[NICKI4NYC]

I live in NYC, washington heights which mostly consisting of latino and african american. Does anyone know, and from NYC, what are my chances at getting a latino infant? I want to know if I need to change that I just assumed that when they say they get a lot of babies that, I had a pretty good chance, for latino. Should I just change it and include african american. Can anyone share some info or experiences?

[leenab]

I'm from NJ. Which has a similar racial make up. If you want a hispanic baby you'll wait longer, but if you're willing to take a bi-racial child, hispanic-african american the wait will be shorter. This is because at least in NJ there are a lot of people who will only take hispanic or caucasian or a mix of the 2. I know people who were liscenced for a year in NYC and never had a child placed with them, so they moved to NJ, completed training here and now had a 10 day old placed with them who is now 4 months old. States differ. NJ is in a crisis mode, not enough foster or fost/adopt families for the children they have and they're maxed out in boarder babies.
Good Luck in NY,
LeenaB

[NICKI4NYC]

Thanks for the advice I will put no preferance. But now I am curious as to why your friends went so long without a child placed. Two social workers from two different agencies told me they have a lot of babies. What do you think? Oh I put I want ages 0 mos. - 6 mos. males. What do you think should I put girl and boy? I won't change the age though. Please share some more advice.

[leenab]

I'm not sure what to tell you other than my friends expereinces in NYC were not good. I asked them about it and they weren't sure why they never got any calls. They had a similar age range 0-5 months and were racially open.

I think it's okay to specify a sex. I know in NJ there is a waiting list for girls, but NYC may differ on this. Here boys are readily available (I know the wording sounds so aweful). I think being as open as possible on race, taking a child who was drug exposed, should put you in the running for a boy if they're out there.

The age range is good. I wouldn't change it if that's what you're comfortable with. But remember that you could be offered a premee. We were offered a 4lb baby which we turned down (the hardest thing I've ever done, but I know it wasn't right for us. so we changed our age range based upon that.) In NJ you'd probably end up with a child at the younger end.

Have you considered moving to NJ? I know of two couples who have recently done it to go through the fost/adopt program here. It may be something to consider if NYC doesn't work out for you.

Good Luck,
LeenaB

[NICKI4NYC]

So moving is not an option for me. But maybe this area I am in is different. There are lots of pregnant teens and street folks pregnant. Lot of women and teens leaving babies in the hospital. But I am way ahead of myself because I did not even start classes yet.