[gemanda]

Out of nowhere, there's a possibility DH is going to be transferred back to LA. We certainly weren't expecting it! But when they say go, we go.

We're currently licensed in our state as medical foster parents through an agency. Our age range is 0-4 or 5ish. We take a very wide variety of developmental special needs, and have zero race or gender preference.

For the CA experts, are we going to be better off going with an agency or the county? If the transfer goes through, we definitely want to foster/adopt again post-move.

Also, for either option, how is the class/homestudy option as far as timelines at this point? We totally understand that we'll have to do it all over again (our current agency would release our homestudy without question for a basis if requested), but aren't sure as to how much time things are taking out West right now.

Thanks!

[gemanda]

Oh, and for the record...if we move back, we'll probably live up in the Santa Clarita area again.

[Yash]

I personally am all for FFAs. My kids have had some very let's say interesting CWs and I was so glad to have a go between and people who I know were on my side.

But if you are looking to take medically fragile children, you might have to find an agency that specializes in that or go directly through the county. I'm not sure my agency handles or accepts placements of medically fragile children.

I know moving is never fun, but I hope it goes smoothly, easily, and quickly.

[gemanda]

We're not 100% committed to medically fragile at all. We have experience with it...and where we are now, you can only take medically fragile or behavioral if you're with an agency.

I'm definitely a fan of the agency buffer. :lol: But I didn't know how things work in the LA area, if there's just no way to get a young one if you're with an agency (which is what it's becoming here).

[carlychan]

I only have experience with the county but I have been very happy with everyone I have dealt with. There seems to be lots of babies, also. I have always assumed that the other agencies would get the harder to place children (med-frag, older, sibling groups, etc). This may be totally off base, but that is what I have seen.

[excited2adoptsoon]

I went straight through the county in Orange county. Loved it. Had a great experience and everyone involved did an excellent job.

Now I'm going through an agency in Los Angeles county. It's ok. The county workers are great...I feel the agency just adds some extra steps that are time consuming for me. The huge perk is that they are supervising visits whereas the county would have had me do it myself (so they say). The other difference is I get an extra $200 a month from the agency that I wouldn't get with the county (but I personally don't care about the $$, but I know some people really need it).

I personally think it's all a gamble. It's really the luck of the draw with the workers you get.