[sincerely]

I've been lurking here and thinking of foster adopt. From what I've gathered, it "sounds" like some ppl go thru cys/cps or whatever county agency and some ppl go thru an independant agency of some sort. It sounds like many ppl have proclaimed a bit more organization/success with an independant agency.

My question? Who are the agencies that help with foster adopt?

Doing agency searches is overwhelming and most seem to be either international or domestic "find a birth mom" type of deal. Can anyone share what agency they used for PA or western PA. OR where do I look?
thanks for any info.

[DianeScraps]

If you are looking for foster to adotp check out www. adoptpakids.org and their agency listing ( I believe it is by county)

We are using Friendship House, we are in the Eastern end of the state though.

Diane

[sincerely]

There is one listing for my county (lawrence county) and it is the county children & youth services. Is this the only avenue I have to pursue or are there other agencies that assist you in foster adopt?
My fear is that I get clogged up with a social worker being too overloaded with all that they already need to do and won't have time to help a child find us for a family, KWIM?

[DianeScraps]

Some agencies work in multiple counties, so you can check with them. You will want to work with an agency that 'works' with Children and Youth (if not going through Children and Youth) so that you have chance of getting the local referals and such.

Keep in mind you can go through 'orientation' and info gathering with several places till you get to one you are comfortable.

I know all about overburdened social workers, funny thing though, I have recently found that the social worker that I have dealt with that I feels is the best, most honest, and has the children's best intersts at heart currently has 19 children in her caseload. One who never returns calls, takes weeks/ months to do anything, she only has 10.

Diane

[Kristenwes]

We Are From Central Pa> We Have Used An Agency In State College Hope For Kids> They Have A Web Site> We Are Now Using The Bair Foundation> They Have Several Different Locations> One In Pittsburgh And One In Altoona> They Have A Web Site> We Have Been Making Alot Of Head Way With Bair> They Send Out Our Homestudy To Different States > Have Been Getting A Wide Variety Of Ages Girls And Boys>we Have Been Very Pleased With The New Change And We Are Pretty Picky About Who We Deal With>
Foster To Adopt
Ten Yrs
Son: Ten Years Old Soon To Be Approved Adoption
Girl:two Years Old Soon To Be Adopted
Sons: Twins Four Soon To Be Adopted
Girl: Out Of State Adoption Still In Progress

[sincerely]

No kidding, the Bair foundation. They have an office like almost across the street from my parents house. I've actually done business w/ them (catering). Their founder is from our hometown. I guess I should contact them. I didn't realize that is who I should be contacting. How convenient that would be for me! excited now

[PAmomof1]

I'm from Pittsburgh and I go through the county. I initially started out with a private agency. Everything was going so nice. The caseworker was even coming to my home to do the trainings which was AWESOME!!!

However she went on medical leave for about a month and when I called to see if she was back, they informed me that that agency no longer had a foster care dpt. I was infuriated as I was almost finished with my training.

That was what made me switch to the county. I'd say make some calls, get the information that they send to your home, go through the info and if you are still a bit hesitant, go to some of the orientation/info meetings.

Take your time and pick an agency that you will be very comfortable and confident with. You'll be dealing with them closely for a long time!

Good luck.