[rangebob]

I've been researching adopting a boy for a while now. I finally decided to go for it and I called the florida 800 phone #. They sent me to the Orlando DCF when I called them they informed me that the state privatized and I would have to call another group. That group says that they have nothing to do with adoptions they are a PI group that deals with foster parents.

Does anybody know who I need to call in the Orlando area to start the entire process for adoption? I have a ton of phone # for the state and the DCF and was going to try to call every one of them and see what other types on #'s they will give me to call. It is really sad that they are really looking for adoptive parents but you can't even find out who we are suppose to call to start anything.

Thanks for any help.

[rangebob]

Well I got the ball rolling again. There is a group that is moving into the Central Florida area that hasn't opened it's doors yet but will start to take referrals on Monday the 28th and will open on July 1. They have all my information and just need to await a phone call from them. This organization is the state approved primary orginazation for Orange County.

I've spoken with another group that will be approved as a secondary as of October and they have signed me up for an orientation class. They said that for now they will charge my but after a child is placed with me the $ would be refunded.

I guess my question is do you think I should wait for the new state approved orginization to open its doors or just use the services of the existing group in the Orlando area. The existing group has the contracts for Osceola and Seminole counties.

[Annie6]

I'm not from Florida but I would think that if you called your County DCF office and told that you want to become a foster parent they will have you signed up.

With the need of foster parents for older and harder to place children they will more than likely help you out.

I personally would try a private agency such as Lutherns or Catholic Charities or some group like that and they will do all your background and training normally for no charge.

Try all your other options so you don't pay.

Annie6

[rangebob]

About a year or so ago the state privatized everything. It has been rolling out between the counties and it has gotten to us just as I decided to start everything going. That is the reason that everything is in shambles right now in the Central Florida area. DCF no longer handles adoptions or foster parents. They are going out to private groups and the state will pay them for their services. I think I will wait for the new group that is in charge of Orlando and let them provide their services without me putting any cash out front.

[Annie6]

Thank you for your informaion. We have that here also but it's shared with DCFS. Which my friends who are with DCFS get faster and many more placements than those of us with private groups. I plan to check out some foster groups in Florida when we come down this July. Want to get some ideas if we want to transfer our foster license or just drop it. It has been several years since we have had placements. In our state they have decided that staying with famliy is the way to go and to keep them in the same schools and neighborhoods that their famliy live in. One day there will be a big lawsuit in which a child will try to sue the state for not being responsible I'm sure.

Looking forward to see what your state has to offer.

Annie6

[ljw]

Hi,
I am currently working with Seminole County. I have a child as a pre-adoptive placement right now. I worked with Orange county first so I have been given a new number for Orange county since they are going private I don't know if it will help you or not. 407-398-7975. Also you may want to contact One Church One Child they recruit people to adopt. http://www.ococfl.org/ Hope this is help. Good Luck