Best way to adopt//foster in arizona?

Question

any answers would be helpful...

and any information regarding legal requirements etc.. thank you all so much.

Answer 1

My friends in Arizona did an International adoption and I strongly recommend it.

They went through Dillon Southwest and they had an absolutely great experience.  http://www.dillonsouthwest.org/

They adopted a little baby boy at 6 months of age.  Today he is 11 and is absolutely the most inspiring, smart, caring 11 year in the World!  He wants to be President of United States (although he knows he can't because he was not born in US) .. but that doesn't stop him ... he says he will settle for Vice President.  :-)

Give Dillon Southwest a call and at least look into it.

Answer 2

u must be financially secured.

Answer 3

in tucson if your looking to do this you need to get with an agency so that they can start paperwork & training for you.

if you wish to put your children up for adoption, contact your local DES office to put you in touch with the agencies.

Answer 4

We live in Arizona, and have adopted from Korea twice, and have had a wonderful experience.

We belong to a group called "Arizona Adoptive Families", they have an online group, and also have events and playgroups. There are familes who've adopted internationally, domestically, through foster-adopt, and those who are foster parents. I'm sure they could give you some good advise and information no matter how you choose to build your family.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Arizona_Ad...

Good luck!

Answer 5

Call your state Child Protective Services office and ask for adoptions.  They will likely send you a packet, or invite you to a meeting.  But in general, here are the requirements for many states:

Job and job history - stable employment history

Salary - decent stable salary reflected on your tax returns, pay stubs and employment letters

Taxes - good history of completing verifiable tax returns

Marriages - usually look at number (less than three is preferable!) and length of current marriage (usually 3+ years)

Divorces - will need copies of the decrees, and names of exes, as well as explanation of reason for divorce

Children - children will be interviewed, even if live with you part time or if they are grown

References - must have personal and professional (therapist, rabbi, teacher) references who have known you both for 5+ years ideally

Medical - letters from doc stating no communicable or catastrophic ilnesses/diseases, and state that you are mentally/emotionally and physically stable

Mental - stability

Abuse history - from childhood on up, history and how you have resolved or coped with it

Arrests - if you have one, why and when, with details, and resolution, verified by criminal and child abuse background checks in all states where you have lived

Income - must be sufficient to more than just pay all bills and expenses, and not be in debt or bankruptcy

Pets - must be child friendly and up on all vaccinations and healthy

Home - must have a "home" -- not just a house -- can be an apartment or house, but needs to be organized, warm and child friendly and safe

Cars - do not have to be new, but need to be safe and dependable with approved car seats

Friends/neighbors - appropriate, not partiers and moochers

Family - need to be enthusiastic about the adoption for the sake of the child!

Counseling - history of marriage counseling and resolution, as well as mental health counseling and therapist's names and reports

Alcohol and drugs - no drug use and alcohol in strict moderation, and if have history of addictions, must have proof of resolution

Lifestyle - generally fit and appropriate for children, such as not a "clubber" or partier, no risky habits

Hobbies - what you do with your spare time

Religion/Spirituality - do not have to attend church unless the specific agency reqires it, and some birthmothers want only a certian religion or practice or the absence of it

Motivation to adopt - why and history of desire to adopt

History with children - caring for nieces/nephews or friend's children, or volunteer work documnted

Childhood - everything from your birth on up, such as family activites, discipline, parental roles, discipline, etc.

Family of origin - how close are you now and how often do you stay in contact, etc.

Marriage - stability and strengths and weaknesses, duration, usually at least 3 years

s*x life - normal, agreeable to both (indication of stability)

Exes - why ex relationships ended

Attitudes toward birthparents - caring, open, appreciative or want nothing to do with her (indication of attitude towards child as well)

Attitudes towards people of different socio-economic status - general attitudes reflect how you may see child, or birth parents

Attitudes about continuing contact with birthmother - open, semi open or closed -- most agencies will not work with families who want a closed adoption as this is not in the best interest of the child

Expectations of child - are the expectations realistic or not, such as must be bright and look like us (argh)

Health Insurance - must have adequate medical insurance for the child, as well as for selves

ETC.!! Good luck to you!!

Answer 6

Here's a good website for you.  If you poke around you should be able to find out all the requirements, procedures and how to get the ball rolling.

http://www.de.state.az.us/dcyf/adoption/

I hope this helps.