Those of you who have adopted an infant or child 1 and under from foster care system?

Question

how long of a wait did you have once the background checks and home study was completed?

We want to adopt a child 1 and under. I know about the "legally free" and the "legally at risk" categories that the state has and would prefer to adopt a child who is "legally free"

I have been searching all over the web and cant really find any adoption boards that have more than a few pages. Or any place to find others that have adopted children 1 and under from the state foster care system.

Do you know any helpful websites that I could check out?

Thanks

Answer 1

We were foster to adopt, with a preference for 'legal risk'.  We had specified either a infant or a sibling pair where both were 4 or under.  

We went through about 3 months to get certified as a foster home (we were moving to a new house and that slowed down the process).

After getting certified as a foster home, it took about 9 months before we had what you might call a "permanent placement".  (We had some short term placements during that 9 months).  The brothers, one was 3 years and the other 10 months, were listed as 50/50 legally at risk.  We went through about 4 months of waiting to know the outcome of the case.  Eventually, the boys were placed for adoption and we adopted them 2 months later.

So, from the start of the process to the finalized adoption was about two years.

Answer 2

most kids in foster care are older unless they have special needs.

Answer 3

It is very unlikely that you will be able to adopt a foster child under one.  Most states give the birth parents "reasonable" efforts for the first year.  So the child may have come to you under one, but before things are all said and done...the child could be 2 or 3.  

We are fortunate, we have one of the "rare" instances that doesnt happen in foster care very often.  In January we were called to take in a 6 day old baby boy.  We were very excited, he does have a few "special needs" but really will be able to live an almost normal life.  But even still, in December we have the Final Dispo hearing and it will still be another 2-6 months before we actually will be able to adopt him.  He will be around 18 months before he has our last name.  Honestly, this is the "best case scenerio!"

Good luck though...

PS...there is a risk with all foster care adoption!

Answer 4

I am in the same boat.  We are looking to adopt from newborn to 3 years old.  I am being told by everyone that it is almost impossible to get a young child through adoption, unless I wanted to do foster to adopt (which we didn't want to do).  So if you come across something, please let me know.

Answer 5

I think that by stating you want a child under 12 months old is severely limiting.

We are in the process of adopting but are looking to adopt a sibling group.  Even if we only wanted to adopt one child we would open up our limits to perhaps between birth and 4 years old.

There will be many people wanting exactly what you want so I'm afraid you are probably at the back of a very long queue.  Have you thought about adopting a toddler?  I'm sure you would have to wait a much shorter time than you are going to have to wait now.

Also remember that it isn't just a 'first come, first served' thing - the child will be matched to you so you must also fulfill other criteria to ensure that you are indeed the perfect parents for that particular child.

Contact your social worker and ask your question.  He/she should be able to help you out.

I wish you luck!

Answer 6

Unlikely to happen if you are so specific about age