You are right about the website being unavailable! Sorry for the mix-up. You can go to adoptuskids.org and register with us. You'll then be contacted by the recruitment response team in your state. A team member can provide your state's procedures for interstate adoptions.
Has anyone finalized an interstate adoption? Tell us about it!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
more about interstate adoptions
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27 comments:
Hi,
I have always been interested in adopting a sibling group. What challenges are there in this type of adoption? Is there adoption assistance? What is involved in a home study and how do I obtain one?
Any information on adopting sibling groups would be helpful.
Thanks
I have inquired about two different kids from out of my state, and my homestudy has been to the caseworker of both children. One of the worker has responded, and I sent her a family profile, photo, and other information. They will get back to me if they think I am an good match for this child.
The second child I haven't heard anything from the caseworker after sending my homestudy. How long should I wait to hear from the caseworker back? Should I assume if I don't hear anything more from the caseworker that I am not being considered for the child?
I have been a foster parent in New York state for 2 years, and registered with adoptuskids for almost as long. What is a recruitment response team and when will they contact me? I have never heard of this. Thanks, Jane
Has anyone out there, found the child before the homestudy was complete?
I am in love, silly as that may sound, I have looked over the past few months and the same child speaks to my heart when I get to her picture.
If anyone out there has gone through something similar I would love to know how it turned out. Many say, she will be gone by the time our homestudy is complete. I have mixed emotions about that. First and foremost I want her to have a forever mom and dad; a close second is wanting that mom and dad to be us :)
Thanks!
I do not know about the child you wish to adopt, but my home study is complete. So far of the five children I wanted to adopt they were all already in the adoption process with another family. Sometimes it is hard not to get discouraged through this process. Just remember there are so many children and these bios are small. The very best child for you might not be the one you invision now
We have an approved home study that we've sent to be considered for waiting children in several different states. I'm wondering if states give preference to families living within the same state when choosing a family for placement.
WE LIVE IN FLORIDA AND TRIED FOR OVER A YEAR TO FIND A SIBLING GROUP WITHIN OUR STATE BUT TO NO AVAIL. WE ALREADY HAD A HOMESTUDY DONE PRIVATELY WHICH WE PAID DEARLY FOR. WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT THROUGH MOST STATE D.C.F. DEPTS. YOU CAN TAKE YOUR M.A.P.P. CLASS AND GET A HOMESTUDY DONE FOR FREE. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR SIBLINGS ON ADOPTUSKIDS AND HAVE SENT OUT TONS OF HOMESTUDY & FAMILY PROFILES AND 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 HEARD NOTHING BACK. PLEASE DON'T BE DISCOURAGED. KEEP PUSHING ON AND PRAYING & IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT. WE FOUND A BROTHER & SISTER IN OREGON AND THE D.C.F. DEPARTMENT THERE HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO DEAL WITH. AFTER TAKING M.A.P.P. CLASSES IN YOUR STATE A CASEWORKER WILL BE ASSIGNED TO YOU & THEY WILL BE YOUR LIASSON BETWEEN YOU AND THE OTHER STATE. THINGS ARE GOING SMOOTHLY AND WE SHOULD BE FLYING OUT TO MEET THE CHILDREN VERY SOON!! WE ARE SOOOO EXCITED. PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP HOPE....THE SQUEAKY WHEEL ALWAYS GETS THE OIL!!
My husband and I inquired on a sibling group from anther state, we are west coast & they were close to the east coast. It took 3 months to hear we were being concidered and about 6 months total to hear that they chose a family closer to their location. We had done our home study 2 years eariler but the worker had not finished it on her end as we were mainly doing foster care and not sure if we wanted to adopt, this will be starting over for us we have 3 boys in their earily 20's. The worked finished it and sent it to the worker of the kids. They will work with you. The kids we inquired on were only listed active for a couple of days and had so many hits they were pulled. You do need to act fast if you are really iterested. The most important thing you can do is pray that Jesus finds the purfect family for the kids and for you. Good luck and God Bless.
For the person asking about finding a child before completing your homestudy - BAAAD idea. We did that and it only leads to heartache. My advice is don't even look for a child until your agency worker says the home study is signed and absolutely complete.
