[excited2adoptsoon]

I had a fosterchild placement for one year. She was reunified with her mom and dad. What happens if her parents want me to have custody down the line? I somewhat forsee this being a possibility. So would this then be considered a straight private adoption and I'd lose all funding assistance, etc? Anyone know?

And just for the record, I'd do it without the funding in a heartbeat.

[ranoutofnames]

I'm not sure where you live the answer.

I know where I'm at I've run into a scenario similar to yours. They were not eligible for any subsidy because at the time of adoption the child was not IV-E eligible.

[excited2adoptsoon]

so ran, could you still adopt through social services? or does it become a private matter that needs to be done as a private adoption?

[BrandyHagz]

Yup, that's correct. If there is not an open case where the child is in the custody of the state and the parents are doing a direct parental placement - it's the same as adopting an infant from a domestic adoption agency.

You'll not only not qualify for any assistance - you'll also have to pay all legal fees and have a private adoption homestudy done.

Costs for those things depends on the area where you live.

[Sam-N-Tony]

My foster son has a much older brother, that was reunified after a year, 2 weeks later Dad brought him back to the CW and signed over his rights because his behaviors were unmanagable. He has still not been adopted but is a ward of the State. I know that even when r/u happens the CW are still involved for about 6 months after. I think they are still allowed to surrender and the child still qualify for the adoption stipend and medicaid.

[KelleyF]

Not sure of the answer to that,I'm assuming they would have to place the child back in custody, and then DCF would in turn give the child to you. I'm also wondering how the parents even know that you'd be interested in adoption. Did you mention it to them or did they ask you. If so, how do you go about mentioning it to them without them feeling insulted? Sorry to drift but your question just left me in that direction.

[excited2adoptsoon]

At the final reunification meeting (which all involved parties were at, including bios), I explained that if anything were to arise that I would want to make sure my former fosterdaughter was placed back with me. Last time she was removed she had to stay in a county group fostercare facility and that broke my heart...she was there for 2 months. ugh.

The bios and I have an unusually good relationship now. Former FD comes over several times a month and she still calls me mommy, yet her parents act like they don't care...they say "ohhh how cute". Dad even made a joke "you can have her" or "you wanna buy her off us". He acts as if he's kidding but I think there's a lil' truth to it. Mom had lost 3 kids years and years ago and they've been adopted by other families.

I told the bios that we are continuing to foster and we will until we adopt a child (not necessarily their child) but they know how much we love her and I'm sure they'd want her with us if they gave her up. They seem to really like us (possibly taking advantage of us in some ways - like free babysitting).

[GRGFOR2]

Ahhhhhhhhh........I do hope that if something occurs that you do get this child back. I do hope that the little things that the bios have said "you can have her" or "you wanna buy her off us" are not forerunners to
"how much you willing to pay to get her back?" since 3 other children in the past have been adopted out.

I would be documenting the comments if you can recall the dates and all the "free babysitting" times that you have the little girl as a just in case you need them.

My adoption of the two boys I have was private and once it was done I was on my own...without medicaid or adoption subsidies. They do get a small check on my SS Disability.

[Dmommab]

with this (we are in Ohio) is that the bio parents made me legal guardian until the child is 18 in court. The magistrate made it VERY clear to them that once they made me legal guardian they couldn't come back & "get her" on a whim. She was mine until she turned 18 & the only way they could get her back would be to prove me an unfit mother. There is no cost to you to do that however you would not get any subsidy or medical insurance or anything like that. Then if you wanted to you could go thru the court system & legally change the child's name for a LOT less cost than adoption. My biggest fear (and caseworkers have agreed with me) is that if the parents "returned the child to the system" something "odd" could happen & the child wouldn't come back to you & there would be nothing you could do. good luck & if you want to PM me I'll be glad to answer any questions if I can.