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Originally Posted By Wendy Newby

My husband and I recently began searching adoption sites on the internet. We recently came across a few children on the national adoption center (NAC) which we would like to learn more about & possibly begin sometime of adoption process.

What is the fastest way to begin such a process & can you submit for an adoption prior to the homestudy being completed?

Would this be a good case for independent adoption?

Thank you, Wendy

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You may make an inquiry about a child on the internet, but most likely they won't discuss the child with you unless you have a completed home study. If a child is a ward of the county or state, then you will have to have an agency on your end to complete the supervision once the placement is made. The agency that is placing the child will initiate the interstate compact paperwork and send it through for approval by the receiving state.

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It sounds as though you've found a child and would like a fast track to immediately adopting. In relative terms, there isn't one. Not for the timeline that I suspect you're looking at.

The adoption Stations of the Cross would include

- Parenting classes
- Criminal Background check (that can take the longest time)
- The homestudy, completed and approved.

Then you can seriously talk to the caseworker about a particular child. Most caseworkers are swamped with paper work and a tremendous caseload. They are usually not fond of talking to a person who hasn't performed obeisance to all the qualifying hoops. At my introductory class there were folks who back out of being a foster parent because they didn't want to complete the long (and frankly repetitive) application.... (I would write on the repeated questions, see answer to question #). Others didn't feel they should have to sit through a parenting class, etc. In short, that's what they (caseworkers) have seen, and would at least like to know that you've come out of the other side.

You also mentioned "independent adoption” I’m not sure as to what you are referring...

But if you mean...

- Adoption a child independent of an agency
- Or -
- Adopting a child directly from the parent vs. the state

The answer to both is. "Not so easy…" these children are wards of the State, therefore all potential adoptive parents must compete the aforementioned..

In short after you’ve done all there is to do, pull up a chair and wait and ***** with the rest of on this board, believe me you’ll need the company.

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Originally Posted By Pam

We found the boy on Faces of Adoption (www.adopt.org) and contacted the head of adoption in the State of New Jersey. We contacted her on our own, giving her several names of children we thought we'd be interested in. BTW, we live in Wisconsin, but we found this particular state (NJ) to be very receptive. The woman, Kay Pride, told us that one of the kids we were interested in desperately needed a home and had waited for two years. She said he is not a behavior problem and she has no idea why he has not been adopted yet. Well, our homestudy was BEING done....my worker talked to Ms. Pride and we ended up having our homestudy completed with the idea of adopting this particular child. After having him visit us several times (all expenses picked up by the state of NJ), he came to stay. NJ is paying both for our homestudy and for our legal fees too. If you have no homestudy started, I don't know if you will get as far as we did. Having a completed homestudy is definitely a big plus. Good luck

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Maybe she'll join this board and b*tch as well!
I'm sorry, I just can't stop laughing....
graham

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It is nice to hear that New Jersey is so generous in paying all the expenses for an out of state placement. Unfortunately, this isn't true across the board. Many states will only reimburse you for costs up to a certain amount. (Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses) The amount you spend for out of state travel, visitations, etc. may exceed that amount. Be sure you ask that question.

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Originally Posted By Pam

Personally, if I lived in NY, I"d vote for Hillary ten times over "throw the homeless in jail" Gov. Rudy Mussolini

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Originally Posted By yrand

I'm a registered Republican but if Hilary "it takes a village" Clinton could do something to expedite the process nationwide she'd get my vote and I'm here in Denver!

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Sorry, it seemed out of context. I was laughing so much at the previous post, and heard the "official" announcement of her candidacy on the TV in the background that I just blended the two. Having met Hilary I can tell you she is one fine and dedicated individual - no matter what side of the political fence - she would shine.