[accornett]

Hi everyone! This is kind of a vent, but I do have alot of questions. DH and I have been licensed through our agency since January 09. We did foster care for 8 months in 2006 through a dif agency and fostered 12 children during that short time. I am the kind that gets very attached very fast, so after 12, I had to take a break from things and rethink my goal. We have lost 2 beautiful bio daughters due to complications at 5 months pregnant. And I just really want to be a mom, while making a difference. Anyway, so when we were licensed we told our agency we wanted to be adopt only or atleast legal risk. They agreed. About 2 weeks after licensed, I get a call about a 1 year old boy who has several broken bones and no where to go, so ofcourse I accepted, even though I knew it would be foster only. He is leaving friday RU with bio mom and I told my agency that I wanted legal risk or adopt only from now on, so now they are ticked and say I have to find my own kids and then they will help me adopt!!! what the heck???!!! I don't even know where to start. We are wanting caucasion, 0-6, one to three kids, gender doesn't matter. We are in region 2. I just don't know what else to do. I look on the TARE site, but nothing! I have contacts with cps and casa supposedly keeping their ears open, but there has to be something else I can do. Should I just keep doing foster care and hope for the best or should I stick to what I feel is best for my family and for myself? I'm tired of having my heart broken.

[hopefulfor1more]

I feel for you. I am in a very similar position. Basically, I have been told that unless you want large (4+) sibling groups referrals are just not happening right now. As to whether or not to continue fostering? That is tough. We decided to wait it out because I am not sure I can handle one more loss, but that is such an individual decision. I don't think there is anything more you can do other than possibly trying another state's listings. I have have not adopted out of state but that is something I am considering. Best wishes to you. I know how hard waiting and wondering is and it doesn't sound like your agency is being very supportive right now. Like you said it is all about being a mom and making a difference. That is what I am going to focus on while I wait (and compulsively search TARE and every other photolisting I can think of) .

[accornett]

yeah but my agency is unwilling to contract out of state for us to do an out of state adoption, so that is another dead end for us. I've been considering switching over to region 2 cps from our agency. Does anyone know how long that would take or what all we would have to do? I'm just so discouraged. There should be some other way to find our kids. It's not like there is a lack of children that need forever families. I don't want to give up... I just don't know where to turn for help. I signed up for the tare adoption network to find out about kid's that don't get listed on the photolisting, but my casemanager still hasnt sent over my homestudy and it has been a month!!! Does anyone know if that babies can't wait program is available in my region??? I just need a little hope!

[embuck]

I am in region 6... i think... Houston. Anyways there is a baby program with my agency but it costs about 12,000 and the list is long. If you want a CC child its even longer, so I am told. I would talk to a supervisor at your agency and ask why they are not willing to do a legal risk placement for your home. Why they are making you look for your own placements. I would schedule a meeting, they should not back you in a corner to do foster care only. There has to be some other programs available. I do however know that with my agency they would not even consider placing you in these programs if you only want CC children. I would ask if this may be the problem.

[dachshunds4you]

I would consider switching to CPS. With such young ages, you'd probably have more success direct than through an unwilling agency.

From what I understand, it takes about 2-3 months to switch. You don't have to re-do any of your classes unless they are expiring soon. They will come out and speak with you again, for their hs update, but that's pretty much it.
I'd suggest calling your local CPS office and get the number of the person you can talk to and discuss the option of switching over.

We'll be switching to CPS ourselves in the next few wks. We just needed one more class that is up for renewal this weekend, and then we'll call to transfer. I'm sure I will hate the wait, but once it's done, we'll have more calls for placements I think.

[skylark_25]

I'm with CPS in region 11. I'm licensed for foster and adoption, b/c CPS here certifies all their families for both since frequently foster parents end up adopting their placements if they come availible. CPS here won't certify for 'adoption only'. They refer all those families to agencies. Your criteria of CC kids ages 0-6 are hard to come by in Texas (even in sibling groups), so unless you are willing to foster first I would anticipate a lengthly wait. Not to say it 'never' happens, it's just really rare as the majority of young children end up being place with a relative if not RU'd. I can understand why you are disinclined to foster. It is very hard when you grow to love them and then they leave. Ultimately only you can know what is best for your family, as far as fostering is concerned. If you are not willing to risk it, maybe you could consider broadening your criteria to give you more possiblities. Best wishes in growing your family.

Becca

[txwannabemom]

I understand the disinclination to foster. I too have choosen straight adopt. But I am working directly with DCFS. I am looking for 1 or 2 older girls though (4-8 or 9) with mild to moderate levels. And I said any race would be fine with me. I was still told the wait could be lengthy- up to a year. I am praying for a faster match, and working on developing patience. Which this process has taught me may not be my strongest virtue.

[hopefulfor1more]

Does anyone know if DCFS is still planning to privatize fostercare and adoption? I was told a couple of years ago that DCFS was actively looking to choose a private agency to manage their foster and adoptive homes. I am wondering if that is still going to happen. That is one of the reasons I have not switched to working directly with DCFS. If I remember correctly, region 8 (San Antonio) where I live was supposed to be a pilot program. I have not heard anything since we transitioned from fostering to straight adopt. I would love to know what happened with that plan.

[CaddoRose]

I'm in region 3. When we went to an info meeting with CPS they told us to pick a private agency because the state was moving the oversight of homes to private agencies. The only thing that will remain with CPS is the legal aspect. I don't know however, when the deadline is for the state to move completely over, but they are pushing it in that direction.

[hopefulfor1more]

Thanks CaddoRose, that is what I thought. I have not tried working directly with DCFS for that reason. I thought everyone was being encouraged to choose a private agency.

Accornett, I had my caseworker email a copy of my homestudy to me so that I could send it to TARE or out of state workers as I wished, maybe your worker would so that for you. Are there other agencies you could work with instead of the one you are with?

[accornett]

My agency is saying that it is their policy that we can come to the office and view our homestudy but they cannot release a copy of it to us. Rediculous! Also, no there isn't another agency in our town besides one that i fostered through a couple years ago. Even worse!!! Thinking about looking around though if nothing works out soon. There are 2 on the TARE site I inquired on, but cw still hasn't sent homestudy over. Also, my friend is adopting a little boy from another county and her adoption worker said she has a sib group of 3 little ones, that are being TPR'd and she will be hopefully giving us some more info monday. I'll just go to the office and not leave til they do what they need to do for us to get our family!!!! I'm stubborn!

[CaddoRose]

Originally Posted by accornett

My agency is saying that it is their policy that we can come to the office and view our homestudy but they cannot release a copy of it to us. Rediculous! Also, no there isn't another agency in our town besides one that i fostered through a couple years ago. Even worse!!! Thinking about looking around though if nothing works out soon. There are 2 on the TARE site I inquired on, but cw still hasn't sent homestudy over. Also, my friend is adopting a little boy from another county and her adoption worker said she has a sib group of 3 little ones, that are being TPR'd and she will be hopefully giving us some more info monday. I'll just go to the office and not leave til they do what they need to do for us to get our family!!!! I'm stubborn!

Some others have said the same thing about trying to get their home study too. I guess that is an agency thing. You might try see if you actually signed a paper that allows them to hold it hostage. If they do not have any paperwork stating that this is their policy, then you have a leg to stand on because they don't have a legal record of having told you that in the beginning.

[hopefulfor1more]

Good luck. You know what they say about squeaky wheels. I would be stubborn to in your shoes.