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Originally Posted By Gail

My husband and I tried adopting a child working with the Tennessee Dept of Human Service. We were given a lot of promises that never happen. Now, we are having a homestudy through a private agency. If we can afford in we hope to adopt internationally. Beware when believing what you are told through the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

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Originally Posted By Becky

My husband & I are actually already in the process of working through our homestudy with Tennessee DHS. What kind of things did you encounter in your work with them?

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Originally Posted By Michelle

I used to be a Foster mother in Ohio, we were a foster to adopt family. I encountered the same things you are talking about. Lots of promises, nothing happens. They have books and books and books of kids that need adoption and when you get to them they are never available anymore. I think the social workers drag their feet on contacting the other agencies and so forth. It is very frustrating. In TN, try Miriam's house or Miriam's way it may be. If you don't mind inner-racial and 0-5 years old (so I am told anyway). Good luck all!

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Originally Posted By Sue

Recently completed our home study through the state of Tn. We encountered delays in home studies - last minute cancellations on 3 out of 4 visits. Phone calls are not being returned; then when I do reach our counselor, she is always "on [my]way out the door" with a promise to call me back. She never does.

Condridictory information.

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Originally Posted By Gail again

I'm so sorry that everyone else has had problems with Tennessee Human Services. I wish there was something we could do to solve this problem. There are a lot of children that need help but the system keeps these children from being placed in good homes. I get so upset everytime I think about how my husband and I were treated by the State of Tennessee. I thought maybe it wa just our county.

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Originally Posted By Sue

We find it very frustrating to hear that the process should only take six months; and that strict guidelines are being enforced to prevent children from getting lost in the system. Then we hear of families who are waiting months -even years for their baby/child -yet the state employees recruiting personnell to seek out potential resource parents. This doesn't make sense. Even more alarming is to be told by counselors prior to home studies not to paint a "picture perfect" lifestyle because it "red-flags" the selection committee. Then when you present your human mistakes -from years ago, issue is taken.
And then to be told that single fathers and same sex marriages prove to be more sucessful than husband/wife teams. Are we to be penalized for being a normal, happy and healthy couple?

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Originally Posted By Debbie

What county are you in? We are in Williamson County and are looking into adopting thru the State.

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Originally Posted By Becky

I am in Davidson County. I actually live in Antioch. We are going through the Center for Adoption.

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Originally Posted By Debbie

Becky,
Are you doing a foster/adopt or adopt? When did you get started? What does the time frame look like?
Who did you talk to there; everytime I call I get a machine!?
Thanks,
Debbie

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Originally Posted By Sue

Davidson

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Originally Posted By Sue

Same thing with us. We are only getting machines; then during the rare times we get a voice, they are always in a hurry - or handling a crisis.

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Originally Posted By Laurie

I am sorry to hear that such a large club is forming. I too have had terrible difficulties with TN state adoption. I took time off from work only to have the case worker not show up at all - no phone call even. I complained to Senator Thompson's office and they sent a letter to Children's Services - they still didn't care.

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Originally Posted By Debbie

Has anyone gone thru the classes and homestudy yet? If so how was it and how long did it take?
I'm debateing whether or not to get a private homestudy done and adopt form another state.

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Originally Posted By Becky

We are "trying" to adopt. we started June 1999. Whenever we ask for a time frame they tell us it is impossible to guess. The phone # to the Center is 615-253-3289.They are rather nice, they just dont seem to be in a real big hurry.

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My husband and I did the classes and are finishing up the homestudy. The classes were I night a week for 3 hours and for 10 weeks. They weren't too bad. Just rather long. One way to look at it is- the homestudy through the state is free. it was good for us because we couldn't afford the $1000's private centers want.