exceed everyones needs involved. Adoption is a unique journey, it's as unique as the family it creates.
I do want to say that Texas, Nevada and recently Arkansas has been TOPs on customer service skills with getting in touch with me and responding via email! It's not that I have distaste for the others but, They have been Excellent in communication, very personal without giving it away, very respectful to the children's privacy - if you know what I mean!
I also want to add that it's very important for those interested in adoption, to not to get to attached in the process.... it is hard but be patient! Thanks!
It's very wise that you are making informed decisions regarding your family. Only YOU can make these final decisions about what is best for YOUR family. If you are able, continue to inquire about children without becoming overly attached to any one child - until you are chosen for the child,you read all the info, and you all agree that the placement will go forward - you need to be careful and patient!
You are right! It's very hard not to become attached to a child. Many describe the process as similar to "falling in love" when they saw their future son/daughter for the first time. What has helped you to remain patient and positive?
Excellent question... What keeps us positive and remain patient?
At times it is hard very hard, when many foster parents around us in our community end up adopting - when that was never the plan for them. Unlike them we play for keeps - we would rather be involved when all avenues for reunification are exausted.
We are a postive family in general. We are so busy with our our biological children that we realize that they are our "reality" for now. Many new "waiting" adoptive parents are often lead (as we have been) that adopting through the system is easy and costs less money.
So, far it has been extremely difficult to work with the "system" although we have met some people in the system that do really want do what ever it takes to get children adopted.
Find these people and cherish them!
Try real hard to not get emotionally involved with the process or attached to children you may only know from a photo and 3 paragraphs.... Deal with the facts regarding your families likes/dislikes , parenting stregnths and needs. Do not bargain just because of a pretty face... know your limits- be flexible but, always trust your gut instinct.
I would advise those who want to adopt to treat it like a job application, do what it takes to get properly educated for the job, don't fall in love with the first job- it may not always be the "one", interview often- it builds experience when talking about your parenting skills, assist/intern in the field ( consider providing respite services locally to build exp), attend group meetings and network with others in similar situations, volunteer your services to those who support your cause- become an adoption advocate in your area- we have.
Particpate in open discussion like this BLOG!
That's how I remain postivily focused and patient.
Although - I will admit this week has had some large disapointments with our (Public)agency.
On the up swing I went to the top of the system and found some helpful, kind adoption advocates that are currently helping to find solutions rather then brush us off because the others lack the knowledge and time.... a commom "attitude" with local DSS agencies... IF you are not their "customers" of foster care, too often it is becoming common place for the local agencies to think of adoptive families as "enigmas" - it's a shame for the hopeful adoptive family to be shuffled around, delayed, or eventually delegated to a pricey adoption agency
(although they may not want an infant nor do they want to spend lots of $$$) State/Public Agencies have the duty to provide you with services - Many just conviently decide they are unable to service families who just want to adopt... Choose you agency the same way you chose any other person to represent you- a real estate agent or attorney, it's almost as important. They will be your reference check, they know you, they will be looking out for you...A Caseworker that is hopeful and wants to see a successful adoption or has a history/network with past adoptive parents- ICPC experience with some choice states is important.
This was something we somewhat overlooked, we got what we payed for, a public CW that is uneducated with adoption, no ICPC knowledge or interest in learning, and very little feed back, essentialy we have been doing the grunt work and when finally we have been selected to participate in a selection staff committee meeting they ignored the invitation, leaving us... well pretty upset and dissillusioned with the whole process. But - I'm keeping my head up! : )
I suppose another topic for discussion, Kate?....
This has been the hardest part in the adoption process, contacting the caseworker. Many often don't returns calls or keep you inform where you are at on the adoption process.
I suspect that many of the caseworkers are overburden with other work responsibilities that matching a child with an adoptive parent often becomes a low priority to them, and the adoption is placed on the back burner on things to do.
I often debated to myself if I should contact the caseworker's Supervisor to help move things along.