I live in New Mexico and am registered through the state (CYFD). I am also a licensed foster parent. I have seen several out of state children I am interested in but my case worker told me that she cannot send my home study out of state without an ICPC (interstate compact for placement of children) requested by the child's worker. Since very little information is listed with the child, I feel an ICPC is a little premature at that point. Plus, a child's worker is NOT going to go through the trouble of getting an ICPC if they do not even know if I am a good match for that child?! Are all states like this or is New Mexico the only one the seems to be messed up? Would it be the same if I went away from CYFD and worked with a private agency? There are so many children who are looking for a "forever family" but I am afraid that many prospective parents give up fighting the bureaucracy of the process.
Our family has adopted 3 beautiful children. One adoption has been in our same state and 2 have been interstate. If anyone has questions or would like more information about what to expect feel free to contact me. I want all these beautiful children to find loving homes forever.
We have been foster parents for 8 years and we got 2 kids one of them was just born. We keep them for 17 and 1/2 months thinking we were going to get to adopt them because they had been legaly free for about 6 months.We even had signed a letter of intent.Then one day the worker came and got the kids and put them in a home to be adopted by another couple who had never seen these children before. So I am very turned off at the system for letting things like this happen
I tried the foster parent route, but I don't like the idea of a child being moved from one place to another. I'd rather adopt the child and to give him or her love as well as stability. I've let my agency know this because I just don't like fostering. Also, apparently, it is a good idea to make it absolutely clear that you want to adopt the children you're fostering so that they aren't taken from you, especially not after 17 1/2 months. That's emotionally hard on you and the children. I wouldn't give up though. I'm finding that the system doesn't work as well as it should, but, by making things clear verbally and filling out the necessary paperwork asap, perhaps you can avoid future emotional trauma for yourself and the children. We're all good people who want to do a good thing by fostering/adopting children in need of caring families.
Anonymous - This is unbelieveable! My heart breaks for you. I have a friend who had a similar thing happen to her in Ariz.
The system of interstate adoption is fraught with potholes. It does give one pause.
I get the impression that SW organizations get paid the same whether its an out-of-state or an in-state placement, so there is little incentive to have to go through the ICPC process. Assuming most states are just like Massachusetts, SWs are already overstressed and underpaid, so I cannot blame them for wanting to take the path of least resistance for placing a child. For older children there is also proximity to extended family and siblings to consider.
We are in the process of adopting out 4th 5th and 6th son from NY and we live in GA. Our ICPC is going so smoothly. We have had muliple visits from all 3 boys and the social workers and admin. in NY are FAB! The state pays for one visit per month until move in so we have been visiting with the boys since Oct. We are planning for a March move in date if all goes as planned. You have to keep wonderful helpful people on your side Email has been a blessing. We have adopted before but this is out first interstate and It is not as bad as people think. make sure to establish a relationship with someone in your local DFCS! Need any help I am here for anyone who has any questions. Keep the faith if it is God's will He will make in happen! C
Hopeful mommy to be,
I know exactly how you feel. i went to a heart Gallery event and saw my gorgeous sons picture and knew the minute I saw him he was my son. wasn't looking for a 13 yr old, now 15 but he is my BABY.I went through hell ansd back to get him but it was all worth it. And yes our home study was not finished my husband was in IRAQ and it all worked out! If it is God's will for that child to be yours it will be so. Never give up, but if she is gone when you are ready then there is another out there that is specially chosen for you. As I found out 2 years later with finding my next 3 sons!
Wenow have 6 kids!!! hehe
Peace and Joy, C
Amy,
Establish a relationship with your local DFCS you need an advocate that really care. That is the first step, you cannot do it on your own. Heart Gallery is a wonderful program, I found all of my 4 boys through this wonderful program. They have a website in almost every state.Peace, C
New Mex Mom,
The ICPC is done AFTER you are matched. We are in the middle of a ICPC we are in GA and our new 3 teenage sons are in NY.If you want some good connections in New Mexico you should get in contact with HEART GALLERY New Mexico. Diane Granito is the head of the whole organization she would be a wonderful advocate in your area.
