[carlnkristine]

my husband and i are just beining the adoption process through the county of riverside... i would love any words of wisdom and advice that i may receive... we are very excited... not too completely sure what to expect.... but are prepared for the any outcome... thank you

[horselover58]

Welcome to the board. I am not in Riverside, but my husband was originally from California. I understand Riverside has quite a few children in foster care and foster to adopt. This board is a great place to be. If you have any general questions, we would be happy to help if we can.

[amelie38]

Congratulations! We are still in the process, so my only words of wisdom are: do all of the paperwork they give you ASAP, but know that some may be lost several times. Be prepared to wait, and wait. Stay busy. Don't buy anything other than the most basic, because you may not need it. You can always run to Target or wherever.
You might be one of those lucky few, for whom the processs is smooth sailing and the placement is quick.
Best wishes

[carlnkristine]

have you taken the classes and had the medical and tb test done? also have you had your home study done?

[amelie38]

We finished the classes last December. We did the medical and TB prior to the end of classes. Our homestudy has been streeeeeeeeetched out, to say the least. Week after next I have an appointment to finish it, it it does not get changed (again). That is just us. Another couple from our class was placed two months ago. We have been told to expect to wait one year from the end of classes (Dec.).
I am finally in a place of acceptance. It is what it is and eventually we will raise a child together.
Definitely try to go through county if you can. They have less inane rules than agencies (surprising I know). What do I mean? If I had a 16 year old, I should not have to use a toilet lock. Agency said yes, county laughed.

[carlnkristine]

i will be mailing in our apps on monday and making our appt for our physicals and tb test

[horselover58]

amelia, don't forget those toilet locks. LOL! I can't believe that. Geez....What is it with this poor system? LOL

[carlnkristine]

i was wondering if your are going for foster or adoption?

[JeepGal]

Just finishing our final class on Monday.

The Prudent Parent law is much more realistic allowing you to actually parent. We were not required to lock up the knives, nor all of the household cleaners or over the counter drugs (though we did have them out of each). Also, we can have unlicensed babysitters (the nieghborhood teenager) for the occasional need or date night.

Granted, we are responsible for making sure the child is safe.

We found out all these new rules during our state inspection.

Also, Riverside County has all all potential foster/adopt parents license for both at the same time. You can make the decision at any time.

Tam

[takingtheplunge]

Originally Posted by carlnkristine

my husband and i are just beining the adoption process through the county of riverside... i would love any words of wisdom and advice that i may receive... we are very excited... not too completely sure what to expect.... but are prepared for the any outcome... thank you

Trust the training process. Don't fight it. You will have some lame classes but later you will reflect on them. Treat the sessions like date night (do something special before and after (like a cocktail or coffee).

Try to get your SW's email. It's the best way to communicate. Follow up always but don't be too pushy. Don't be narrow minded on what you want. You might surpringly change your mind and broaden your scope of acceptance.

Be careful what you tell your general public. A lot of ppl are already biased when it comes to fost-adp and they don't know the good side. In the classes, you will hear all kinds of horrible senarious to prepare you for the worst, so you don't need the gen public telling you crap too.

I have no regrets, had a fairly easy placement, and never had to deal with vists, appeals, or any of that b.s. You are with a great, large county full of need. Good luck to you.

[carlnkristine]

we strictly want to adopt. do you know how hard that is to be done?

[JeepGal]

We had about 15 couples in our class, all but two were adopt only.

The process to get your license is the same.

Also, from my understanding, in Riverside County, children arent TPR'd until they have found an adoptive family. So the majority of the children are still at a legal risk.

Tam

[momof9wantingmore]

We adopted two of our children from Riverside county, they were placed with is as foster children and when it looked as if the case was going to adoption they asked us if we wanted to adopt them, of course we said yes!!! All families are licensed fost/adopt, we did not have to recertify as an adoptive home, but we did have to have an adoption home study done and have an adoption social worker. I think in Riverside, because of the way families are licensed, most kids are adopted by their foster parents, this is just from my experience. One thing about Riverside county is that they don't mess around, they are tough on bioparents and expect them to work their plan in a reasonable amount of time. Again this is just from my experience. I thought they were great to work with. All of my social workers had the kids best interests at heart.

[momof9wantingmore]

Also, the previous poster is correct, they will not TPR in riverside until they have the children in an adoptive home, so there is legal risk, sometimes visits to contend with etc.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by momof9wantingmore

I thought they were great to work with. All of my social workers had the kids best interests at heart.

i agree....i had fabulous experiences with riverside county! good luck to all those starting out!

we strictly want to adopt. do you know how hard that is to be done?

it happens. i know that even though many foster parents adopt their kids....many don't and they are always looking for good families.