My DH and I are doing the same thing through MT. I am sure each state has different requirements/proceedures. We took an 18 training course and have to maintain 15 hours of training each year to be licensed. We've had 2 calls for placements. We haven't heard about the 2nd one yet...maybe this week. The first, wasn't good timing for us and the child needed more special care than we would have been able to effectively provide.

I've had 2 really good friends adopt through the state foster care system. Both struggled with the legal aspects of the bio family as things aren't always finalized when you get a placement. However, both are extremely happy and have great families.

I would say do the training and eventually a child will come into your home that is a good fit for you and them. MT really focuses on the needs of the child and then the needs of the "parents" such as what they can provide. In MT they select families primarily based on the children and then what the family feels. Each person has deal breakers and before licensing, placement etc...you talk to your FRS about it and work with them.

Thank you. It helps to talk to those who have been through this process. We start training classes in March. Have to have 2 hours to foster and an additional 12 to adopt. We have to maintain 15 hrs a year as well.

2 families in my church have done this. The first is my preacher and his wife. They have 2 bio children and 5 adopted through foster care. When they set out they only wanted to foster but fell in love and ended up adopting.
The other family is like DH and I. Couldn't have their own children and set out to adopt one at a time. They got a call that a sibling group of 4 needed a home so they took them and were able to adopt all 4 at once. They have now gotten out of the system because they feel their family is complete.
Both couples dealt with the legal issues with bio parents but said it's worth it in the end. And if you lose a child, you know their life was better while they were with you.
Thank you so much for your response!

Anytime! :)

Our family started out being foster parents for medically fragile children in DSS care.We started over 9 years ago and have adopted 3 wonderful medically compex children.Please think about this area also in DSS, these children are wonderful kids and have very few homes willing to foster or adopt.The states give health care with most adoptions and other help to familes who want to adopt .This area of foster care is often over looked some call it theraputic foster care.
Adopting through foster care is a good idea and this way you can see if the children and you fit together well.

DH and I have considered adopting a medically complex child but you see my DH has health problems and I am not sure that I would be able to handle him and a sick child. I hope that doesn't sound as horrible as I think it does. I believe it is very sad that this area is overlooked and we are still considering it. I am actually a home health nurse for a 1 yr old foster boy you has health problems. On one hand I think it would be great for us because DH would be more understanding, I am a nurse, ect. but on the other I am afraid I would be taking on more than I (one person) can handle. We are praying about it.
I would love to hear more stories from people who have done this. Thank you all for your replies! :-)

We adopted my son out of the foster care system. We initially started out with an agency to adopt an infant, but through a twist of fate, were lead in this direction. 2 1/2 years of legal battles between the state and bio parents (he came from abuse and neglect.) We got him when he was 4. He is going to be 13 soon. He has had some issues- PTSD, ADHD, RAD, etc. He had horrible nightmares until the adoption was finalized. And just like that, they went away. We have been going to counseling all along. I love him and could not love him more if I gave birth to him. We took a bunch of classes as well, and took some additional, voluntary parenting classes to deal with our issues. We also read a lot of books and I have met a lot of people here on DS and get a lot of support here. There were also medical issues- parents had history of depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, suicide attempts, etc.

So I think the one thing to know that we were not told was that some of these kids have issues. I went into this very realistically, and I think that has helped keep me going. Deep down, he is such a loving kid, desperate for love and attention. That is what keeps me going.

I don't want to scare you. I just want you to know that sometimes these kids have issues.

We foster/adopted our son. Although it has been a rough road, I wouldn't give him up for the world. I would however suggest that you try to get a younger child. Our son came to live with us when he was 6 and we finalized his adoption when he was 8 and I think we could have bonded better if he had been younger. Good luck to you.

We have our first foster child. We got her when she was 5 weeks old. Happy healthy baby just in a bad situation. Mom has thought about giving up the baby, but I doubt that after speaking with her last night.

What we learned since September is that in MT things are done on a point system and very often children who become eligible for adoption in FC get adopted by the foster familes vs. the placement and going through staffing.

Foster care is a great way to become familiar with the system and get some valuable experience so when there is a child available that you fit and vise versa, you have a better shot at a perm. placement.

We are also looking into the same thing but in Ontario Canada. Good Luck

Hi,

We did the same as Kahlua but we're in CA. We foster/adopted siblings at 4 and 6 yrs old. The road to the actual adoption finalization seemed rough but now dealing with my dd's bi-polar, adhd, anxiety disorder and my son's ADD and ODD makes the process seem like a cakewalk.

We intentionally wanted older kids because they need the homes the most. Now I know why. Only take on what you can handle and get as much info you can on the child/ren.

Good Luck! We are starting the process as well, in Michgan. We have our first informational meeting at the beginning of February.

We are also in the process of becoming foster to adopt parents. We are almost licensed. It seems to take forever but we are one step closer to meeting the child God has waiting for us. Hope things work out for you!

We adopted thru FC. If I have any advice for you have every test done possible... NOT to say we would not have adopted ours if we hadnt its just you need to know for subsity purposes. We are going thru a lot right now with our daughter in trying to find out what is going on with her. We think it is possible RAD.