[krose2]

Hi, I'm new to this group, just starting to look into adoption. We have a 6 year old and a 19month old, so would take one up to 2 years old as the oldest. More looking for maybe one around 1 year old, but would also take a baby. Know someone who went through the county and also Lilliiput and both were happy. One stated if we wanted a baby, would go through the county, but we would also accept a little older, so not sure what would be better. Would the county take longer for the process as I know their caseload is more? Would appreciate any input you may have.

Kelly

[takingtheplunge]

Welcome. Up to two is not considered a little older. Two is still considered young by foster adoption standards. Also, since you want to adopt, and not foster, they will probably want to place a baby that is a min. of 9 months younger than your 19 month old. So, by the time you are done, you are looking at a child 15 months or younger. Even though you might not mind two at two'ish, they like to keep a natural birth order. I assume there are always exceptions.

yes, the county will probably take longer not due to case loads but because classes are once a week and wait time to start the classes. The agency will move you through the paperwork quicker.

However, I will always say that in a high need area, you should go with the county if you are set on adoption. You'll get info from the source (not translated though the agency that gets it from the county) and you get first opp. for placements over agency home. These are huge benefits that to me outweigh time. IMHO
I bet if you compare time from start to 100% finish, you are only looking at 4 months dif. You could waste more time waiting for the angecy to get the county's overflow of children.

[Angelnetty]

Does anyone know if California is still trying to keep natural birth order? I've been reading some books that have been saying that that idea is getting more and more outdated but its possible that they were speaking just about the state they have adopted from.