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Originally Posted By Lisa

How long does it take to get through the application and homestudy for a older special needs child?

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Originally Posted By Cheryl, MS

My experience is based on dealing with DHS. On the average from the time you request an application, attend the parenting classes, go through the homestudy and get approval of your home for placement of a child is about 6 months. That seems like a long time but during that time the social worker is working on several applicants / homestudy along with yours. And if an "emergency" placement comes along she/he will stop and work it and then resume yours.

We have waited 18 mos for the first placement, although we were offered three separate children during that time that we rejected based on their history. The second time we waited about 6 months. We usually tell our social worker what type child we want next while we are still at the judges chambers finalizing the current adoption. It was two two years between the last two placements. The first one through DHS was an older 4 year old. The second one through DHS was an 17 1/2 year old. Our first child was special needs through a private agency. Expenses for him were about $3,000.00 total. He was their first special needs placement and they were matter of fact with us in saying they had no idea what to charge! They knew he needed to be placed fast and only charged us the basic admin fee of $1,200.00. The balance went to reimburse foster care for two months service and the other agency in our state that did our homestudy. Remember DHS State facilities are free private agencies charge prices that can be really high considering the fact these are special needs children. Also, you stand a better chance of subsidies for these children should they need medical care throughout their older childhood years into adulthood if you use DHS. Private agencies severe relations when the adoption is final unless you can prove and negotiate subsidies for the future based on what you know the child will need based on their condition. Good luck, it is not nearly as difficult as it seems.

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Originally Posted By Lisa

Thanks for the info Cheryl. We are also going through DHS. Do you have any suggestions for us and things to watch out for or check. We are very new at this.