[ChasingRainbows]

Hi,

DH and I are begining the adoption process and wanted to say hi to our fellow marylanders ! Well hi to everyone but it would be nice to know our neighbors. I am finding Maryland is a lot different from other states when it comes to adoption.

Anyone have any thouhts on that?

[athena09]

Hi, I am in MD!! I am just starting this whole process. What agency are you going through and what age are you looking to adopt?

[Lorraine123]

Hey. I'm also in Maryland!!!!

[ChasingRainbows]

I am so silly, I did not even see the Maryland forum.

DH and I were considering a few private agencies, and DSS but after a few opportunities that we decided against we think we are going to pursue private/independent adoption. We have been researching for about a year and decided to go full steam ahead two months ago.

One issue we are not to sure about right now is the homestudy. We thought we had a match a week ago, and were told we didn't need to proceed with a HS. After deciding not to go through with it. Too many red flags, we called the agency we wanted to go with and come to find out they might be closing their doors. Not sure what to do now. I have heard you can hire a SW but not sure about how to go about that either.


We have lots of friends and family in PA and I would hate to have to pass up an opportunity because of the HS issue.

Nice to meet you both.

[aMarylandfamily]

... in Maryland are you? ... a Homestudy is required for all adoptions ... even by family members adopting other family members ....

Best wishes on this journey!

[ChasingRainbows]

I should clarify, we were told that the HS needs to be complete before finalization not placement unless you go through ICPC. Then it must be done before placement.

Most states require pre-placement HS's

[athena09]

DH and I are going through DSS since we are trying to adopt from the foster care system.

[ContactChar]

I live in Virginia, but am also looking in Maryland. What part of Maryland are you in? I would recommend contacting Families For Private Adoption (www.ffpa.org) for assistance. FPA is a volunteer support organization in the DC, MD, VA area for people who are pursuing or have pursued an independent adoption. Also, as far as homestudies go, if you pm me, I can tell you the name of an agency that a lot of people use for homestudy only (when doing international or private adoption). I didn't use them because I'm doing both agency and private, but if all you need is a homestudy, they might be what you're looking for.

Char

[daisy girl]

Hi Neighboors!
I also live in Maryland. We are pursing domestic adoption (transracial at this time). Most of the home study paperwork is completed waiting on the FBI reports to come back and to schedule some home visits but hoping to be complete by the end of May.

Meadopting - Hi! I my attorney said that Maryland is one of the most particular especially on the home study requirements. I guess that is good since we will be covered in most other states.

How long has it taken most of you to complete your home study?

Daisy

[athena09]

Daisy - Hello! Where abouts are you in MD? My home study has taken about 2 months thus far. I started Feb 1st, that was our 1st orientation class. We don't start our PRIDE classed till April 24 though and that is 8 weeks. We are getting a preliminary/provisional approval though, the little girl we are trying to adopt (friend's niece) is going to permanency court in the beginning of May. We won't be done classes so they are giving us the provisional approval in order to be reviewed by the panel.

[DominicsGirl]

I'm so glad to see a bunch of Marylanders here! I'm in Maryland as well. I live in Washington County, in western Maryland. We are a transracial family and are in the middle of our post-placement visits before finalization.

[ChasingRainbows]

Hi Daisy Girl!

It appears as though it will be a total to 2 months to finish my HS...although depending on the fingerprinting it may take longer we are told there is no deffinite time frame. We are told HS are only good for a year so we are not really in a hurry to rush the final date.

We are open to considering any race, and some limited disabilities. I seems like it is taking forever but on the other hand I think aparents need adequate time to prepare just like parents who are pregnant so it is not hard to be patient. We know it will happen when it is supposed to.

We are considering PRIDE training and foster to adopt...and have not ruled that out while we also network on our own. I have several siblings who were adopted through DSS. I think it is a great way to build your family but not right for everyone.

[Bearcat4444]

Welcome from another Marylander, currently on the Eastern Shore not too far from Annapolis.

Have 3 foster kids, TPR signed last week, adoption process to start soon. Kids age 3,4,5; were 1,2,3 when they arrived. I have LOTS to say about working your way through the process of getting appropriate services for your kids as we had to fight tooth and nail to get them for ours.

Happy to share or answer any questions that might help.

Good Luck!

[Cain0515]

I'm from maryland and my daughter in law works for an adoption agency were she screens prospective parents. Do you find Maryland a good place to apply or not?

[sak9645]

I live in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

I was living in DC when I adopted from China, so I did my readoption there. I have since learned that Maryland is actually easier than DC when it comes to readoption.

Sharon