[want2adopt_IN]

My cw has just rescheduled my homestudy visit (at the last minute) for the second time! Is this typical off case workers in the foster care system? I haven't even had my first placement yet and I am beginning to wonder what else the cw is going to drop the ball on!

[mrsred]

Lets say it isn't atypical. It's the nature of the beast. A CW can arrange her/his schedule ever so carefully, but there are a lot of things that can come up to force a change. Court dates can pop up, a placement may suddenly disrupt, they may suddenly find themselves dealing with a large sibling group that was removed in an emerency situation... Kind of like an ob/gyn.... never know when the next "delivery" may occur.

[want2adopt_IN]

I would like to say that there were emergencies that arose, but both times the cw had just mistakenly "double booked". *sigh*

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

I think the second time, I would have had to say "Well, you have had me reschedule once already so how about the other couple wait this time and let's get mine out of the way" because you know she didn't double book you and the same couple twice!! And if she has cancelled on this other couple before as well, then shame on her. I would ask if someone else could do it as I am anxious and have carved the time out of MY schedule. Your time is just as important as hers.

Kim

[onhazier]

We got rescheduled for our first visit with less than an hour's notice. Turned out the cw knew at least 24 hours in advance but didn't contact us until the last minute. This was an issue with us because we'd made arrangements with out employer. We clearly stated to the cw that we would have appreciated notice as soon as she knew.

She's rescheduled our second visit as well. It will take place later this week. This time, she gave us a week's notice. We were quick to thank her for the advanced notice this time.

They are unwilling to reschedule with another cw because the person who has to write up the homestudy is the one who has to meet with us so s/he has direct experience and interaction with us.

[want2adopt_IN]

Ok, so I am now rescheduled for next Wednesday morning. This means that I have to skip going to my office and my noon charity meeting. If I get booted again I may just scream!

[stevenstwin]

I hope it isn't typical, but let me tell you what happened with MY homestudy!! It was rescheduled so often that we were past the court-determined deadline; I had a "non-relative kinship placement" and they're supposed to have it done without 6 months. So they FINALLy got it started, and I spent over 8 hours in interviews with this CW. Then she got re-assigned right in the middle of it - and they made me start over FROM SCRATCH with a different person! GRR...what a waste of my time! (and then she failed us, LOL She "approved" us to foster, but "failed" us on adopting, even though we'd already had the kid for a year. Go figure the logic of THAT one! She had "conditions" requiring my husband to go for extra training - which he refused to do - so they just left the boy with us in permanent foster limbo until he aged out.)

[jbee]

in my experience the ball gets dropped by mostly everyone, alot.
it sucks because you have to in most cases just grin and bear it without making them mad so they won't cause trouble for you.
it is a fine line to walk, knowing how much complaining they will take without shutting you out
hopefully you will be blessed with good workers who will support you! with our son's adoption we were!
good luck!!!

[want2adopt_IN]

My home visit is scheduled for 11 a.m. and luckily my cw hasn't called to cancel yet. :-) Now I can't sleep! Wish me luck!

[onhazier]

Let us know how it went today. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. (Makes it hard to type.)

[want2adopt_IN]

One to go! Done with the first part of the homestudy! The agency is supposed to call to schedule the final part by Monday (or I get to call them!) CW said that I could be licensed for up to 6 kids! I had to remind him that I was only one person! I persuaded him that I would like to be licensed for 2 just in case a sibling group came along.

He told me that our timing was bad because he just placed a toddler and an infant this morning who had been left in a car by a drug addicted mother! Legal risk, right age, perfect for me I just have to remember that the Lord has a plan for me and obviously these babies weren't a part of it (yet).

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

Just remember that he may have placed those children but that does NOT mean they will adopt them. They may have been a foster only or an emergency placement home. My family has had 4 foster children. Three have gone with relatives and our current looks like he will be headed to TPR. We are foster only and will not be adopting him although he is wonderful. So some lucky family will get to adopt him. That person for those two children could ultimately end up being you. Just let the Lord handle getting the right children to you and then you will have to fight for them.

Kim

[want2adopt_IN]

Thanks for the support. I just have to be patient and trust that the right baby (or babies) will be sent my way. :-)

[momofbgtwins]

want2adopt, you have the right peace of mind. I also believe that the right child for you will come along. We had some hard times with a FFA once. We moved and went through the county and got the children we were meant to have. Best wishes to you.