The waiting is always the hardest part. But I have to agree that contacting case workers is difficult. The reason is that most workers want worker to worker contact. They get calls from families all day long. If they took or returned calls from every family that called them, they would never get any work done.
It isnt that they think the placing of children is low on the list of priorities, it is because there is a process to it.
First they collect homestudies from interested families ( the instructions you get after you inquire on adoptuskids). Then they read through them and narrow them down based upon the needs of the children ( most of which are confidential at this point)They narrow the families down to anywhere from 3-5 depending on where they are located. Then they schedule a staffing meeting with an entire team of people involved with the children to include the caseworker, the supervisor, and adoption worker, foster parents and sometimes YOUR caseworker. It is after this staffing that a family is selected.
Also sometimes the contact person is not even the caseworker for the child, it is a recruiter who is a liason or middle man so to speak between the families and their workers and the caseworker for the child. This enables the caseworker to focus on her duties.This is why sometimes they dont know alot about the child or where they are in the process, or if your family is even being considered.
The hard part is never knowing when they are narrowing the studies down, and if you are still in the selection process. Unfortunately, most agencies dont have the manpower to call all of the families NOT selected, to inform them.
The best thing to do is just to KEEP sending out your study, until your worker gets the call that you are being included in a staffing.
If there is a child that you particularly feel 'drawn" to, have your worker call the worker or recruiter. They will have a higher chance of getting a response than you, as the family, will in most cases.
I am in PA, and I love my caseworker and agency. She has Matching Coordinators that make the inquiries and phone calls for children we are interested in. They are in contact with us all the time, and answer our emails within a few hours.
You just have to keep your spirits high and know that you WILL eventually be chosen. If you have not been chosen after a few years(!), I would personally suggest you may be with the wrong agency, and to do some research. Ask around to other people who have adopted. That is how I found my agency, after being with a disappointing one.
And I have 7 children whom I have adopted through this agency... All out of state.
So happy to see this blog! Thank you, Kate. As a potential adoptive parent, this is exactly what I've been looking for.
We have no children, and have initiated the adoption process 10 months ago. I agree that the process has caused me to lose a little of my optimism, though. We are working with an Indian tribe( I'm N.Am.) and the state Human Services Department. We have been asked what we are willing to "pay" an agency for a child so that could be included in our information. Since we too are not interested in fostering because of the risk, I feel we have been pushed towards using a private agency by the public agencies we are working with. Some potential adoptive parents do not want to feel we are "buying" a child. I understand some of the agency fees, but many are outrageous. Everything is finished, yet we are not "approved" yet. It's disheartening, especially when all you hear about is all of the waiting children. Anyway, I'm keeping my head up and my fingers crossed, hoping that one day we will be able to expand our family. Good luck to everyone on the adoptive journey, especially first-timers! Also, thanks to the Gilmore family and others for sharing their stories and advice.
What topics would you like to discuss on this blog? Let me know!
We are currently in the process of inquiring about older children and sending out homestudies. I'm wondering if anyone has tips for keeping young children (toddler) safe during the night when adopting an older child who may have unreported issues of abuse. I think it may be difficult to sleep well when worried about what may happen to the younger children. I've heard about putting alarms on the bedroom doors, but what about when they need to get out to use the bathroom during the night?
Are you already registered with AdoptUsKids.org? Would you like to know the best way to contact a child's case worker? Use our website's tools! Here's how:
The first time that you log on to Adoptuskids.org, you will be asked to accept the terms and conditions of using the site. After clicking the "Accept" button, you will be asked to select a security question. Then, you will be taken to "My Page."
Then:
1. Select the left-hand-side link “Search by Name/State/Case #.” Enter the child's case number for any child whom you have seen on AdoptUsKids.org. You will do this for one sibling group or child at a time. Select "search."
2. When the child’s information is displayed, you should see an “Add to My List” button at the top of the child’s information. Click on this button to add the child to your list.
3. On the information that appears now, you will see a notes section and a “Make an Inquiry” button. Click on this button, and you will see the full contact information for the child’s case worker. At the same time, an automatic, initial inquiry will be sent from your computer to the child's case worker. (So, you don't have to call.)
