How do you go about finding these hundreds of children needing a family, in the state system?
Is it my responsibility to keep looking and asking for updates on new children available? How often should I send out our family bio, and inquiry? WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR ADOPTION CASE WORKER??
I call DHHS, our regional office, at least once a month. I email our adoption case worker every two weeks. I never speak with her personally (she never returns my call). When I email her, I get one lined responses..."That's to bad"..."Thank you"..."No new updates".
I would imagine that there is a fine line between advocating and driving everyone nuts.
I have been in contact with other case workers in other regions. I know that they have their own families to advocate for.
I guess I am just perplexed. I can't figure out how these children EVER get placed.
Any advice???
12 comments:
Your advocacy, your commitment, your persistence will be rewarded, and that reward will be a child's deliverance from the dark.
A placement with us will be the greatest feeling of vindication you have ever felt.
Have you been to afamilyforme(dot)org?
There are lots of kids listed that are waiting to be placed. Most are older, but there are some younger ones too. I really do hope it all comes together for you soon.
Two words for you:
New Worker
There, I said it. I know a lot of people who have been through this and its usually a case of a bad worker. We had an awesome worker, and she did not conduct business the way yours is. New Worker.
Is it that? Is it a "bad" worker?? Your story isn't an unusal one. And one of the reasons we didn't go that way. Its the way of it, to go on about the hundreds, no thousands of kids in foster care that need homes. But actually getting to provide one?? SOOOOO HARD!!!!!
We adopted 4 times, all private domestic newborn. We wait 2-3 months after HS completed and placement occured. I've never heard of this happening with anyone trying to adopt through fostercare.
ALL the "workers" can't be bad. Can they? So what gives???
I agree with Mister AST, your actions will be rewarded.
In the meantime- does this doof have a boss? Can you request a new caseworker?
I know of a couple in my area going through the same thing. Yesterday there was a write up in the paper about how over 600 foster homes are needed ASAP in the Milwaukee area. Yeah. um. .. they have been waiting for a month and a half, and still nothing. What gives?
This is not abnormal. Especially when working with a government-run system. You basically have to find your own kids and advocate like crazy. Talk to as many other workers as possible. Most won't accept your info and will ignore your emails anyway, but there are many who will and that is where you will find your child. It'll happen. You are tenacious. That is a good thing.
I got many phone calls returned and a potential placement with Melissa's suggestion. I also agree with Tuba.
Also I highly recommend talking to Claudia a fletcherclan.blogspot.com. She works for Adopt America as a placement professional. Tuba sent me to her and that's where I found Special K. She places from all states.
adoptuskids.org is where I found J. I will forever be grateful. I had to email out hundreds of studies but it was totally worth it to find my daughter. Include a personal letter on top of every homestudy you send out. It's much more personal than you're homestudy and will likely get them to actually read your study.
I'll shut up now....
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I have tried your suggestion, Melissa...our home study is ciculating. I guess it just takes patience and persistance. All of which I am happy to do for the end result.
It sounds like you need a new case worker on your side! There is no excuse for her to be so completely non responsive! How annoying to be ignored, but it will be even worse if she is still like this when you are in the middle of an adoption (when you need constant attention)!
Most states (or regions) have a website with photos of legally "free or almost free" for adoption children waiting to be placed. Usually you can contact the case worker of the children you find and get things rolling forward through them.
Good Luck!
I just read through some of the comments and wanted to add that there ARE GREAT case workers out there - we've worked with several of them! But there are some 'not so good' ones too.
Sounds maddening! Wish I could help.
The squeaky wheel usually gets oiled, as they say..... Keep at it-- patience and respectful nudging-- often-- eventually pays off.
Post a Comment