1st interview today

That's great Greta Congratulations!

Congratulations Greta. I hope all goes smoothly and that your child will find their way to your home soon!

Greta - I just saw your post and saw that you were a couple of months ahead of us in the 'timeline' wondering if you could share what the status is now? Thanks Diane

Hi Diane. I may not be in the same situation you are, but here is where we're at now. We called our county child and youth services and expressed our interest in adopting a child age 0-2. We are going thru their foster to adopt program. A caseworker came to our home last month and gave us the release forms for the FBI and other paperwork such as medical release forms for our doctors to fill out, child abuse clearance forms to send in, and told us to go on line and get the state police clearance. We filled out the application providing all the information and references and sent it in. We have to go to 2 classes, the first of which is tonight..the second Monday. She said to get a crib and a carseat and we should be approved by Christmas. We are probably going thru a different program than you since you are looking to adopt an older child that is already in the SWAN program..while we are looking for one that technically is in the program but hasn't been there long enough to be on the photolisting...but our process has been very quick! Good luck to you!!!

Wow that is quick Best of luck to you! Diane

Although I am in MD, my daughter was adopted through the SWAN program. They wanted to place her out of state due to safety reasons. It has been a great experience.

When our worker came out to do the interview, she said my husband and kids did not need to be here. She met my husband at two of the trainings, and had all of his autobiographical stuff and references, but she has only seen the kids in photos. I guess I kind of thought this was odd. She did say that the worker of whichever child we apply to adopt (we are doing SWAN) will want to interview us both, so maybe that is why she didn't interview dh? Just wondering what other people's experiences have been...Peace, Mal

Well she hasn't even set up the appointment for the first 'homestudy' but I thought that we both had to be here (no kids involved) ... she did meet us both for the 'orientation' but our classes were help through another organization (our agency wasn't scheduling any till sometime in 2005 I am kind of surprised you weren't both interviewed. And I didn't really expect as much of an interview from the childs worker - but maybe I am misinterpretting. Any experienced SWAN Moms / Dads able to help us out?? Diane

I also think that it's odd that they don't expect husbands to be present for the home visit. At any rate, since we are still in the contemplation process and haven't begun any paperwork, I'm reading with avid interest the details on everyone else's experiences with SWAN.

Thanks for responding to my post.. here is my update. still waiting for my clearances... I sent money orders and called the number and after 12 weeks they still have not been cashed... so needless to say I sent new money orders and more clearance forms... but other then that my homestudy is done and my worker is just waiting to send my papers to Delaware county children and youth services for them to finalize... but she needs the clearances first... other then that i have been searching and searching for my new child... but then in the same breathe I hate looking because I cant get my hopes up... :( so I am always feeling teased... but i have to admit that SWAN and my agency has been great... They have educated me alot at the pride classes and i feel like I can ask anything.. So basically I am very comfy with them.. and I think that is a great thing... Agency says by new yr I should have a child.. WOOOO HOOOOO... so wish me luck... wish the best for everyone else too... thanks Greta

Congratulations, Greta! It sounds like you're really on your way. You said in your earlier post that you're looking for a child age 4-10. Did you have any other stipulations? Gender preference? Race? Disability level? It does seem awfully fast if they think they'll have a child for you by New Years. What a great way to start 2005, for you and for the child.

Hi everyone, congrats on getting your home study started! And wish you the best of luck with SWAN! Well my story is got to have patience! We are trying to adopt for the last 2 years, and finally got a interview for a child next week! Can't wait! We are looking to adopt boy or girl up to age 11, suprisingly we are not looking for a infant and it took this long! I constantly look at the SWAN webite and Three Rivers adoption, and having my worker send my profile out. The key to Swan is having a great social worker to make it happen, and you need to be your own advocate for yourself! I recently switched agencies and now have a wonderful social worker! When you see a child on the website you are interested in, call their social worker, get some info, like where r they located, behavior problems, type of meds and so forth? Now if you are interested in younger children I woould look into foster adopt program, or international adoption1 Foreign adoption out for me, don't have the extra bucks! well good nite! Boston