[2momsinGA]

Hello.
We completed a home study in February, and, because we were matched right away with two sisters, they labled the h.s. "Adoption." The match fell through, and, as we started to consider other matches, it occurred to us that we might ask to be placed in the "Foster-to-Adopt" category."

The cw told me today that two weeks ago they learned within a new training session that the system was going to a "Foster" OR "Adopt" system (eliminating the Foster-to-Adopt category). Of course, we stated that we'd like to stay in the "Adoption" category and prepare for a wait...

Has anyone else in GA (or elsewhere) heard about this change in categories?

Staff from our county also indicated that they were going to move to TPR faster as a rule rather than providing extensive services to bparents for a long period of time. I guess the change in categories goes along with this move to privilege permanency and reduce a child's time in fc.

It costs our counties a lot to provide those services and pay cws to monitor whether the bps are working their plans. This shift does seem to be more "child-centered" regarding permanency instead of "birth-parent" centered (regarding those who do NOT work the case plan successfully). Perhaps, the state's/county's budget and the children will win out with this set up...

Any thoughts?

[JustAntotherThought]

I'm not in GA, although I would question if Foster Parents still get the opportunity to adopt if no RU or no family or relative placement. I guess I am not getting why they wouldn't let foster parents appeal for adoption since we KNOW that the least number of times we move children the better it is for the children.

Something just doesn't seem right with their thought process.

[2momsinGA]

Originally Posted by JustAntotherThought

I

Something just doesn't seem right with their thought process.

Oh, the number of times I've thought and said this too!!

The fps would certainly have preference still on being able to adopt the child/children in their care, but, perhaps, they'd have to update their home study to the "adoption" category in that case.

In that sense, it would be more work for the cws in terms of updating home-studies.

WHO KNOWS!!!

[SavannahGirl]

I am in Georgia. I'm working with a private agency. When I submitted my original application approximately 2.5 years ago foster-to-adopt was an option. Shortly after that, the option was eliminated and I had to choose between foster and adoption.

[2momsinGA]

Hello.
If you're in Savannah (based on your screename), it might be that the change took a while to make it to my county.
Thanks for the info!