[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by thismommylife

Yes, there is no such thing as "adopt only" in Riverside county. You have to foster/adopt but be very clear you EXPECT to adopt the baby. With that being said, I'd only choose a case that was highly likely of going to adoption.

THere is actually....I am sure it is tougher to get since more people are choosing to adopt through the county, but they do get parents relinquishing babies to the county at the hospital who have decided last minute to make an adoption plan. the county gets a call that there is a parent/are parents who are looking to place and need help. the sw takes profiles of waiting county families for the parent/parents to choose from....just like a typical domestic adoption.

When we were taking adoption classes to adopt our foster son, our workers were telling my dh and i how they had spent all night at the hospital because they could not find a single family to take a newborn boy, they all wanted girls. this was in may of 2008....so not that long ago. I asked what they were talking about and they told me about the relinquishment program. had we not moved shortly after this, i would have signed up for this.

[thismommylife]

Momtoeli,
That is exactly right! my son was born 5/08 and we were open to either gender. When our social worker called she said we could be on a very long waitlist if we preferred a girl. I said either gender was fine and she told me if that was the case we'd definitely get a boy. Guess what, we did! I dont know why there were so many waiting for girls, I guess it just happens that way...

Too funny that you had this same conversation! So mine was born 5/08 and we received placement 7/08. How old is your son?

[thismommylife]

Oh and just to clarify, relinquished babies are still foster to adopt. You still have to foster the minimum 6 month period and then petition the court to adopt just like any other case. My friends accepted a relinquished baby which means only moms rights were terminated. They still had to search for bio dad and terminate his rights legally even though the baby was relinquished. And even if both parents had terminated at birth the baby still has to live in the foster home for the 6 month period before finalization.

[DannieAS]

the funny thing is, I was open to either gender fully expecting a boy.

um I got the princess of universe diva and a half placed with me

now when I do go back for one more I will have to ask for a girl because they will need to share a room. So the poor boys

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by thismommylife

Momtoeli,
That is exactly right! my son was born 5/08 and we were open to either gender. When our social worker called she said we could be on a very long waitlist if we preferred a girl. I said either gender was fine and she told me if that was the case we'd definitely get a boy. Guess what, we did! I dont know why there were so many waiting for girls, I guess it just happens that way...

Too funny that you had this same conversation! So mine was born 5/08 and we received placement 7/08. How old is your son?

three

[JeepGal]

Well....Its been an interesting week.

On Monday we got a call to take an 11 week old Hispanic baby boy! It would have been concurrent planning, as the Mom was still trying to work her case plan and do visits, but at 17 years old, the cards were stacked against her

We knew the foster mom that had him, and went over to see him. Foster mom said that mom said that Dad was black.

Unfortunately, we just felt that our whiter than white family would make him feel as if he just didnt fit, so we declined. We could pull off a hispanic child with ease, as Im brown hair brown eyes, but my husbands family is all blonde and blue. My daughters are blonde and blue. All of our family is white, and we have no black friends. (we are not prejudiced, it just hasnt happened.)

That was the hardest thing Ive ever done. He was absolutely adorable!

We are really truly hoping for a sibling set under age 6...

They have already found him a home, Im sure it was easy to do, he was perfect.

Tam

[Bellesmama]

My husband and I went through the classes with Riverside county fall 2010. Few bumps along the way with fingerprints since we haven't lived in CA for 5 years. We're still waiting to do our home study interviews.

We're looking at fostering for awhile and then doing concurrent to adopt. We are open to 0-6 two siblings any race.

Just wanted to post and bump this up. See if there's been any updates with anyone. Really enjoying reading how it's going in Riverside county.

[Nicole04]

And my husband and I were in the same class with Bellesmama .

We are currently looking to foster-adopt, concurrent planning, 2 children ages 0-4. Any race, any gender, open to many needs/concerns. We went to the Heart Gallery last week and are seriously talking about upping our age limit. Our hearts are open to any age, I just think we are younger than most adoptive parents (and have no bio children nor plan to have any) so we are trying to decide what is best.