God Bless your adventure, C
My name is Jill May. I am the Foster Care and Adoption Bureau Chief for the state of New Mexico. Thanks for your question. A prospective adoptive family can have their home study sent to another state if they have been licensed for one year. After that point, we can send their home study to another state at the request of the state.
Thanks for your inquiry, Jane. There are two RRTs in NY. One RRT is for the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island), and the other RRT is for the rest of the state. I represent the "rest of state" RRT, which is the NYS Citizens' Coalition
for Children.
Recruitment Response Teams throughout the country are dedicated to helping prospective adoptive parents be successful in their efforts to become an adoptive or foster parent to a waiting child. Whenever a prospective adoptive parent contacts the AdoptUsKids office, that person is assigned to the RRT in their own state. The RRT then contacts the prospective parent and provides any information needed to assist the person to move on to the next step in the process.
One of the things we always do is to refer prospective parents to a
local adoptive/foster parent support group. Experienced adoptive/foster parents know the most about local resources and can be a wonderful source of ongoing support--both before and after an adoptive or foster care placement.
We would love to be in touch with you, Jane. Please do call
1-888-200-4005.
Also, go to our website for a great article: Tips on Finding a Child and Speeding the Process, http://www.nysccc.org/Adoptive%20Parent%20Info./waittoadopt.htm.(This article can be helpful to prospective adoptive parents in any state.)
Very best wishes to you and all who are waiting. I know it can be very frustrating, but, believe me, when you and your child find each other, you'll know it's all been worth it! Judith
To the mom that had the 2 children taken out of her home after 17 1/2 months and placed in another foster home to be adopted. My heart goes out to you. That just shouldn't happen. On a religious note I know that God will bless you for the love you have given to these children. Best wishes to you
Hello,
I am with a prospective adoptive parent with a private agency in KY. I chose to do this after not having much luck with in state adoption. I left KY DCBS affilitation in good standing and I had gone through the state required training in KY for adopting foster children and special needs children. I wonder if other state agencies looking at my current home study (through a private agency which caters to adoption of infants) do not want to bother with my case because they think I will have to go through weeks of training??
Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.
My name is Jailynn Smiley and I work with the Texas Response Team for AdoptUsKids.
I would like to have more detailed information from the family who says they have been trying to reach someone in Texas about children they are interested in, but have not spoken to anyone.
I want to answer your questions and address your concerns, but need more information from you.
Please contact AdoptUsKids and let them know you need to speak with the Texas RRT. They will send a message to us and we WILL contact you as soon as possible.
I will try to find answers for you.
THANK YOU!
To the support group in Georgia. How do I get in contact with you?
A couple of helpful things on interstate adoption.
Home studies are always required and can be obtained through your local Department of Social Sevices (or your state's equivalent), and often a parental training course is required (having attended the training, I highly recommend it for all prospective foster and adoptive parents). Do yourself a favor and don't begin the search process until after completing both the training and the home study.
On interstate adoptions, in general more paperwork is required, but that should not be a significant hinderance.
There is an organization called Adopt Air that works with Mercy Medical Airlift that arranges for adoptive children to fly up to 1000 miles. For eligibility info go to www.adoptea.org.
If you do not see the support group for your area, please call your DFCS or the agengy you are going through. If you already adopted one child and they are teenagers there is a support group for children with activities. During the 1st hour they meet with the parents on any issues, It is called ATEAM.
Hello, my wife recently found out she has two siblings in Arizona. My wife is 28 and I am 30. The kids are currently in foster care, and we want to adopt them. They are 5 and 7. They also have a teenage sister, and we want to adopt her as well. We have already contacted their case worker, and met with the kids. The case worker said the foster parents are looking to adopt as well, and that although we are blood relatives, our chances of getting the kids are 50/50, due to the fact that we live in New Mexico, and have not had the chance to establish a relationship with the children. Their biological mother is mentally challenged, and will not be alowed to have the kids back. What do we do? We told the case worker that we want to adopt, and that we do NOT want to break up the 3 kids. Thier father has lost his rights to the kids as well. The kids have been in the foster home for over 6 months, and I must say they are wonderfull people, however, those kids have a ton of family they don't even know about, and we would love to have them in our home! Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
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