[1HappyMom]

Hi, Zee: I'm new to this, so if I do this wrong, forgive me. I am a foster-fost/adopt mom. Our home was open in April of 2003 and in May 2003 a 7 month old was placed with us. I'm thrilled to say that we finalized his adoption in July 2004. Then, in August 2004, his bio-bro was placed with us (at 5 days old) and we hope to be able to fast track his adoption (DYFS calls it piggy-backing it with our first son's adoption). Anyway, we were listed in the DYFS system as having two spaces for placement - one as foster and one as fost/adopt. The reason we did this is because we wanted 0-2 and a foster mom that I spoke with advised me to have at least one placement as foster. 75% of foster children become free for adoption by their foster parents. Therefore, if you open your home as foster, you have a better chance to have an infant placed with you. Fost Adopt is less risky (less of a chance of the child going back to the birth family), but, you may be waiting a long time for an infant. But, like I said, 75% is good odds that you'll end up with a child that you'll be able to adopt if you choose to. My newborn is still considered foster, but is supposed to be transferred to ARC very soon. Keep up a positive attitude. It will happen. It's just a matter of time before that perfect little person comes into your life and changes it for ever in a wonderful way.

[eightnotenough]

thank you so much for your post, Our family is getting close to finishing our classes and have been hopping back and forth as to if we should foster/adopt for foster - to adopt. I found your post very comforting. We are also looking for a child between 0-3.

Thanks