[Alex-leigh]

We went through DSS office in Webster County to have our homestudy completed. We started the STARS classes (Greene County) in August and completed the Spaulding classes (Phelps County) in December. Approval of our homestudy has been held up awaiting the FBI background checks which are conducted using fingerprints. Our fingerprint cards were forwarded to Jefferson City at the end of October and the results were just returned in the past couple of days. Our homestudy should be signed off this week and licenses should follow shortly.

If you and the persons conducting the STARS classes are proactive and get the fingerprints submitted at the beginning of the STARS classes, it appears reasonable to have a completed homestudy and be ready for licensure (assuming no issues need to be resolved) in the time period it takes to get through the STARS and Spaulding classes.

While it is sometimes frustrating to work through the state agencies, the process can be completed in 3 to 4 months. You certainly can't beat the cost--free except for your time.

We have now gotten past the first, and maybe easiest, hurdle in our quest to adopt one or more older children. Wish us luck!

[want2adopt1]

Good luck in your adoption journey! My dh and I are trying to adopt through a private agency, but are looking into going through the state also. Shay

[honu]

Alex-leigh

Have you been matched with a child or children? We are near St. Louis waiting to be matched through Cherokee Nation for a sibling group of 2-3 kiddos ages 1-12. Most are looking to adopt an infant, so we often feel pretty isolated, but still get a lot of support from this board. If you're still waiting for a match are you anxious at all? What age children are you looking for? Have you done anything at home to prepare for them? I'm at home all this month and most of last month, so I've been pretty bored and of course this causes more anxiety about waiting, so sorry about the questions. I guess I'm just looking for someone else to relate to that is desiring the same thing we are. It is hard to come by around here and impossible in my local circle of friends and neighbors. Everyone I know has bio kids and has had them for some time. We joined the local RESOLVE group, but again the majority there are looking for infants. Anyway, sorry this turned into a pity party, I hope things are going well. Give us an update if you see this post and get a chance.

Anyone else out there waiting to adopt an older sib group? Anyone? Anyone? Is that an echo I hear?

[Alex-leigh]

Hi,
Yes we're anxious but trying to stay objective so we find the best possible fit for us and the kid(s). There are lots of kids out there so we know it is just a matter of time. We're looking for girls (1-3) between the ages of 9 and 16. We haven't been matched yet. We've been through one staffing and were close but... We did walk away from one set of sisters that was close but we didn't fit the elder girl's expectations. We're expecting another young lady we're interested in to have a staffing later this week. We haven't done much to prepare for the girls. We have lots of room and just need furniture. We thought we'd let the girl(s) pick that out. Hang in there!

[All Boys]

Wishing you all the best luck in the world...

We finished our HS in August of 2004, and have been waiting since then.. So you have to have alot of patience..

Good Luck!

[Indy]

They were 8 and 9 when I first met them. It took 14 months to get them home and 21 trips back and forth. At least they knew I was committed!