[wannabeapapi]

Hi my name is Jesse. I am a 36 year old gay male. My partner and I have been together for 13 years now. We finally want to start a family. We have decided to fost-adopt. We live in los angeles and were just approved by the Childrens Bureau. Im sure this is going to be a long process. Any advice? Has anyone used the CB?

[servnjah]

Jesse, are y'all looking for an infant or willing to foster various ages? Are you doing only "legal risk" or willing to foster and support RU? Has your agency given you any idea how long it takes to get a placement, generally, in your area?

[farmchick]

When you say "just approved" does that mean licensed? It might not be a long process, if you are already through the homestudy and the classes. Otherwise, it took us about 6 months - which goes by faster than you think. What ages are you looking at?

[wannabeapapi]

Hi, approved meaning, we attended an orientation which went very well. We decided to start the process. We filled out an ap and they called to tell us that we were approved to start. We are scheduled to start classes march 11. We want to fost adopt a child around 1 years old that we hope to eventually call our own. From what i understand this is going to be a long process. Just trying to stay positive

[Live.and.Learn]

Congratulations on your decision and best wishes on you journey.

[alys1]

At least in your state there will be no discrimination against you as a gay couple. That will really help things. The stability of your relationship is a plus, too, and congrats on that. :-)

If you can volunteer around foster children, that would give insight into their issues. And if there are adoption support groups nearby, go. Usually you don't have to be licensed. Will help to learn about how the system functions from the POV of the FPs. And establish friendships with people who "truly get" fostering to adopt (most people don't.)

Best of success to you in becoming dads!

[Forevernmyheart]

Welcome to the boards and congratulations on starting your journey. It definitely is a long journey, but well worth it.

[elizabeth30]

I personally like having an agency for extra support. Good Luck on your journey! Foster care is definitely a roller coaster ride...

[takeuwithme96]

Hello Jesse - that is great you two have been together a long time. How is your process going with Fostering-to-adopting? I am gay as well (female) and my partner and I have been together 7 years, married 3 years, and just got civil unionized this month. I have been working with Children's Home & Aid - but we're not going to use services until 2014 when our oldest daughter turns 18. We have two children (my partner's biological children - 10 & soon to be 16). Good luck with everything, and nice to see another gay person here!

Originally Posted by wannabeapapi

Hi my name is Jesse. I am a 36 year old gay male. My partner and I have been together for 13 years now. We finally want to start a family. We have decided to fost-adopt. We live in los angeles and were just approved by the Childrens Bureau. Im sure this is going to be a long process. Any advice? Has anyone used the CB?

[takeuwithme96]

How exciting for you two. That is what we want to do, but hopefully an infant to 3 years old. Good luck!

Originally Posted by wannabeapapi

Hi, approved meaning, we attended an orientation which went very well. We decided to start the process. We filled out an ap and they called to tell us that we were approved to start. We are scheduled to start classes march 11. We want to fost adopt a child around 1 years old that we hope to eventually call our own. From what i understand this is going to be a long process. Just trying to stay positive

[mythreesonsjmo]

Definitely count on months, I'd say not sooner than six months, there is a lot of paperwork that goes into it. Criminal background checks, sex offender checks, local background checks (which means they figure out how many times the cops have been called out, etc), health checks, animals vaccinated, home inspected, family background profile, financial check, basically everything in your life will be examined. Then there is waiting for paperwork to come back, and probably several visits to your home, and it will seem like forever. Hopefully it won't be more than six, but it can take up to a year for some people in some areas. However, once you are done you'll be ready for placements and the child that is out there for you.

[takeuwithme96]

Well, I was told that as long as I can provide shelter and food to my family before the child comes in our home, then that is all they check on your finances. What exactly do you mean by financial check?

I do have several collection bills - medical and credit card. Will this affect anything? However, I can financially support my family now with food, shelter and basic necessities. I get assistance right now too with clothes. My mom helps me with that mostly. My partner has been unemployed for a year, but her SSDI is going to come soon. And I just started a new job full time so things should be more settled by two years when we want to foster.

Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by mythreesonsjmo

Definitely count on months, I'd say not sooner than six months, there is a lot of paperwork that goes into it. Criminal background checks, sex offender checks, local background checks (which means they figure out how many times the cops have been called out, etc), health checks, animals vaccinated, home inspected, family background profile, financial check, basically everything in your life will be examined. Then there is waiting for paperwork to come back, and probably several visits to your home, and it will seem like forever. Hopefully it won't be more than six, but it can take up to a year for some people in some areas. However, once you are done you'll be ready for placements and the child that is out there for you.

[wannabeapapi]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it. So this past saturday we attended our first training course. Went well, a little overwhealming. Today i received a call from the SW that has been assigned to us, she seems very nice. Updates when i have them

[takeuwithme96]

Jesse - I am glad to hear. How did the training go?

Originally Posted by wannabeapapi

Hi everyone, thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it. So this past saturday we attended our first training course. Went well, a little overwhealming. Today i received a call from the SW that has been assigned to us, she seems very nice. Updates when i have them

[wannabeapapi]

Hi takeyouwithme! Training was good. Lots of info. We are trying really hard to be patient. We know this will be a long process, just hope its not too bumpy of a road. Where are you? We are in los angeles