quick update

On the adoption front, our SW contacted us last week apologizing on behalf of her supervisor advising us that he had been out of the office for most of the month of November and had not read her completed home study turned in and advised her to inform us that we could contact him directly if we needed to. I truly understand illnesses, mandatory workshops and furlough days.

They met this past week and he is aiming to complete everything and she will make any changes necessary that he finds. I told her that we understood and that it was not necessary for us to speak with him. He clearly knows who we are and knows that we are serious. However, we do understand that things happen. I am at peace with things because we are finished and now just waiting to be "uploaded" into their system and matched or have a child placed with us. She advised me that one of the home studies that was approved shortly before submitting ours was placed and another one is waiting. It all depends upon the preferences of the parents.

It is a little different dealing with the state because they are truly over worked with their case loads. Adding on adoption to the fostering program is a lot to manage for a state agency. We are not too concerned because everything has been completed and it is a matter of the supervisor checking over the information and finalizing it before it is uploaded into their system. We have been through a private home study before, so I guess this is nothing to new to us. I told our SW that we are fine as long as everything is taken care of this month and we are on the list. We know that she will be helping the department that considers placements with our case.

I am glad that we have a wonderful 'old school" type SW that contacts us on a regular basis and has our best interest at heart. Remaining in contact with families going through a process is an important role that the SW plays in representing the agency, whether it is a private agency or the state.

Overall, thus far, I can say that I am pleased with our process with them. I can also say that the faces of adoption, meaning the type of families who are utilizing the state system is changing. Our class was a prime example of the change. You are seeing more and more families giving the state an opportunity now through fostering and adoption. Which is a great thing, even though it requires a little more patience when dealing with them versus a private agency. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages on both sides, however, the end result is what counts.
So, hopefully, I will have some news regarding getting on the list very soon. Once we are placed on this list with our preferences (age, race and other pertinent information) it can happen very quickly or it may take a short while to wait. It all depends upon the cases coming through.
I will keep the blog updated as I receive updates.