[DannieAS]

I just started taking my Pride classes for Riverside county and yes they did say that 'we' (people who go through the county vs. agency) get first dibs on all the children in the county before the agencies...they said that even people who did fostering through an agency vs. county do not get first pick to adopt the child if it becomes available for adoption like a foster parent through the county would.
I know there are some agencies that they like, but they didn't say the names...and I know that they don't like some either....so I don't know.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by DannieAS

they said that even people who did fostering through an agency vs. county do not get first pick to adopt the child if it becomes available for adoption like a foster parent through the county would.

you are right. we nearly lost the son we were fostering bc of this. his county worker called at 3 months and said they were moving him to a county adoptive home. it worked out for us in the end, but it was either a fluke or an act of God, but it was not protocol.

[DannieAS]

I'm glad you were able to adopt your little one! It is so interesting to read more and more and find out different aspects of adoption/red tape/county/agency etc. as I get farther along the road to adoption reality(hopefully).

[Dannygirl]

I too live in Riverside County and I am very interested in adopting from the foster system. I am hoping you can shed some light on how to start this process. This is what I have been able to achieve so far:

Called L.A. DCFS and they said I had to work with Riverside County. They gave me a number, I called and left a message.

I also searched the County's website for more information but the packet lists all 2008 orientation dates.

Does anyone know how long it will take to receive a call back? Or are there any suggestions for a different approach? Or even better, does anyone know the meeting schedule for 2009?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[DannieAS]

Originally Posted by Dannygirl

I too live in Riverside County and I am very interested in adopting from the foster system. I am hoping you can shed some light on how to start this process. This is what I have been able to achieve so far:

Called L.A. DCFS and they said I had to work with Riverside County. They gave me a number, I called and left a message.

I also searched the County's website for more information but the packet lists all 2008 orientation dates.

Does anyone know how long it will take to receive a call back? Or are there any suggestions for a different approach? Or even better, does anyone know the meeting schedule for 2009?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

OUt of curiosity, why did you call LA county if you lived in Riverside??? of course if you work in LA county like I do and live in Riverside county, I can totally see that.

1. they give you a number to call....they call you back (leave a cell number too...remember this is the county...work hours are 8-4:30pm) they will give you the next orientation meeting date and RSVP you for that. You'll then make up your mind and attend or not attend and the rest is step by step...usually the call back is 24-48 hours....I left only my home number the first time I called and they called there while I was at work, so I called again and left my cell phone number and they called me within 24 hours....

2. after orientation...you'll have plenty of paperwork to fill out both for the state community care licensing and for the county of riverside....then depending on how long it takes to get everything you need to the county they will set up an initial interview and then give you the dates for the classes...

3. when I find out more I can come back and tell you...you can pm me if you need to...I'm in the middle of the classes now so don't know about the homestudy yet and all that...

hope that answered a few initial questions

[DannieAS]

oh yeah, when they give you the orientation date....go ahead and schedule a physical with your Dr. for the week after....they will give you the form at the orientation meeting...and you will have the Dr. fill out the sheet...

Make copies of everything....there will be some things like the physical paperwork that needs to go to both the county and the state.

[Dannygirl]

Originally Posted by DannieAS

OUt of curiosity, why did you call LA county if you lived in Riverside??? of course if you work in LA county like I do and live in Riverside county, I can totally see that.

LOL, I am about as newbie as they come!

I honestly didn't know who to call so I figured if I called LA county they could point me in the right direction. I wasn't having much luck online and didn't know that you had to go through your specific county. The most informative item I found online was this thread so I registered. Its nice to find others who are going through the same experiences.

As for Riverside I did get a call back, which is a refreshing change (that never happened in New York) and I now have the next meeting information. Hopefully I will be attending the same classes soon!

Thanks,
DeeAnn

[DannieAS]

Originally Posted by Dannygirl

LOL, I am about as newbie as they come!

I honestly didn't know who to call so I figured if I called LA county they could point me in the right direction. I wasn't having much luck online and didn't know that you had to go through your specific county. The most informative item I found online was this thread so I registered. Its nice to find others who are going through the same experiences.

As for Riverside I did get a call back, which is a refreshing change (that never happened in New York) and I now have the next meeting information. Hopefully I will be attending the same classes soon!

Thanks,
DeeAnn

Yay!

Good for you! Well since I seem to be a little ahead of you, post here often if you have questions and I'll try to answer them from what I've done so far
Are you single or married???? I'm in my 30s...ok I'm 30 (yay for Tim McGraw's 'next 30 years song') and am in a place where I want to pursue this...at this time I'm not married or dating, but I have my whole family within 20 mins from me so yay family. Have fun with paperwork...just dive in! There's quite a bit...(made buying a home look easy lol)

[Dannygirl]

I haven't done my signature yet, I probably should get on that.

I have been happily married for 7 years (2nd time is the charm). I am 32 and my husband is 33. I have one bio daughter who will be 13 soon. My husband and I have considered adoption for many years now but have never been in a position where we thought we were ready. We had tried off and on to have our own baby unsuccessfully, insurance covered it at no cost but it wasn't what I really wanted...a teen and a baby. We were getting ready to apply for an international adoption when my husband was transferred to New York. Moving across the country the first time was so expensive the adoption was put on hold. While there we tried many times to contact a foster agency but they would never return our calls. We were only in NY for 18 months, it became readily apparent that NY was not for us. So we started looking and my husband took the first job that would move us back across the country but this time to California. We are completely settled and we all absolutely love it here! I have never been so happy and content with my life. My husband is happy, my daughter is happy, I finally feel that we are where we belong. And finally the cost of living is so much less here that I can stay home and be the mother I want to be. While there are children throughout the world that need good loving homes, we know from experience that there are plenty here that need them too. Thats why we chose to adopt here.

Originally Posted by DannieAS

Yay!

Good for you! Well since I seem to be a little ahead of you, post here often if you have questions and I'll try to answer them from what I've done so far
Are you single or married???? I'm in my 30s...ok I'm 30 (yay for Tim McGraw's 'next 30 years song') and am in a place where I want to pursue this...at this time I'm not married or dating, but I have my whole family within 20 mins from me so yay family. Have fun with paperwork...just dive in! There's quite a bit...(made buying a home look easy lol)

[momof9wantingmore]

I adopted two of my children through Riverside County, if I can answer any questions for you I would be happy to do so. We also loved living in Southern California, we have moved to a different state to be closer to family which is nice, but I sure do miss Southern Ca. especially my house in Riverside.

[DannieAS]

Originally Posted by momof9wantingmore

I adopted two of my children through Riverside County, if I can answer any questions for you I would be happy to do so. We also loved living in Southern California, we have moved to a different state to be closer to family which is nice, but I sure do miss Southern Ca. especially my house in Riverside.

since I only have 1 more month of classes, wanted to ask...how was the roller coaster ride once the homestudy began and ended and you waited for placement...did you enjoy working with Riv. county???? just curious...so far so good, but I'm sure it doesn't compare to what comes next.