[keesluvrabby]

Hi!

I am Connie from Indianapolis, IN. I have just completed my foster/adoptive parents classes through the local CPS. I am waiting to hear from my CW as to when I can get my home study completed.

Right now I am wondering two things.

1st- I am needing a lawyer that works with CPS and they are no longer able to recommend one to me directly. Is there anyone on here that has gone through the state in Indiana (preferrably Indianapolis) and who was your lawyer? What were your likes and dislikes about your lawyer?

2nd- Animals are a large part of my life I have dogs (4)and cats (3) and a pet rat named Yetta. (Yes Rat!) My mom, who I currently live with and will continue to live with even after the adoption says that for the homestudy we should put some or all of the animals in the kennel. But my opinion is that they are family to and should not necessarily be in the room while the homestudy is going on but they should not have to be "locked up" in a kennel somewhere. Is there anyone who was denied a child through any agency or state because of animals in the house? I mean I realize that it will make it so that I can not adopt a child with allergies but would they really deny due to animals in the house? Especially well cared for and mostly well behaved (they have their moments) animals?


Is there anyone in the local area that can help? I would appreciate any help.

Thank you,

Connie the mommywannabe

[JC10]

It's important the CW know about your pets and probably meet them. Some children have traumatic animal experiences... (then there are some animals who have had traumatic child experiences), we lost 2 dogs after placement. Of course not all cases are the same as ours, but I'd think if the dogs are a part of your family, it's important they're a part of the home study as well. Having the animals inside wouldn't affect you here in CA as long as they're well kept?

[ajrl]

We are adopting in IN. We have a lawyer that specializes in adoptions. So far so good w/ him. He is supposed to be one of the best.

Also I would check out this website there are more lawyers in it for Indiana.

American Academy of Adoption attorney

http://www.adoptionattorneys.org/

You can search by state.

Andria

[ajrl]

yes Marci I am ABL Adoptions

Andria

[aMarylandfamily]

It is better for you to identify the animals in your home at the start of the homestudy process ... your worker will not necessarily be concerned with the amount but more the cleanliness and caretaking (and if you are like us ... one of the dogs will squat and pee in the middle of the room which he never did just as she rings the bell ... it was wonderful!!!) ... she will note in the homestudy the animals and their sizes and quirks (i.e. if you have one who is medically fragile due to age) so as to avoid having a child either afraid of or allergic to them.

And I'm sure you know this ... but your Mom has to meet all the homestudy requirements (physical, background checks, etc.) if she resides in the same house.

Keep asking questions ... the more you have the more you learn and the more you will know along the process - which can be wonderful but frustrating too!

[athena09]

I have 2 American Pit Bull Terriers, yes pit bulls! They are great family and kid friendly dogs. They have bad publicity, it is bad owners not bad dots. My SW met them the 1st visit and loved them but since then I do kennel them when she comes because they are hyper. I was worried of being turned away because of the breed but she told me as long as they haven't bitten or try to bite her it doesn't matter and they are up to date on shots.

[mommamarci]

I posted earlier but it was removed becuase I mentioned the attorney's name. I did not relaize I couldn't mention it. I thought I could say the name but not discuss him. Anyway I would be happy to give you my attorney's name. He is out of Indy. I am doing a private adoption and am not sure if he does foster care adoptions. If you are interested, send me a PM.

P.S. Welcome to a fellow Hoosier!!!

[taramayrn]

Marci yes you can say the name of the attorney, but that is all you can say.

[Papa D]

We have a wonderful golden retriever and a friendly persian cat, and our home study case worker probably spent her first five minutes of each visit lovin' on our dog. She said how well adjusted our pets are were indicative of the kind of house we keep and certainly helped our cause. I think the dog was actually mentioned in the home study, so if your pets are good ones, have them around!

[PaperPregnant]

I'm in Ohio, not Indiana, but our LSW told us to keep the animals out, just as they are normally. (We have 6 cats... LOL). The only time they recommend shutting them up is if the LSW has severe allergies. I would just ask her preference when you schedule your meeting. Best of luck!!

[Emster]

Just wanted to welcome Connie to the boards as another Hoosier aparent! If you have any quesitons please feel free to pm me.

[keesluvrabby]

Okay, first I want to say thanks for the help so far.

I learned so much in my classes and will continue to learn probably forever.

Second, I realize that my mom has to go through it all with me but what happens if for whatever reason she doesn't qualify but I do?

Here is the senario. I am trying to adopt an older girl 10-13 years old preferably (crazy right?) through foster care. I do not want to foster even though I realize it is considered fostering for the 6 or so months between placement and finalization. My mom is living with me for financial reasons (hers not mine) but is not in fantastic health. She is not necessarily dying tomorrow and she is not the "babysitter" just the grandma that lives here as I have other after school and summer care arranged. Are they going to turn me down for this reason alone? Now I am scared to even continue with it. I can move out until the adoption is final but I feel like that is deception as I will just move right back in once the judge signs off.


HELP again!!!!!

Connie the mommywannabe

[StorkWatcher]

Connie, Welcome from another Hoosier!

We were licensed to foster/adopt easily w/ 2 house dogs, an outdoor dog and farm animals. No problem, although I forgot to warn the first caseworker not to wear black pants, and our fluffy, white dog shed all over here! (BTW, we ended up adopting privately through an agency).

You must be honest w/ the CW from the beginning, and I think they'll understand about your mom and that it shouldn't be a problem (unless something comes up in a background check). If you haven't already visited this board, ask these questions on http://forums.adoption.com/forumdisplay.php?f=487

The IN foster/adopt people there are GREAT and can probably answer most of your questions.

[timni]

Just wanted to add another welcome!!!

[ajrl]

Connie:

I dont think you have anything to worry about. In our class (different state) we had a woman and her mother taking classes since everyone over the age of 18 in a houshold needs to go through the courses here in GA. Her mother was elderly and disabled herself. They too only wanted an older girl. They went through the classes together and were approved. I dont think that they will consider your mom as a major caregiver but she has to learn what the issues can be with a child coming in from foster care. The only way to do this is if she comes and participates in the classes. This way too if you both go to classes and your mom has serious issues and you know that you wont be able to handle a child from foster care it's better to learn now than down the road. It is an interesting journey that takes lots of love, patience and the ability to overcome many obstacles that both of you will face (you and the foster child).

DFCS always push foster to adopt as this is the main way to increase their alotment of foster families. They tend to discourage those of us that just want to adopt by telling us that it will be hard to find a child that is free and legally clear. There are children out there you just have to be persistent.

AJ