[Betelnut]

An interesting article about foster care adoption was in the Washington Post last week. They actually ran it on two separate days.

What do you think?

Jeff Katz - Adoption's Numbers Mystery - washingtonpost.com

[wellnow]

I tend to agree with the author...there is a lot of "interest" in adoption but not many people want to deal with the system(not to mention the lengthy waiting period)...even those who have adopted sometimes have to go back and deal with the system to get extra services, subsidies, etc..

While I do understand the need for such scrutiny, there has got to be a more efficient way to do this to bring families together quicker...

The agency in Florida that took fingerprints at the first meeting did sound as if it were coming on a little too strong...while some people may have their minds made up to pursue adoption, when you are faced with "reality", it can scare you off...

Interesting....

[Betelnut]

Yes, I thought it was amazing how many people expressed interest in adoption but how few follow through, partly because of the bureaucracy.

We all know that it is a hard row to hoe.

[shy_bear]

I totally understand why they need rules when adopting; a lot of these kids have been through some VERY rough things. They need to make it more about getting good families in vs. weeding out the bad.

[wellnow]

Originally Posted by shy_bear

I totally understand why they need rules when adopting; a lot of these kids have been through some VERY rough things. They need to make it more about getting good families in vs. weeding out the bad.

I understand as well but there needs to be a better process in place to get people screened sooner (while their interest is at its peak)...there needs to be a nice balance involved so that they don't have potential wonderful parents walk away out of frustration!!! jmo

[GoddessDanu]

I agree with the author. The numbers don't make sense. I think there needs to be a MAJOR overhaul in the DHS system that will allow them to be much more receptive to people looking to adopt foster kids. DH and I are going through the system right now and we had to cut ties with DHS and go through a private agency because DHS was just so darn rude!

If anyone is living in Oregon and hoping to adopt through the state, please know that even if you go through a private agency the state will pay for the whole thing. They're trying to eliminate barriers so that more people will adopt foster kids.