Comments on: Planning & Gathering Information for an Independent Adoption http://www.highheelsanddustbunnies.com/planning-gathering-information-independent-adoption Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:01:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brian http://www.highheelsanddustbunnies.com/planning-gathering-information-independent-adoption/comment-page-1#comment-115 Brian Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:08:34 +0000 http://www.highheelsanddustbunnies.com/?p=256#comment-115 All excellent advise when planning to adopt a new born. But it takes time and can be very expensive. Foster care adoption is another avenue individuals and families can take when considering adoption. Every state regulates adoption through foster care differently, but most follow the process as stated here, generally. The difference is that potential parents may need to be foster parents as well, but not in all cases. Foster to Adopt programs can offer one process that is inclusive of both foster care and adoption. California is one state that allows private foster care agencies who have adoption licenses to merge the 2 processes, saving time and paperwork. An advantage to Fost-adopt programs is that you can meet the child that may become available for adoption (or who has already been "freed for adoption" and get to know the child, give you time to fall in love with him/her. Many states require some period of time (CA is 6 months) that the child live with the family prior to finalization of the adoption. The cost is another advantage. Other than the cost of time, getting your home up to safety requirements, initial outlay of the cost of background fingerprinting (which is reimbersed) and a health screening, adoption through foster care has no other fees or costs. Many states will offer Adoption Assistance Payment to families who adopt children from foster care until the child is 18, giving families a way to save for college or for any special needs the child might have. The Feds give tax deductions for adoptions as well (so does CA). AdoptUSkids is a national clearing house for agencies who have fost-adopt programs and is a great place to start at www.adoptuskids.org. Best of luck to all in growing your family. Fost-adopt was a wonderful experience for my family. All excellent advise when planning to adopt a new born. But it takes time and can be very expensive. Foster care adoption is another avenue individuals and families can take when considering adoption. Every state regulates adoption through foster care differently, but most follow the process as stated here, generally. The difference is that potential parents may need to be foster parents as well, but not in all cases. Foster to Adopt programs can offer one process that is inclusive of both foster care and adoption. California is one state that allows private foster care agencies who have adoption licenses to merge the 2 processes, saving time and paperwork.

An advantage to Fost-adopt programs is that you can meet the child that may become available for adoption (or who has already been “freed for adoption” and get to know the child, give you time to fall in love with him/her. Many states require some period of time (CA is 6 months) that the child live with the family prior to finalization of the adoption. The cost is another advantage. Other than the cost of time, getting your home up to safety requirements, initial outlay of the cost of background fingerprinting (which is reimbersed) and a health screening, adoption through foster care has no other fees or costs. Many states will offer Adoption Assistance Payment to families who adopt children from foster care until the child is 18, giving families a way to save for college or for any special needs the child might have. The Feds give tax deductions for adoptions as well (so does CA).
AdoptUSkids is a national clearing house for agencies who have fost-adopt programs and is a great place to start at http://www.adoptuskids.org. Best of luck to all in growing your family. Fost-adopt was a wonderful experience for my family.

]]> By: Matt Hanson http://www.highheelsanddustbunnies.com/planning-gathering-information-independent-adoption/comment-page-1#comment-114 Matt Hanson Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:38:24 +0000 http://www.highheelsanddustbunnies.com/?p=256#comment-114 Good writing. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed my Google News Reader.. Matt Hanson Good writing. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed my Google News Reader..

Matt Hanson

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