The Foster Care System...x50

We have been exploring the option to adopt from the Foster care system, however the responses we have received to our inquiries have not been positive, leaving us to wonder if it is at all possible for us to adopt from Foster Care while remaining in Korea. We are are prayerfully considering the option of adopting while residing in America. This would mean (after a period of saving and saving) we would move to a U.S. State and adopting within that State's Foster care system.

So now this give us 50 different systems to look at and determine which State's system will both meet our needs as well as the needs of the child being placed for adoption. Like the ad above says "You don't have to be a perfect person" Similarly there is not going to be one perfect State system. Each State offers different (for lack of better words) pros and cons to adopting. For instance some states don't offer a Foster-to-Adopt program and you first become a licensed Foster Parent and then if the child's parental rights are terminated (TPR) then you have first choice to adopt.

Oregon is one of the "better" States to work with for the ease of an adoption. They have a great case-worker network, state funding for the adoption, and great post-placement services for both you and the child. But other States offer a variety of different positive aspects. Florida, for example, offers a tuition waiver for Foster care and Foster adopted kids, to attend any of their State's Universities, Community Colleges or Vocational Schools. Hawaii, while offering an average amount of support for adoptions through Foster Care also mandates that any employer with full-time employees must provide health insurance. Hawaii is also one of the best States if you want an open adoption as the birth records are not sealed. (As an aside, a big thumbs up to Hawaii for revamping their Foster Care system and getting it back on track when, just a little more than 10 years ago, it was one of the worst systems in the United States.) Utah has one of the highest percentages of adoptions through Foster Care. Also we need to consider our network of support in both Texas and Oregon/Washington.

Having said all this, it is our firm belief that Foster Care is supposed to be a temporary placement and the overall goal should be a safe reunification for kids and their parents or relatives. Sometimes though, this is just not possible. That is where families who are willing to adopt step into the picture. It is a great desire of our hearts to not just add a child to our family, but to save, help, shelter, love and nurture a child in need. We believe this is what God has called us to do and that is why we were initially looking at adopting through an orphanage and are now considering Foster Care. However the dive into the Foster Care System has been a little daunting with each State having different requirements and regulations. One of the most beneficial links we have found has been through Focus on the Family at

http://www.icareaboutorphans.org/StateAdoptionRequirements.aspx

other helpful links are

http://www.adoptionservices.org/adoption_special/adoption_foster_care.htm and

http://fostercareadoption.us/index.php

We are in the process of educating ourselves about our options and opportunities right now. We have not made any solid decision-just gathering information. The more information we have, the more we have to pray about and seek God's guidance. We are going to try to narrow down our State options to about 10 and then take an extremely close look at those States' Foster Care Systems. We ask that you will continue to pray for us and for clarity of information as well as the continued guidance of God.

The "Maybe" Option

Ok so for the past week or more we have been working on a possible 5th option. We may possibly be able to adopt from the U.S. Foster care system for waiting children. There are several agencies and non-profits that seem to have programs for both Foster care and families living abroad. So far we've found:

The Adoption Exchange http://www.adoptex.org/site/PageServer

AdoptAbroad

http://adopt-abroad.com/ Illien Adoption International http://www.illienadoptions.org/ VIDA http://www.vidaadoptions.org/

there is also AdoptUSKids http://www.adoptuskids.org/

These are who we are looking at right now. We have checked out their websites, contacted all of them, and even received an introduction email from a few of them. The problem is we have no more answers to any of our questions than we did two weeks ago. It seems just when we get in contact with someone they pass us off to another agency or social worker. Most of this is confusion about our situation. This echoes back to the "we are from a Hague convention country but are currently in a non-Hague convention country" part of our previous post. We know that if we adopt from the United States, it will be considered a domestic adoption, however many people either think it will be an international adoption or that we will have to follow Hague Convention guidelines. We do believe it is possible to adopt from Foster care and continue to being missionaries in South Korea. But How much will it cost? Will the government pay for some of the expenses as if we lived in America? Who will conduct our Home Study? Who would do our post-placement evaluations? Does it matter from which State we reside? How long will we need to stay in America? What is the time frame for the adoption process? Do we need a separate attorney or agency? Is it actually possible to adopt from the Foster care system if we live overseas and are non-military? Do we need South Korea's permission to adopt and if so do we need to fulfill their adoption requirements as well? After having placed several calls and countess emails, and again ending up with more questions than answers, we are wondering if we should be looking at some of the former options. Perhaps it's time to give Randy another call.

So for the many of you who have asked and even more of you who are praying, that is where we are at right now. I wish I could give a solid clear answer, but the fact of the matter is, we don't have one...yet. so we'll keep praying and trusting in God's perfect timing.