Applying to adopt!

[lwheelr]

best thing about adopting through the state is that you have resources available forever-like classes on adopting, classes on parenting, resources for psychiatric care if needed, medical expenses covered if necessary and expenses paid if you have some special need that you can't afford like braces or glasses or physical therapy or summer camps or .......

This REALLY depends on the state! My sister adopted through Washington state, and they refused all follow up assistance except Medicaid. This, when their CPS charts both stated that the kids had Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (the case worker told her emphatically before the adoption that they had no evidence to suggest that they did - even though the mother was a known alcoholic), and the state knew the needs of the boy were such that respite care would be essential (she has flown him to us in Wyoming because the state refused respite care for him). My sister said she'd do it again, because it was the right thing to do, but she did not appreciate being lied to and then abandoned.

Many states in a budget crunch will cut services for kids that have been adopted - the agreements at the time of adoption can vary widely (and WILDLY), depending on the kid, particular needs, the caseworker handling the state side of things, the budget health of the state at the time of the adoption, the overall number of adoptable kids in the system at the time, and other factors.

Some states have adoption subsidies for kids with special needs, but this is declining - their categorization of "qualifying special needs" is getting tighter and tighter.

 

[farmerlor]

best thing about adopting through the state is that you have resources available forever-like classes on adopting, classes on parenting, resources for psychiatric care if needed, medical expenses covered if necessary and expenses paid if you have some special need that you can't afford like braces or glasses or physical therapy or summer camps or .......

This REALLY depends on the state! My sister adopted through Washington state, and they refused all follow up assistance except Medicaid. This, when their CPS charts both stated that the kids had Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (the case worker told her emphatically before the adoption that they had no evidence to suggest that they did - even though the mother was a known alcoholic), and the state knew the needs of the boy were such that respite care would be essential (she has flown him to us in Wyoming because the state refused respite care for him). My sister said she'd do it again, because it was the right thing to do, but she did not appreciate being lied to and then abandoned.

Many states in a budget crunch will cut services for kids that have been adopted - the agreements at the time of adoption can vary widely (and WILDLY), depending on the kid, particular needs, the caseworker handling the state side of things, the budget health of the state at the time of the adoption, the overall number of adoptable kids in the system at the time, and other factors.

Some states have adoption subsidies for kids with special needs, but this is declining - their categorization of "qualifying special needs" is getting tighter and tighter.

And that's very true. Here in Colorado we were just reminded that there were funds available for post-adoption services and I have to admit that given the present economy I was a little surprised.

 

[lwheelr]

Yeah, you have to really check in your own state, and then verify again when the papers are actually signed, because things can change fast.

It can range anywhere from really really good, to pretty pitiful.

Just important that you find out in your state, at the time.

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

it is so great that you want to adopt!
my aunt had 5 kids (her's biologically) then adopted three from russia (they were ages 2, 5, and 15 when they got adopted) and now she's adopting triplets from columbia! they will be 2 when she gets them! and she homeschools the five that are still at home!
good luck!

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I didn't get a chance to read all of this, just the initial post.

I hope it works out for you! I know you want at least one child, and it sounds like you would be great parents.

My husband and I always talked about adopting, but we got a big surprise last year when we found out we were having our own child . . . something we just never really considered . . . we thought it would be better to give a child a home than bring one into the world.

I hope everything goes well for you!

 

[DrakeMaiden]

The issue is with the fact that an adoption runs up to 20K per child It is literally the most expensive way to "have" children.

Well, if you need medical assistance during labor, you can easily rack up 20K in delivery bills alone! So no, unfortunately I don't think it is the most expensive way to have children.

 

[eggrookie2010]

How wonderful! I have just in the last month witnessed THREE very successful adoption stories! And my best buddy is adopting a 3 sibling group from the Philipines-she is in AK too. (now THAT is a sticky mess...getting kids from there) but the family is thrilled.

 

[Denim Deb]

I have 2 nieces adopted from India, and if I had been unable to have children, I would have looked into adoption.