[JMac4781]

My husband and I are starting to seriously look around for a child (hopefully several!) to adopt. We are interested in adopting a Caucasian/Hispanic child domestically. We earn around 80k combined (as a teacher and a corrections officer) and were wondering what advice about cost and/or agencies any of you wonderful people can offer. I understand that certain agencies/groups may have problems with us due to our "alternative" placement and would like any help or stories we can find! Thank you!

[sbaglio]

I've PM'd you.

[Empty_Nest]

Have you contacted the state or county adoption services? The more flexible you can be about the type of child (and age) you can parent, the better your chances. Sibling groups are often available, and often there is no cost at all if you can take waiting kids. Additionally, there may be maintenance subsidies available as well as additional monies for specific expenses, either one-time payments or ongoing payments. We met a family once who adopted five kids who all needed braces on their teeth, and had a subsidy written specifically to cover that expense. That kind of thing.

In a perfect world, money wouldn't even enter in the picture when it comes to adoption. But having adopted a sib group of five, we learned the hard way what happens when the kids have serious, ongoing needs and the subsidies are inadequate to meet even basic living expenses, let alone the cost of things like therapy.

It might be worth attending an orientation meeting for your county/state adoption agency. Even if you decide the agency is not for you, you would still no doubt learn something from it. There's no such thing as too much research.

Good luck.

[Stella_H]

I know a couple (two men) that just finalized their state adoption of a two year old boy that they had been careing for over the last year. They were worried about being rejected but the social worker they worked with told them that great parents are hard to come by and after much (standard) waiting time they were placed with the sweetest blue eyed boy.

From word of mouth I have heard that state adoptions are easier for "alternative" couples, although the wait can be longer in some cases.

-Congrats on your future fatherhood!

[zempagirl]

I think I would first check out a few local adoptrion agencies. Most have free informational meetings where you gather info about cost and get more info on adoption in general. You may also wnat to check with your employers and see if they offer assistance towards adoption costs. Or like the other people have said look to see what your state offers for adoptions thrugh froster care which in most cases is cheaper or sometimes free.
Also if you can let people know what stae you live in I;m sure people could give you referrals through email.

Good Luck!!!

[2momsinGA]

How are things progressing for you two?
What state are you in?