[caligirltt]

I have my adoption committe on April 27th. I will be the only family presented, The baby is a family member. What should I expect at this? This was cancelled once, because they weere missing a paper. So we are now rescheduled. If anyone has gone threw this let me know what it is like and what I should do to prepare. I have already made scrapbooks and ect. But questions they ask and stuff like that.

thank you

[aMarylandfamily]

Oregon generally doesn't convene their "committee" presentations until they have three families to present ... however, this being a family placement may be the difference/reason they are convening same with only one to present.

This presentation is usually a show of each family's strengths, their scrapbook or video and the social workers "speech" of why each is capable of raising the child. Questions are presented by the committee members to the social workers or family if present - such as "how would family A or family B meet the following need identified by the therapist and/or foster family, any outside "witnesses" speak (such as if the child is in a certain program the director may present a recommendation to place a child within reach of it for consistency and continuation) and a vote is taken and placement is awarded.

It only becomes complicated for the "presenters" when two or three families all meet the child's needs and they have to rule why one is better able to meet the child's needs than another which is not your case ... so relax and enjoy and keep us posted... you will be in this board's thoughts and prayers!

[missw005]

At least you're the only one being presented - less competition is always good!!!
We went to committee for my youngest son Q, who was 1-1/2 at the time.
We sent several sets of family photo collages (color copies, so everyone in the room could have one), brochures from the chamber of commerce (we're a big tourist area) and a homemade video I made with my mom...
Although that was apparently pretty funny, as it was a friend's camera and I didn't know I had the sound on when we were driving around town...so you could hear my mother and I arguing the entire time, once she rolled through a stop sign, then she turned too sharp and I bonked my head on the window, several other mishaps, I was told the entire committee was rolling (lol, lol, lol).....
then I taped our house inside and out and interviewed my son J,. who had some really interesting answers (lol again). I also sent some reference letters from a few people - the mayor of our town, a guy I used to work for, just some not-so-typical people (not friends or family) just to add humor (as if it needed more) to the proceedings.
In fact, when the committee called me after the meeting (to tell me I'd been chosen) , they were on speakerphone, and they were still laughing.
It was pretty funny.
And one of the best days of my life!!!
Have faith, though, you'll do just fine.
Good luck, I'll be thinking of you.
Sandy

[tntwalker]

I hope it went well in committee!!!!!!!!!! I'm still waiting to hear something from Oregon. With Oregon only wanting worker to worker contact it is so hard to get imformation. I have learned by accident because the worker in Oregon sent me a email that was to go to my worker. I now know what county my daughter is in Oregon. The workers name and number but I'm affaid to call her or email her I might mess it up by breaking the rules. She did say in the email that we are still being considered. I have also learned that there has been 7 home studies sent in but that was before they ran her a couple weeks ago also in the Portland Oregon paper like they didn't already have enough home studies!!!! I work in Oregon but live in Washington so when I saw her picture in the paper I was like really sad because I think that they must not have the home study they want. They said that they will set committee closer to the end of school. This is so hard I don't know how people go thru it more then once!!!!! Any advice from someone who has gotten thru it?