[missmonicaten]

I just started the long road to the adoption process. I already attended orientation and will begin MAPP classes this Saturday. I know Florida has many children available for adoption and thus I have chosen to give these children an opportunity first. Hopefully, I can provide a forever home to a little someone.

Can anyone tell me about their experiences with either Children's Home Society and/or Child Net? I would love to hear from you.

Thanks...Monica

[missmonicaten]

Hi All,
I am currently enrolled in MAPP classes and soon to begin my homestudy. I am trying to adopt one of the many "Waiting" children available in Florida. Has anyone here had success doing either a straight-adopt or foster-to-adopt in the state of Florida? What agency did you use? I would love to hear your stories.
Thanks...Monica (missmonicaten@aol.com)

[babyrn]

I am also looking for local agencies in the Orlando area. I feel a little overwhelmed with finding reputable agencies because the high cost and time you are investing in . If anyone in Orlando has any experiences with domestic , international adoption agencies or private lawyers I would appreciate any information.

[hipretty]

...I thought foster-to-adopt in the state of Florida, is now history. But I am sure someone out there knows better than I do. Hasn't anyone successfully adopted in the State of Florida???

Love & Light, Tee

[missmonicaten]

I originally posted the quote below in the "Foster Care to Adoption What is it Like?” forum:
“Hi all,

I am Monica and I live in Florida. I just started on the long road to the adoption process. I've done quite a bit of research on both international and domestic adoptions. Since I am looking to adopt a child up to the age of 5, I decided to give an opportunity first to a "waiting child" in my state.

I have attended a couple of MAPP classes so far. My original intent was to go into a straight adoption rather than foster to adopt. But the more information I receive in MAPP classes, the more I am considering the latter. In class we are being told that 80% of the children placed in the foster-to-adopt program result in actual adoptions. These statistics are promising, yet they seem pretty high to me. I am scared that if I do decide to go this route and have a child placed in my home, that I will be heart broken if he/she is taken away.

Please, I need your advice. What experiences have you all had relating to this subject.”

I’ve actually received many replies from people in different states. Unfortunately I have not received too much feedback on Florida.

If you are in Florida and have successfully adopted through the Department of Children and Families, please share your story with us. We would love to hear some words of encouragement or maybe even some that may force us to do a reality check. Thanks Again…

[Dizzysmamma]

Hey Monica. I'm new here too. We just made the decision to adopt and our orientation is 8/15 with the MAPP classes starting on 8/30. How has your experience been so far? Are you going through DCF or through a private agency? If not DCF, what decided you against them. If using DCF, how is it going?

Good Luck

Angela

[Victoria Lane]

Angela

Hi we're in Sarasota county and taking some classes we need starting on 8-16 what county are you from? We've taken most of our classes a few years ago but were unable to finish, so up-dating now. We're hoping to find a 2 to 6 year old, foster to adopt.
Victoria

[Dizzysmamma]

Hey Victoria. We're in Duval County. We are hoping to adopt a boy 3 - 8. We have a BS age 6. Good luck on the classes. I'm kinda dreading them. I hated school. lol

[Dizzysmamma]

Hey Victoria! I was just wondering how your classes are going? We had our orientation this last Monday. We think we're going to enjoy them. We met a woman there who has been in the Protected Foster Program, not sure I'm naming it right, for 26 years! One of the children she has now is the baby of a girl she had in her care several years ago. She really seemed like an awesome lady.

Angela

[Victoria Lane]

Hey Angila,

Sorry I haven't gotten back here. We lost our electricity in Charley and didn't get it back till yesterday. We went up to GA to wait it out and came home today. Our classes are fine but now will have to make up more because of the storm. Things are going well I just can't wait till things move a bit faster. Good luck with your classes. It really isn't like school so I think you;ll enjoy them. Let me know,
Victoria

[Dizzysmamma]

Hey Victoria! Well, we only have one class left. Its a make up for the day we lost due to Frances. We will be getting fingerprinted and having our background checks done then too. Ya know? I gotta say I'm kinda disappointed in the classes. It starts out that its a 12 week course. Well, Duval County is cramming 12 weeks of stuff into 7 weeks. I really feel like there is a lot of information that we're not getting. But because I don't know what's missing I don't know what to ask. IYKWIM /shrug Oh well. We're scheduled for our first home visit on the 1st of November. /fingers crossed I forgot to mention before that we are also looking for a 2 to 6 year old. We would like to find a little boy. Our son age 6 is very excited about becoming a big brother. lol

Angela

[Victoria Lane]

Hi Angela,
Great to hear from you congratulation on being so close to completion. Are you from the Key West area? We use to live there. My son was born there.
We are finished with our classes and all of our home study!!!! Our packet was sent out to be approved by the state on Wed. and our sw said we should have it back within a week.AND we have a potential placement! She's 6 years old and we're crazy in love with her. She has weekend visits with us. We're just waiting to hear the official date she can move in. Her TPR hasn't happened yet but it is moving towards it. So wish us luck. Well, I must go and cook some dinner but I hope to hear from you soon.
Victoria

[Dizzysmamma]

Hey Victoria. I was just wondering what was happening with the process to adopt your little girl? I hope things have proceeded smoothly for you. We just had our second home visit from the social worker. She now has to write up the report and send it off. She says it probably won't get sent until after Christmas so that means we are now playing the waiting game. This is the hardest part.

Good luck to you and yours.

[Victoria Lane]

Angela,

Hey sorry I forgot to post here. I'm glad your home study has come so far! I'll bet you;re looking forward to that being over!
Well, we do have great news. This was very good timeing for this post. Or little girl moved in with us on Friday! So we've got her home for the holiday's.

[Jennifriend]

Hello! I read the thread and wanted to let you know that there are others waiting too (misery loves company)! We're adopting from the state and have all our paperwork completed...just waiting for final approval. We have a little boy we're interestd in meeting. We heard about him at an adoption fair.

April 3 Adoption Orientation
July 31 Completed MAAPS Classes
Aug. 21 Homestudy visits completed
Nov. 5 Paperwork completed
?????? Approved