[tondy24]

We are just starting to look into adopting #2. We did adoption #1 while living in CA, but now we live in IL so I am not totally familiar with the laws here. I am having trouble finding the answers to my questions, so I am hoping you can help. Here they are:

#1 Can we use a facilitator? We are already signed on with a facilitator in CA from our previous adoption. I am nervous that IL law won't let us use her and we already have a lot of money tied into it.

#2 Can adoptive parents advertise (ie. newspaper, online, etc)?

#3 What is the licensing process I am hearing about? Do we have to take the full 27 hour pride training? If so, do we still have to do this even though we have adopted before?

#4 This one is not a question. If you have any recommendations for a homestudy agency or an agency/attorney in general to use, please pm me. I would love suggestions.

Thanks so much!

[gigigeorge]

In 2003 we adopted our son from Illinois and at that time we used a facilitator for the match, and an attorney for placement. But I do think they have undergone some law changes and I remember reading that you could not use a facilitator but I am not sure...

good luck & feel free to PM me with any questions...

gina.

[tondy24]

Thanks Gina!

Anyone else know about facilitators in IL???

[lambeausam]

There was a house bill that went into effect in 2005 that allows the use of a facilitator only if they are an adoption agency licensed in Illinois. You may want to do a search on Illinois statutes to get the exact wording.

Good luck and welcome to Illinois!

Sam

[Eponine]

We live in IL and the licensing is through DCFS (Department of Child & Family Services). Our "licensing agent" is our adoption agency caseworker who did our homestudy.

You only have to do the full PRIDE training if you will be doing foster care or fost-adopt. In our case, pursuing a private adoption, we had to do training but it was ..... 9 hours worth, I think that we did online instead of going to PRIDE.

I don't know if your "license" from CA is transferrable or not. You might contact your local DCFS office and see if you have to go through the whole process or not (www.state.il.us/dcfs/).

We are using an agency, I don't know anything about facilitators or the difference (agency v. facilitator) but we live in a small town downstate so our access to adoption professionals is pretty limited any way.

I believe you can advertise - we are doing so through our agency, but I have seen ads in local papers, etc. from individauls or couples.

[Linny]

We live in IL and have for most of our lives. We've adopted many times, with the last three being within the last six years. (Private agency adoptions)
My understanding of the law is that facilitation is not legal......as it would seem that anyone connected to an agency would not be a 'facilitator' by the same definition one might use in CA, KWIM?
However, you can find many attorneys in IL (Quad A ones) who DO network with agencies and others to find possible situations.
DCFS does handle the PRIDE classes, but in IL, private agencies can 'plug-into' these classes as well. (I agree that the hours are not as long as those who wish to foster.)
There are several agencies and attorneys who can help in finding a situation for you.....and advertising in the papers is often done. It IS possible to adopt a baby WITHIN IL without a license............such as if you were to work strictly with an adoption attorney. The license IS necessary though, whenever you wish to cross state lines.

I can also tell you should you choose to cross state lines in finding a baby, Illinois ICPC is VERY quick in comparison to many other states.
If you'd wish to have a list of a couple of agencies/attorneys in IL, please pm me and I'll be happy to send them to you.

Sincerely,

Linny