Q & A- learn from our experiences please. :)

I got the fun opportunity to answer questions at lunch today about adopting through foster care. It's one of those things that I love talking about and hope to help others make a decision if it is them or not. Few people know that it's an option to going to an expensive adoption agency where you'll be put on a long waiting list.
What does it cost?
Not anything really. You can be repaid for traveling to meet and bring home your child. The adoption court cost is around $600 which will either be covered by a stipend or be reimbursed.  Yep. That's about it.
How long does it take?
Time varies depending on when classes start (around once every 2-3 months), how quickly you complete the paperwork they give you, the time it takes for your fingerprints to come back, how quickly your friends send back the reference forms, what's going on at the HH office, and things like that. Our first time around we took the classes in November and didn't do much on the adoption packet until the next spring. From the time we took our packet to DHS, the did our home study & friends sent in their letters TILL we got our license to adopt was about 3 months. Our license was dated May 21rst and Luci was in our home June 4th. She was legally forever ours February 27th, 2009. This time we took our first class in October, turned in our paperwork and finger prints in November and got the call this month for our second class, home study, home walk through (next week) and CPR training (in two weeks). So, I'm guessing maybe a month till we're licensed (unless we were total dorks tonight in our home study interview and they reject us totally...). From there it will just take time to find a child or sibling group who will be Hollands in the future.
Can you adopt if you're not married?
Absolutely!
Can you adopt a child of a different race?
Absolutely! There are some legal barriers if you are interested in Native American but otherwise it's great to be open to various races.
Can you give an age range of the child you want to adopt?
Yes you may! Of course every preference you add narrows the field of adoptable children but you also should be very specific so that it's a better match.
Are there any services available after the adoption?
Yes. There are several free options available to you for support groups and therapy groups. Not to mention your child will have medicaid insurance and be able to get Pell Grant for college. :) These are great comforts for the health and education of your child.

I'm sure there were more and we'd love to answer more. Feel free to leave a comment. The key is to remember is that the importance is what is best for the child AND that every child's situation is different. No one can answer when, who, what....each day is day-by-day and you'll never be given more than you can handle.

Good night friends,
Kate

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.