One month ago I received an email about a "paperwork" meeting for foster/adoption, and I went last night! Only one of us had to be present for this informational meeting and so I planned to go solo. Kennedy begged me to tag along though, so the two of us went. I could not deny her excitement to be involved in the process even though I felt bad that she had to listen to the hour long event discussing each document of the 1/2" tall stack of papers we must read and fill out. She didn't care, all she can think about is getting a sister. She wasn't disappointed one bit. That made me happy.
So I returned home with lots of work for us to do including lots of required reading and tests, applications, references that need to be filled out, physical exams that all five of us need completed, finger print and background check forms and more. What I was most thrilled about was getting to schedule an initial appointment with a social worker in our home.... next week! It's legit. Things are happening. Even though it is now overwhelming with all that must be accomplished - and side note, I greatly dislike all things administrative - but the ball is rolling. Since we have been at a complete stand still for months, any little movement is to be celebrated! So paperwork, here we come. Ryan and I plan to have many fun paperwork parties together.
After we get a few of the paperwork requirements completed and the social at least thinks we would be reasonable foster/adopt parents after our home visit next week and our home is safe enough (although I know we will need to make some safety additions /or adjustments to meet state standards), we should be signed up for the required Specialized Training, Assessment, Resources & Support (STARS) classes that start next month. These classes include 27 hours of teaching in addition to some homework assignments and will be completed in 9 weeks. THEN, we would need an additional 12 hours of classes on top of that later down the road to pursue adoption through the foster system.
Recap... ball is rolling, things are happening, God is stretching us and John Hancock's are going to be scrolling out like never before. Yeah, even more than mortgage papers I am pretty sure. I will update if anything else exciting happens!
So I returned home with lots of work for us to do including lots of required reading and tests, applications, references that need to be filled out, physical exams that all five of us need completed, finger print and background check forms and more. What I was most thrilled about was getting to schedule an initial appointment with a social worker in our home.... next week! It's legit. Things are happening. Even though it is now overwhelming with all that must be accomplished - and side note, I greatly dislike all things administrative - but the ball is rolling. Since we have been at a complete stand still for months, any little movement is to be celebrated! So paperwork, here we come. Ryan and I plan to have many fun paperwork parties together.
After we get a few of the paperwork requirements completed and the social at least thinks we would be reasonable foster/adopt parents after our home visit next week and our home is safe enough (although I know we will need to make some safety additions /or adjustments to meet state standards), we should be signed up for the required Specialized Training, Assessment, Resources & Support (STARS) classes that start next month. These classes include 27 hours of teaching in addition to some homework assignments and will be completed in 9 weeks. THEN, we would need an additional 12 hours of classes on top of that later down the road to pursue adoption through the foster system.
Recap... ball is rolling, things are happening, God is stretching us and John Hancock's are going to be scrolling out like never before. Yeah, even more than mortgage papers I am pretty sure. I will update if anything else exciting happens!