[CLD]

Hi all! My husband and I are waiting for a baby AA girl. We have just moved from FL to MI and must basically start the process all over again. Our first home study was completed 12/04.

I have visited this forum several times in the past year but did not join until today.

Today I am feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the waiting and homestudy update process. The Florida laws were so different. We were told that our baby would be just a few days old when she came home and the birth mom signed over parental rights. In Michigan, we are told that the period is 4-6 weeks. Meanwhile, our potential infant will be held in a 'Host Home'. I have so many questions about what this host home situation. We have only had an intial meeting with our agency. Anyone have experience with this type of process?

Thanks!

[cakegirl]

Hi CLD, and welcome to the forum! I can't share any specific stories with you, as I'm in Australia and am adopting internationally, but I wish you and your husband a smooth transition to Michigan and I hope you have your baby soon!

[sherryk]

Hello CLD!

Welcome to the forums. I can understand your frustration with the "system," especially since you basically have to start over. A "host home" is basically like a foster home - a licensed home to take care of infants between birth and placement. I do wish you well and would love to hear all about your journey to adoption.

Blessings,
sherryk
host

[bromanchik]

The baby could come home with you, MI has direct placement, but it would be an "at-risk" placement. In MI parental rigts are terminated in court, that is why it takes so long.

The "Host Home" is basically foster care set up by this agency. The new mom also has the legal option of taking her baby home with her until the papers are signed. She is still the legal parent until she goes to court. Although I would be highly surprised if the agency you are working with told her that or supported that decision.

Can I ask who you are working with? You can e-mail me privately. I live in MI and know the MI system pretty well.

[Dee1234]

I also live in Michigan. In addition to doing our home study, our agency also required us to be licensed as a pre-adoptive foster family. This allows us to bring a baby directly home from the hospital before the birth parents' rights are fully terminated.

All we needed to do for the foster license is complete some training, have our home inspected by our social worker and fill out paperwork.

I know I certainly wouldn't want my potential child in another home for a month or more, so I'm glad our agency includes foster licensing for all pre-adoptive families.

Hope this helps! Good luck to you!