[ShellyandRon]

I'm looking for an e-pal in Alabama to chat with on adopting through foster care. I've just started the process. I'd love some input on what steps I'll be taking and the whole nine yards. I just filled out the paper work. I've been told this is really easy and to make sure that the child I'm going to adopt is legally free.

[Dottie4k]

I live in Alabama and am adopting through foster care. I have been a foster parent for about three years now and my adoptions should be finalized this summer. I would be glad to try and answer any questions that you may have.

[ShellyandRon]

We are finished now with our classes and homstudy. We've only got the CPR/First aid class to do and the social worker will turn it all in about a month she says. So, how long does it take for them to match you with a child? I've read some things in these forums that it's taken some couples 2 years. They must have been really picky. I don't know. But we are not. Any advice would be wonderful.

Thanks

[greenberry]

we had our foster children for 2yrs and have finally received tpr on the parents. now that they are legally free we were told everything should be finalized by dec.
we started out as foster parents. our kids are now 11 and 12. your chances to adopt older chlidren are better in alabama but you still might have a wait. there never was a chance in them going back father in prison and mother zapped from drugs. we could not figure out why it took so long for tpr. now we are playing a waiting game with dhr worker to do paper work. i would suggest before signing the letter of clearence for adoption you get in writing what subsudies you require for your child
(like medicaid or even college funds as children over 9 are intitled to). good luck!

[ShellyandRon]

Where in Alabama are you from? We are south of Jackson, AL. The ages that we are wanting are 0-10. One girl, a girl and boy, or 2 girls. But are willing to go higher on the age if the sibling is older. How long does it take for the state to match someone? We haven't even thought about subsidies because we don't even have a match yet. I heard Alabama has a lot of children in foster care. We are dealing with Alabama first and I'm not sure how long we should wait before we should go outside of the state. Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. One step at time. I'm just wondering how fast they are at the main office. If there a child or children of the ages we are wanting. We understand the risk and what we are about to face. Thanks for responding to my post.

Shelly

[ShellyandRon]

One more thing. What is this letter of clearance for adoption you are talking about? Is this something you get when you get a child or before?

[Hunter's Mom]

Hi - I am in Alabama also. Do you plan to foster or strictly adopt? That makes a difference in time frames. BC most of the time (at least in our county), once a child is freed for adoption, the foster family has decided to adopt. We have 2 girls that will be going to TPR this fall & we are not planning to adopt & everyone is treating us like we are from another planet.
If you are willing to take the risks associated with fostering & truly feel able to work with bio families, that is usually the "quickest" way to adopt, so we have been told.
K was placed with us in May of 2004, her TPR was done in July 2005 & she still has not been officially "placed" with us - she has not even moved to the placement unit yet. We have friends whose kids were placed in their home 2 weeks after K, TPR was done in December 2004 & the kids have just recently moved to the adoption unit (in July) & have not yet officially been changed to an adoptive placement.
Those last few steps take so long in our county.

Christy

[ShellyandRon]

Christy,

Where in Alabama are you from? I'm a little south of Jackson, AL. We are adopting through foster care only. It's good to hear from someone in this state. So, you are a foster parent? I'd love to chat with you in more detail to see what exactly what the state offers. I love this state and have faith that they have the child for me. My social worker is so devoted and sweet. Like I had said before, this is this counties first adoption. So, I know that they want to see this through as much as we do.
Anyway, thanks for answering my post. I hope to chat with you more.

Shelly

[ShellyandRon]

We have gotten everything done and our social worker is going to be sending everything off to the state. Everything is going so wonderfully. I couldn't be happier with the way that DHR has helped us and they have always been there for us for anything. It won't be too long now before the state calls us about placement. I can't wait.

[Hunter's Mom]

Sorry I have not e-mailed you (lost your e-mail addy when my computer got a virus). Besides, we have an extra couple of kids - we are going crazy around here.

Our cw hopes to have K's file ready to move to the placement unit by the end of the month!!!! YEA!!!!!! Then it will sit in the placement office to wait there since we just lost a placement worker. She is not going anywhere, but I would like to finalize the adoption before she learns to spell her name since we are changing the spelling.

The girls that were supposed to go to TPR this fall are not back in active reunification. About the time that dh & I had decided that we do want to pursue adoption of them as well, we got the news that the therapist will not support TPR. AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Anyway, I am glad you are having a good experience & that things are moving smoothly for you!!!!!

Christy