[Archive]

Originally Posted By anonymous

Why does a D not surprise us for Indiana. It should be an F. I wonder if the state realizes how bad they are? I know the ones in charge think they are perfect. I have seen first hand some of the damage to the kids. I have talked to foster kids and heard the treatment first hand that they had to tolerate by agency abuse of power. How the abuse of parents continued and they had to learn how to hide it cause each time they told it became worse. I have felt their pain when they told of being moved from foster parents they were attached to just for the sake of keeping them from becoming attached to someone other than their parents. I have heard them tell how much better their life could have been had they been allowed a voice.The majority would have rather lived somewhere else, and only had minimal contact.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Jerry

I don't feel anyone would dispute that there are problems within our child welfare system. Abuse, neglect and apathy. I also believe that the only way we can change this is through legislative action. I've talked to countless caseworekers who are disgusted with "the system." In our state alone there's been a 44% turnover in caseworkers, in the last year. If that isn't a red flag I don't know what is!!! They are frustrated with the limits they have>>We are frustrated with "our" lack of ability to influence, or cause change. We all know who suffers.

Everyone involved in the process has an "agenda," whether noble or not we have an agenda as well. Several times we've had to accept that we were not the best family for a child, or children. It's stressful waiting, hoping and praying that we'll be "picked" only to be turned down again. Fortunately we haven't grown bitter, but try and put our situation into perspective. Do social workers make mistakes............I'm sure they do.............Do they have bias's or prejudice.......yes they do....we all do.......Are we "good" parents that can raise another child.......Yes, we are.......Will we find the right placement.....Only if we keep looking and advocating for ourselves and our "potential placement."

All you have to do is look at the smiles in the photo's that have been posted to know if this is all worth the effort.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Pam

Best advice I can give you (which we followed) is to ask around to see who has had good/bad luck with certain states and pursue those states. Some just seem to care a lot more about their waiting kids than other states do.

I'll repeat my recommendations (not necessarily in this order), Illinois (sometimes), NJ (great), delaware (great), NC (sometimes), Oregon and WAshington (at least they will call you back).

Worst states I know of: Wisconsin (I live here), New Mexico (it's infamous), Mass (never ever got an answer on any kids we asked about), Iowa (ditto for them) and NY (they just send you an e-mail that is not personal).

Missouri will answer too as will Ohio, although we never got close to a placement from either. Kentucky will also at least answer you.

Some states will not pay for travel expenses. If you are short on money, don't bother with California or Utah, two states I know will not pay for travel costs. NJ and Delaware paid 100% of our adoption costs.

The states are very different!

Good luck!

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Shelley

Since this is my state I have to answer. I have been searching for ever with no success, after 7 years- I have decided to go for one more round with Texas. I found a very helpful worker who takes the time. Thank God. How can Indiana
do their job when each case manager has over 50 cases and maybe only one or two workers in the county. They need help,
its is sad that the kids have to wait in limbo and you have to go to another state. But I want another child and I am willing to go to Texas to find him.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Candy

I too am from indy our sw has gone as far as to discourage us from looking out of state she tells us we will be chargedup front for our homestudy and will not be reimburrsed the cost if we do end up adopting special needs from out of state or in state placement however I know this to not be true due to we are praying to go to committe for 2 little boys after the first of the year.( they are from Oregon)
Our sw tells us not to look out of state however she does nothing to help find us a child she never calls us we make a phone call to her every other week otherwise we never hear from her. When we did research to find an agency this agency was told to us to be the best in Indiana but I seem to find it not true if I had it to do all over again I think I would go with a different one. We will probally look else where when the time comes to revew our homestudy. Anyone know of an agency they have had any luck with please let me know would appreciate it.

[Archive]

If you are interested in children 8-15 with many special needs then I am sure that there are children in Indiana as they are elsewhere. As an agency that places special needs children, we have 20 families for every child available under the age of seven and less than five families interested in children age 8 and older. We do have lots of sibling groups that we place together with many special needs. Are you interested in older children 8+ in age and with lots of special needs??

[Archive]

Many of the changes needed do need to be made by the legislatures and the courts. A social worker working for a state agency, must present evidence to the courts and then the courts make the decision. ALso included in decision making are CASA's, GAL's, Foster parents, and other related parties to the case. It isn't all the social worker, but I am sure you are alll aware of this.

As an agency worker, we have 237 children on our caseload. 80 percent of those are children 8+ in age. They have been sexually abused, have severe behavioral problems, attachment disorders, and other severe special needs. Of those 237, only 10 percent are single children not attached to a sibling group of 2-7 children. If you are interested in children with the characteristics listed above and who are older, then you should have many agencies looking at your study.

If you are looking for a child that is under six, not attached to a sibling group and with minor special needs, then you are likely to have a very long wait.

[Archive]

I am also from IN. I have adopted one child from IN and one from out of state. I would not adopt another child from IN. The "system" serves one purpose, to provide employment for social workers. In general, they do NOT watch out for the best interests of the children. Take a look at the website that lists "awards" for adoption from the federal government. The link is at the website for IL. Indiana is NOT even listed.

SW's in the state of Indiana "talk the talk", however, they do NOT "walk the walk" of what is best for the child. IN judges are not much better. The Adoption Act is ignored on a regular basis. TPR does NOT happen within the specified period REQUIRED by federal law. Lawyers do not press the issue because they have other cases pending before the same judge. So, many children acquire more problems by being "stuck" in the system. The entire state of IN is the "crack" that children are falling through. ICPC is not much better. The hurry up and wait system is alive and well.

By the way, I have read many of your postings and my heart goes out to each of you who are suffering. There is light at the end of the tunnel and there is a child out there for you.

God bless and Happy Holidays!

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Candy

Hi Debbie yes we are looking for special needs ages up to 11 or 12 very interested in sibling groups of 2 however not interested in children with bi-polar fas and children that are physically aggressive we do have a bio daughter age 9 in the home and are looking at what would be best for her along with what would be best for the children that we do adopt.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Graham

Thanks Jerry,
You have the energy to say what I would, and do, over and over again.
Thank you my friend.
graham.