[crick]

Originally Posted by bange

Thanks, that is very helpful.

So do the families usually only find out more details about the child AFTER they are selected? Or upon submitting their homestudy?

It varies from state to state, and from sw to sw. In our case, we were given a page bio on each child (we adopted 4 siblings) and attached to that was a short note from our agency worker with a general background of why they were removed and asking if we were interested in meeting the kids' social worker.

We met with the social worker at the agency and both sides asked a lot of questions of each other. She asked us questions about parenting, views, etc. and we asked questions about the kids. While we didn't have the medical details, and some other details, we did feel we had enough info to continue on.

Next step was the committee hearing where we met the foster parents, the director of the county the kids were living, and the sw who had been involved from the beginning and made the decision to remove the kids. Plus the kids' sw and our agency worker were there. This is where we got a lot more details and more answers. And after that meeting we took a week to make up our minds and they also decided we were the right family for the kids.

It wasn't until after we met the kids and the sw was "confident" that we were going to adopt the kids that she allowed me to come to the social service dept. and view all the files and ppwk on the kids. I ASKED to see these files though. These files contained a lot more medical details as well as details of the bparents. So you need to keep in mind that sometimes things aren't necessarily offered and if you have any questions or concerns be sure to ASK.

Crick

[bange]

Can you adopt 2 children, unrelated at the same time. In other words, if you were chosen for 2 different children, could you adopt both if they were from different states? Is there a law concerning this? Or is it ok?

[missw005]

Originally Posted by bange

Can you adopt 2 children, unrelated at the same time. In other words, if you were chosen for 2 different children, could you adopt both if they were from different states? Is there a law concerning this? Or is it ok?

No. You have to choose one. Your agency won't allow you to do that. In addition, most agencies will not allow you to start looking for another child for at least a year from the placement of your last child. (ie., Jane was placed w/you in July 2005, you couldn't start looking again until July 2006.)

The ONLY time I've heard of that happening is with international adoption, and even then, there were special circumstances. Or with foster care - the adoptive family is a foster parent as well as an adoptive parent.

[Lorraine123]

You cannot adopt two children at the same time. In MD You have to wait a year (I think). Nor would you want to adopt two. These children have special needs (some more than others - but their needs are unique). It would be a diservice to the child to have two placed with you at the same time.

[bange]

1. How long does the initial process usually take? Once you submit your homestudy how long does the SW usually take before making a decision (average)?
2. Also, once you are matched how long before you meet the child?
3. What requirements other than the homestudy are typically needed to adopt in the US?
4. If a child is legal risk, does that mean there is a good chance the adoption won't go thru OR just that the process of legalizing them for adoption is not far enough along?
5. If legal risk does it require a court order to allow child to be placed in another state.

Sorry for so many questions but you guys are SOOOOO helpful. THANKS A MILLION!

[bange]

Is OPEN adoption the only adoption that requires birth family/mother contact... or is that information given/requested in each child's situation whether open adoption or not>?