[jwdcreations]

We had our first home visit last night. It went great! Our worker is terrific and was very helpful. (Background-we'll be on class 4 of our PS-MAPP classes this week, we're looking to adopt and possibly foster.) We feel pretty good about how things are progressing and enjoy learning about the whole process.

Now for the freak-out. You have probably heard about the Jetseta Gage story this past week and whole sex-offenders registry info. Well, I just looked it up and checked out our zip code. There is a pervert (sorry, I have a no-excuses, zero tolerance stance on this issue!) 2 HOUSES DOWN from us!!!! I have lived here for three years and the house in question was sold and new people moved in last year. I have no clue if the guy is actually one of the new people or has moved out. I am so freaked right now! I don't know what to do....

We are hoping to adopt a child under 4 and they will definitely NOT be let outside alone even though we have a privacy-fenced in back yard. And dang...there is a middle school less than 2 blocks away, the high school about 10 blocks away, and an elementary school about 10 blocks away. Not to mention several children in the neighborhood. I was thrilled when we moved here because we were in walking distance of all of the schools...I loved walking to & from school. Our child would have to go by this house to get to the elementary & high school.

What do I do now???? When should I call our worker? This weekend or Monday? I can't believe this is happening! I can't even think right now. I feel like I should run screaming down the street warning the neighbors....

I haven't even talked to my DH about this. I just now this minute found out the info. DH & I were talking about this issue this morning and how the Iowa congress is talking about having email notification when there are new offenders registered. He said he didn't want to sign up for that because he didn't want to live in fear. I tried to explain that it isn't living in fear but knowing what and where the dangers are. He kept to his position.

Thanks for getting this far. I think I'll go work on our scrapbook & other class stuff and try to forget about the cold, cruel world that is intruding on me right now....(Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic..)

[aMarylandfamily]

I don't know that your worker needs to be told of this "news" ... your homestudy and approval of children joining your family through foster or adoption is based on your ability to care for and protect them ... and it seems like you have all that in check. Usually neighbors are informed via us mail so maybe it was the person who moved out ... many times those lists are not up to date! A friend of ours has a sex offender who lives on her street and the day she moved in - she and her german sheppard walked up, introduced herself and informed him she knew and that the german sheppard would eat him alive if he even looked at one of her kids ... he's still living there (without any problems) and respects the neighbors dislike ... as long as you know, you monitor and you never give a chance for anything to happen, all should be fine.

Hope this helps.

[DiamondzR]

I am so glad you checked the website. Now you are informed. The worker also should have that information available to her. amarylandfamily was right on the money when she said that you do not have to be the one to inform the worker. When she comes back to do the second part of your home study you can tell her that you found the information. She should be impressed that you are really looking out for the welfare of the future foster child. Great Job Mom!!!

[DiamondzR]

one more thing... is Tanya Keith your home study worker?

[jwdcreations]

Our worker's name is Tina something. She's from Tanager place.

[IowaGirl515]

That's our CaseWorker too!! :-) She's awesome!

[Ms. Jackie]

I would love to say that you are the only person living near a sex offender, but it simply is not true. Try looking up some of your friends and family who do not live near you to see what I mean. The thing is, you KNOW there is a sex offender near you, so now you can behave accordingly. You are now armed with information. The scary thing is when people do not know that there is a sex offender in the neighborhood and let their kids run amock. Don't let this freak you out, just let it guide your househodl rules and vigilance.

[Beccayinn]

Personally, I assume any and all people are potential sex offenders. You would be foolish to think that all are listed in a registry. I would suspect only a small minority have even been arrested. So, whether or not this person moved out, the odds are astronomical that your kids will be walking past a perverts house to get anywhere.

Maybe I am alarmist, but I would rather assume the worst and take necessary precautions than be ignorant of reality and put an child at harm. Innocence cannot be restored.

I applaud you for wanting to do the best for you future kids, just making the point that it is probably never hunky dory anywhere and the registry lists give only a general idea. Though they easily validate that there are predators in every neighborhood.

I just thought that it is even scarier to think that probably only the most foolish are the ones arrested. The truly 'gifted' at their vice, and therefore the most dangerous and the most educated would have the least chance of being caught. Ugh.

[jwdcreations]

Our state has a 2000 foot restriction for child sex offenders that has been reinstated. They cannot live within 2000 ft of a school or registered daycare. I have 3 schools within that area near our house. And yes, the pervert has moved--or at least he is not listed as living at the address anymore. Our state has begun cracking down on them and making sure they are complying.

Even the small towns and some larger cities are enacting further restrictions. They cannot live withn 2000 ft of parks, libraries, and swimming pools. A town next to us just recently arrested an offender because he wouldn't move to comply with the restrictions. He had been given multiple notices and assistance to move and didn't. He's now in jail.

I know that these restricitions don't remove all of the danger, but at least it is a start.