I have to tell you that we tried the first year and a half of our adoption venture through a private agency. They failed us miserably to the point they lost their state contract.
We needed to make a decision as to whether or not to place our homestudy with another private agency or directly with our county DFCS. DH & I decided to deal with DFCS since they are local, also realizing we could not be treated any worse than we had already been treated by our private agency.
Upon placement of our homestudy with DFCS, they came out and did a home inspection within a few days. Just days later we were approached about a sibling group. They were not yet legally free, but termination was going to begin soon and was just a formality. DH & I were ready to dive in hearts
first, but the girls had some medical issues and the psychs and CASA could not agree on what was best for the children. After two months of hanging on, we were told that the girls were going to stay in the custody of the group home where they were at that time.
Disappointed? You betcha!! Same day received a call back from our CW. Would we be interested in foster to adopt? They had a girl in our age range available for foster to adopt. All this time we were registered simply as an adoptivie family. We did not want to take the risk of having a child(ren) placed with us, only for them to be reunited with their bfamily. There is a reason we have taken in 5 stray cats and never found new homes for them
We were very upfront with DFCS that we would willingly change our status if they were really honest with us about a placement were in all likelyhood there would be no reunification.
All of this happened in the matter of one day. Our new dd moved in with us 2 days later. She would have been brought home the very same day if the CW'S had not had training which they could not get out of.
This was last September. TPR was filed in January (was supposed to have been December- changes in lawyers). Following numerous continuances, TPR hearing was held in June and the judge issued his decision on July 17. We expect to sign the final adoption papers towards the end of September or as soon as we can get a court date
whichever comes first!
As far as the money situation goes, we are also not rich. None of us here do this for the money because we do put out much more than we receive. I can tell you though that our county has been extremely generous in helping us. Yes, we have to outlay expenses first, but they always reimburse us in a timely manner. Besides our monthly subsidy and dd's medicaid, DFCS has never said no to us for anything: diagnostic testing for Autism, summer camp, swimming lessons, eye glasses, dental visits.
Just an additional thought...our county (as does many parts of the country) has a serious Meth problem. Local DFCS are the ones who receive the call to come pick up the kids and there are lots of them. In our county, reunificiation only occurs 10% of the time, surrounding counties may go as high as 30%. If your heart can handle it, IMHO, it is best to cut out the middle man (the private agency) and deal directly with DFCS and go with foster to adopt. These people are the ones who are responsible for finding a home for these children whether it be temporary as in foster placement or permanent as in adoption.
If you are unsure, you could always do respite care to start. Either way, DFCS will get to know you first hand. Another consideration is the fact that in most circumstances the foster family will have the first option of adopting a child should them become legally free.
Sorry this is so long, it is just that I feel very strongly about it!