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We're in PA & have just signed off on all of homestudy stuff, so I think I can help with some of your questions. Once we selected an agency (we researched several in order to find one that best met our needs - older child/sib group with option to go out of state), we specified that we wanted straight adoption - no foster care. We chose to go with a private agancy for these reasons, but retain the option of going through our DHS system if an appropriate match is found within our state.
I believe that most, if not all, states require a period of fostering the children before adoption can be finalized (even kids with TPR).
You also need to complete required training (ours was foster/adopt so we retained the right to do either) and get your info together for the homestudy. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THIS! They just want to be sure that you're not a total "whack job" - that you have the ability, motivation, and true desire to parent a child in a relatively clean residence!
Feel free to PM me with any other questions. I also can recommend some great books on the process.
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