4. Keep logging in to the website to check for an initial response from the case worker after you have inquired. Please remember that you need to go to adoptuskids.org to see the response. It is not forwarded to your email inbox. After logging in to the website, you can find the case worker's response on "My Page" by selecting the link: "Responses to My Inquiries."
5. The initial response will tell you how to submit your homestudy directly to the child's case worker or recruiter so that you can be considered for the child. (The case worker has a website tool that makes it easier for her/him to send this response to you through the website instead of calling and telling you over the phone how to send the homestudy to her/him.)
6. Send your homestudy!
If you do not receive an initial response within a week, or if you have any questions, please let us know at 1-888-200-4005 or at info@adoptuskids.org. Thanks! Elizabeth Brescia
AdoptUsKids Family Advocate
The initial response is essentially a brief form letter response. The worker saves a few different form letters so that, for example, to respond to 10 families who have used AdoptUsKids.org to submit new inquiries, the child's worker can just select all of the families' names, then send the same form letter requesting their homestudy to all of them with the push of a "send response" button. For four more families who have submitted inquiries, but have dogs in the home and this child is waiting for a family but dangerously allergic, then the case worker can select all four families' names, then send a "your family was not chosen for this child" standard response with the push of a button. How did the case worker know that they have dogs? The family's initial inquiry shows up for the case worker under the child's photolisting with the date of inquiry and the family's name, but that name is a link to the family's profile, in which they mentioned their pets because that is a question in the registration. A "send-your-homestudy" initial response often says something like this:
Thank you for your interest in an Oklahoma waiting child. To be considered for placement, please fax a complete and updated (within one year) adoptive home study, which is approved through a licensed agency, to me at ### or you can mail it to ***. If you have the ability to email a signed copy you may send that to ---@--.org. If we already have your study on file, please fax or email us a note that you would like to be considered for additional children. On any correspondence, please include the name and ID numbers for all children in whom you are interested, and also indicate if you are approved through a public or private agency. If you live in Oklahoma and have a current home study approved through OKDHS, please contact your adoption specialist regarding specific children on our websites. Thank you for considering Oklahoma’s Waiting Children!
The second response, which may not come or may come a lot later, is sent long after the homestudy is submitted. This later response:
1. Does not come through AdoptUsKids.org. The case worker would call or email the family or their case worker.
2. Is a response to the family's full homestudy.
You can expect an initial response and can contact AdoptUsKids if you don't get one. Not receiving a response to your homestudy is more complicated but we will try to help!
Elizabeth Brescia,
AdoptUsKids Family Advocate
Hi. I am Kristi with the Cherokee Nation. Cherokee Nation adoption workers are instructed to give as many options as possible to waiting adoptive parents which may be the reason you have been asked if you would be willing to work with a private adoption agency. We encourage all of our families to utilize all avenues of adoption. However, we also encourage our families to do what is best for THEIR family and if they do not feel that working with a private agency is something they feel is in their best interest, that is up to them. Legal risk in adoption is often a very big factor especially with a Native American infant. I don't want any adoptive parents to be discouraged but I do want our families to be as educated on the adoption process as possible. The more information you are armed with enables you to make a decision that is best for your family. Cherokee Nation has many families that do not want to work with a private agency and that don't want to take a high risk child. That is up to them and a family should not ever feel pressured into doing something that they do not feel comfortable with.
Thank You,
Kristi Crawford
Program Manager
ICW - Adoption
Cherokee Nation
I am extremely discouraged. From what I have just been told by an agency in my town and from what anonymous has said on this blog, it sounds that the top 5 matches have more to do with how close a family is located to a child than anything else. I thought this site was to encourage interstate adoptions, but it seems that the states frequently have no intention of doing an interstate adoption.
I got started by this site and thought that states actually used it a lot for the children that they were unable to place in their own state. Now I have no clue what they are doing, but I can guess, and I think it might have to do with avoiding interstate compact agreements and extra work among other reasons, regardless of whether or not the child ever gets a home.
