Adoption 101

I think I am emotionally ready to begin the adoption process.  It's a long, complicated process- which I don't fully understand.  But I know enough to get started.  To be truthful, it's kind of overwhelming to me.  And when things are overwhelming, I tend to shut down and not do anything.  

But I am trying to just do one thing at a time to get the ball rolling.  We had actually started the paperwork process last summer. So I contacted the agency again to see what I need to update.

Here's what I learned from a website called OLOS about what is required: 

A home study is a written story of you and your family. A current home study is needed for every adoptive family in the United States whether they are adopting a child in their state, in another state or internationally. Once a home study  is completed it will be submitted to the court.  You will receive a notice once you are certified to adopt in your county of residence. AUTOBIOGRAPHY: Family members are asked to complete an autobiography. It is the story of your life, and may include such items as childhood experiences, family relationships, education, marriage, experiences, employment, and other important information you would like to share. BACKGROUND RECORDS CHECK: Arizona requires that adoptive families have fingerprints taken and a local criminal and child abuse background records check. A list of local fingerprint locations is provided for you. Note: Most misdemeanors that occurred in the past will not have an adverse effect on the outcome of the home study, although they will be addressed. Major felony convictions and crimes against children are reasons a home study would not be approved. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Financial records are reviewed and the information is provided to the court to make sure adoptive families can manage their current finances and insure that adding another family member will not put them in financial peril.  Items needed include copies of tax forms, insurance policies, bank statements, mortgage or rent payments, and credit card balances. Note: While there is not necessarily a minimum income that is required to adopt a child, the adoptive family must show they can manage their finances and are able to accept a child into their home without undue financial burden. HEALTH STATEMENT: Health examinations are required of all persons in your home. The goal of the health statements are to make sure the family is in good general health, they have normal life expectancies, and they are able to physically and mentally care for a child. If there is an existing medical condition, you are not necessarily precluded from adopting a child as long as the condition is not a threat to others and the condition is under a doctor’s care and supervision. A doctor must give a written recommendation of your ability to care for a child. HOME VISIT: A home visit and a tour of your home is made by the assigned social worker. Safety factors will be reviewed with you. There are specific rules for swimming pools, pets and weapons in the home.  Your worker will record information about your home and living situation as part of the home study. PERSONAL INTERVIEW:  One or more interviews will be required with the Social Worker conducting the home study. At least one of these interviews will take place in the home of the adoptive family. The personal interviews will explore the adoptive family’s decision to adopt and to make sure their home is adequately prepared to receive a child. RACE: When an adoptive family is adopting a child of a different race.  The Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA) prohibits race as a consideration to delay or deny an adoption. In the case of interracial adoptions there are certain dynamics that need to be explored in order to fully educate the adoptive family and each country has different specific requirements that the social worker will review with your family. The home study process reviews issues of race to help the family prepare for the social and cultural issues associated with inter-racial adoptions. REFERENCES: References are required. You may request them from employers, friends, neighbors, clergy, and family members. The references are used to assess the adoptive family’s desire and fitness to parent a child. References are not shared with an adoptive family in order to maintain their integrity unless a written release is signed by the person providing the information.. RELIGION: Affiliation with a religious denomination is not a requirement for an adoptive family with adoption, but the subject of religion is usually explored in the home study.  Some agencies, however, do have certain religious requirements of their adoptive families.  Religious inquiries in the home study are made as to the faith of the family, service attendance, and future religious involvement of the child. If you have questions please call or send us an e mail. We look forward to working with you and your family to successfully complete your home study in a timely cost effective manner.

So... yeah.  Lots of work ahead of us.  Anybody want to write my autobiography?  They didn't say I couldn't have a ghost writer.  ;)   

Last year, we already did the physicals, and got fingerprinted.  So I hope those still count.

Anyway- here we go.   

P.S.  If you hear of a potential birth mom.... tell her about us.  And maybe by the time you do, I'll have an autobiography written...  ;)