Foster Care? Has anyone else waited a crazy long time to be allocated a baby/child? I live in Michigan?

Question

It's been nearly 5 months since our home study, and we haven't been put into classes yet or anything. Our home study was approved, and we're ready to take a child, or siblings, but we can't get hold of our social worker at CPS, to ask what the hold up is. Is this normal?

Answer 1

I am from Michigan also.  Although I have not gone through the adoption process I can say that CPS takes it's sweet time with EVERYTHING!  I would continue to call your worker and if you still hear nothing back I'd suggest that you ask to speak to a supervisor (be sweet and mention that you realize your worker is a very busy person but that you wanted to know your status or when your classes will be available... )  I'm sure you will get a return call shortly after that call :)  YOU ARE DOING a beautiful thing for children that DESERVE your love!  BEST WISHES

Answer 2

Altogether, it was over 10 months from me first applying to be a foster parent, to actually being approved.  I live in Australia, so it sounds as if some of the procedures or paperwork may be a bit different, but basically I have heard that it all depends on the workload of your case workers at the time.

Is there anyone else in your social workers department that you can speak to?  Usually foster care social workers operate as part of a team, under an 'umbrella' of foster care officers.  It really sounds as if he or she is extremely busy, and is having a hard time getting through all the paperwork and checks that need to be done.

I would definitely contact someone in the office if you don't hear soon, just a friendly call to say you were wondering how things were coming along, see if they would like you to provide any further information, etc.

Keep in mind though, there was a period of about 4 months where I had finished all my initial assessments, and I heard absolutely nothing, then all of a sudden everything started moving and within 3 weeks I was doing training and having my application heard!

Try not to worry, take the chance now for the peace and quiet, and enjoy it while you can!

Good luck, I hope everything goes well for you!

Answer 3

We've been approved since February. We have one out-of-state worker considering placing 12 year old twins and their little brother with us, and this just in: a distance family member had her one-month-old son taken latest week, and both parents are facing felony convictions, so their negative could be our positive in the adoption scheme. (we're praying and keeping our fingers crossed)