I see children on this site stay on this site when, according to the social worker, they have had numerous inquiries. The child doesn't get a home and waits and waits, and I can't imagine that all those approved families are not good matches. I see family after family on these blogs say that they never get called or that social workers take leave and no one is doing their job.
And it seems that some of the families who don't give up sometimes finally find some way of getting through the system and adopting after quite a long time and many discouragements. Of course, something must go right somewhere, but it isn't happening enough as far as I can tell.
This site is a great idea, but it works poorly when it is not supported by the state agencies or the agencies through which the families get approved. Originally this site helped me make the decision to adopt, something I had considered for years and felt was something I was meant to do. But now I am thinking that all my encouragement from this site may be for naught, as all the discouragements that have happened to other families are now happening to me.
It is such an ironic twist that there are so many children who need homes, and so many approved families who want to adopt, and even with this site it takes years for them to get together, and that only happens if the family is willing to be put through the ringer for approval, often learning the ropes on their own, and then willing to be ignored for years while they watch the kids not get homes. The kids don't have a choice. I do.
I hope I can find the wisdom to deal with it all because I'm pretty sure I could deal with one of the most difficult children that they could give me or make it through medical school easier than I can deal with this "system". I honestly think that after all these years of wanting to adopt, and having gone through the long approval process, I am now feeling like it is a terrible experience, because the desire to help throws me into the same system that has already defeated many of the children that are in it, by giving one a feeling of being invisible, ignored and powerless. The kids AND the families are drowning in a sea of unanswered questions and endless uncertainties.
I know others who have given up on adopting out of the country or adopting babies, but I never thought that it would be so ridiculously hard and such an unpleasant experience to try to adopt older children that need a home so badly right in my own country.
We get little or conflicting info from many of the children's agencies and little guidance from ours. I don't believe the agencies have the motivation or incentive or perhaps money or manpower to spend the time it takes to get these matches made. Until this changes, I see this as an overall continuing tragedy for many of the kids in the system. And what will make it change? I honestly don't know. The only two ingredients that I ever see get things done anywhere are complete dedication and passion OR monetary rewards. Do we have either of these in this system of ours? Can we instill passion? Can we pay more for children's placements? I have no idea, but I sure would if it would make things better.
I realize that this site is probably working to make matches, perhaps for many more than ever before. But I am realizing that this site has not fixed the system nor can it take the pain out of this process. Adopting is definitely not a process for the faint of heart. Surely anyone who can make it through this can parent any of the children on any of these pages, because they will have to be steadfast, determined against all odds, flexible beyond measure, and able to advocate powerfully when they are frequently rendered powerless.
I admire those of you who have managed to be and do these things. More power to you.
Disillusioned and Disheartened
I believe what typically helped us on each of our adoptions was that
fact that both Mike and I were in agreement. We both went to training classes to learn about the individual needs of each of our children. Plus set our home up to help each child be successful. We were always willing to go above and beyond for each child. If they needed extra help in school we would find a tutor, we do lots of family things. The entire family took Ta Kwon Do together; we attend church together, do
community service as a family and always respect the birth families. We have a cultural agreement with one of the siblings groups. We had to agree to specific cultural activities. We never adopted without talking to all of our children to see how they felt about another sibling. Well that is not completely true. Our last two was a very fast one and my oldest son was always on the run. The boys came on a Friday and at church on Sunday while we were checking them in Sunday School John came up and said 'hey little brother.' I smiled and said 'you don't know how
right you are.' That adoption was completed in less than 3 months.
Tammy
I have found this to be IMPOSSIBLE!There are far too many caseworkers who do not even respond back.I live in Pennsylvania.Some counties like Philadelphia are great and respond back quickly.I have had sucess with Franklin and some private agencies but there is one agency in particul Monoe county that I have sent 6 responses to a child and I have heard nothing.
As a professional myself I know that this is not fair.We are ALL extemely busy and to write a SHORT email of acknowledgment does not take long.
What is a prospective adoptive parent to do?
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