[shainamsu]

we've inquired and sent in a homestudy for a child we saw on photolistings in another state. i've spoken with the caseworker. after i send in my homestudy, what's the process? could this take weeks, months, a year or more? we've never dealt with photolistings before.

also -- she's a three year-old who has been diagnosed with a life-threatening drug-related illness that has no cure. the social worker wasn't sure of her life expectancy, but said that she has seen it before and has had some cases live 20-30 years, but it was hard to say. she isn't allowed to disclose the condition for confidentiality reasons. does anyone have any idea what this could be? she said that she would have to take medications for life.

any help or thoughts would be appreciated. we are already foster parents in our home state and are in the process of completing the adoption classes as well.

thank you! i'm totally lost here!!

[MommyAlysia]

hmm, not sure. When you say 20-30 years it makes me think Cystic Fibrosis but I have never heard of that being drug related, and these days CF patients can live even longer than that. Or it could be HIV, I suppose. ETA, I don't know about the time process. Sorry!

[horselover58]

I wish I knew how long it takes. We are just completing classes for Foster to Adopt next week. We have had everything done, but can't get any info about the children we are interested in adopting. They are 13, 10 and 5. One in GA and two in Texas. I guess thats why there are 500,000 waiting children in the US system. Sorry I had to vent. Just wrote a letter to Obama asking him to change some legislation because I believe people who are wanting to adopt do not get taken seriously and /or it takes so much time and hassle, they get discouraged and give up. Not fair to all these kids who need a loving home / parent.

Originally Posted by shainamsu

we've inquired and sent in a homestudy for a child we saw on photolistings in another state. i've spoken with the caseworker. after i send in my homestudy, what's the process? could this take weeks, months, a year or more? we've never dealt with photolistings before.

also -- she's a three year-old who has been diagnosed with a life-threatening drug-related illness that has no cure. the social worker wasn't sure of her life expectancy, but said that she has seen it before and has had some cases live 20-30 years, but it was hard to say. she isn't allowed to disclose the condition for confidentiality reasons. does anyone have any idea what this could be? she said that she would have to take medications for life.

any help or thoughts would be appreciated. we are already foster parents in our home state and are in the process of completing the adoption classes as well.

thank you! i'm totally lost here!!

[shainamsu]

just to clarify, the little girl we want to adopt lives with other children in her foster home and is on track developmentally, but very small for her age. they said she's potty trained, learning to write her ABCs, is in a normal preschool class, etc. it's killing me trying to figure out what illness she has!

[athikers]

We brought our son home three months after we were matched... that is very fast, in my understanding. He was adopted five months later.

[joskimo]

I never got returned contact from out of state photolistings. I am currently matched to a boy that I sent an inquiry on from our state photolisting, that took 1 month for them to review and set up the first meeting. Idieally he'll be placed w/ us next month - roughly 3 months after we sent in our first contact. Adoption will be about 6 months after placement.

[Chancey]

My experience with photo listings is that you will be lucky to hear anything at all, most especially from out of state! Most states try to keep the children within the state as it is easier on the paperwork and for continuing benefits.

[horselover58]

Originally Posted by joskimo

I never got returned contact from out of state photolistings. I am currently matched to a boy that I sent an inquiry on from our state photolisting, that took 1 month for them to review and set up the first meeting. Idieally he'll be placed w/ us next month - roughly 3 months after we sent in our first contact. Adoption will be about 6 months after placement.

Wow thats great! Congradulations. Maybe I need to just stay inside the state. But I hate to have to do that. Why have an ICMP if they don't use it. I just don't understand. If it were me, I would definitely check out the people who inquire about these children, however, I would at least get them some information and try to set them up a meeting if they were at least half way through the class, had background check and fingerprinting etc.,

[plum93]

I would strongly guess she is HIV positive. This is almost exactly how I describe it when I present to foster parents.

[shainamsu]

we've discussed and are certainly prepared for an HIV positive child, i just am impatient and want to know as much as i can as soon as i can!

thank you all for your responses, it really helps to have some input. sometimes, you feel like you're wandering alone out there!

[chloroxsis]

I also think she is HIV positive. Of course, people are living longer with HIV now, so it's a good thing. She could also have AIDs, which is a different story.

I'm trying to get a little girl in the neighboring state. I thought it would be easy because the adoption agency is licensed in both states. Well, they really don't know my state that well. They are newly licensed. If, for any reason I am not matched to her, I will no longer consider out-of-state children. Too hard! Although I live two miles from the state she is in, it may as well be 2,000 miles!

Good luck! I'm so pleased you didn't let the child's medical issues stop you! It's already a big step!

[horselover58]

Originally Posted by athikers

We brought our son home three months after we were matched... that is very fast, in my understanding. He was adopted five months later.

Wow Ath, that is fast. I hear all different time limits. I think it depends on how efficient they are. I would at least like to be able to set up a meeting with the children.