So far, I love Riverside county as well. Yes, it's taking a bit of time (had our orientation July 2010), but that is simply due to budget cuts=understaffing. I love our SW and everyone has been wonderful. We have officially been on a the placement list for a month or so, and I guess the matchers are kind of duking it out who to match us with since we are pretty open.

Off to PM the PP who offered advice about Riverside county.

[TeddiN]

Thank you for bumping this up. I love hearing from everyone in Riverside County as well. So far, I absolutely love Riverside County. The only time I felt as though things weren't going as smoothly was when our HS was with a SW that was contracted by the county. Once the county found out the date of our HS and saw that it wasn't back, things started moving again

Just waiting for our HS to be completely approved and then the "real wait" begins.

[ValerieR]

Curious if any of you going thru the process with Riverside County considered San Bernardino as well? Anyone with San Bernardino County experience? My husband are looking into both... Does anyone know if it is possible to go thru both Counties? Would love to hear your stories... Thinking about attending Riversides Orientation at the end of the week.

[ValerieR]

Originally Posted by ValerieR

Curious if any of you going thru the process with Riverside County considered San Bernardino as well? Anyone with San Bernardino County experience? My husband are looking into both... Does anyone know if it is possible to go thru both Counties? Would love to hear your stories... Thinking about attending Riversides Orientation at the end of the week.

One other question... I didn't see anything on Riverside County's website regarding whether or not you have to be a resident of the County. Does anyone know the answer to this? I saw that Orange County requires residency.

Thank you!

[DannieAS]

Originally Posted by ValerieR

One other question... I didn't see anything on Riverside County's website regarding whether or not you have to be a resident of the County. Does anyone know the answer to this? I saw that Orange County requires residency.

Thank you!

if you go through the county, you need to be a reside in the county. If you go through an agency, they work with various counties

[ValerieR]

Thank you... Through more research I am finding that out. Do you mind me asking which route you took? Originally, we were leaning more towards a private agency, but it seems like placement may occur faster through County and that you are more likely to get an infant? My husband and I are open to 0-5, but prefer younger. The only question that comes to mind now is if an agency works with multiple Counties, is that is a better route? More opportunity/faster placement?

[DannieAS]

Originally Posted by ValerieR

Thank you... Through more research I am finding that out. Do you mind me asking which route you took? Originally, we were leaning more towards a private agency, but it seems like placement may occur faster through County and that you are more likely to get an infant? My husband and I are open to 0-5, but prefer younger. The only question that comes to mind now is if an agency works with multiple Counties, is that is a better route? More opportunity/faster placement?

I went directly through Riv. county however, my homestudy was approved the month before the big freeze in CA budget and then furloughs started happening with social workers and dmv. So I would research and see what would be a better fit for you guys especially since it seems that the process has slowed down due to the budget cuts and furloughs.
One pro of county is that they like to use their homes first before calling agencies.....however, sometimes kids/infants come in waves and they have to call county and then agencies like mad....so it's really hit and miss. Sorry this response isn't so entirely helpful

[ValerieR]

Originally Posted by DannieAS

I went directly through Riv. county however, my homestudy was approved the month before the big freeze in CA budget and then furloughs started happening with social workers and dmv. So I would research and see what would be a better fit for you guys especially since it seems that the process has slowed down due to the budget cuts and furloughs.
One pro of county is that they like to use their homes first before calling agencies.....however, sometimes kids/infants come in waves and they have to call county and then agencies like mad....so it's really hit and miss. Sorry this response isn't so entirely helpful

Thanks again for the info. We would have to go thru San Bernardino County, since that is where we live. Do you know anyone who has dealt with them? I called today and they are supposed to be mailing us info. Also, any good resource suggestions? I'm not even sure of what I need to ask them other then some basics. I searched for a while on the boards earlier and didn't find anything. If you know where I can find some helpful info I would greatly appreciate it.
Again, thanks a bunch for your help!