Can you do a straight adoption

In KY you CAN do a straight adopt, however, 2 years ago when we were going through the classes all of the list were closed for children aged 0 through 9. The lists were so long of people wanting to adopt those ages they had to close the list. Of course, I don't know what your state would be like. Best of luck.

We're checking into a child older than that, so I'm hoping. Multi-racial, I'm hoping will make a difference in their decision to help us pursue or not. Any advice from anyone is helpful. Thanks. Lisa

It's my understanding that you can take children who are legally free for adoption only, but they still have to be in your home as a "foster placement" for 6 months before you can finalize. That is what 2 of our fc's adoptive families did anyway.

Mo does allow straight adoption through the state.

What all is involved? I know nothing about domestic adoption. The child we are looking at is almost free. They are processing the TPR this month. Do we go through STARS and all that first or can we ask the child to be placed with us for Christmas?? Thanks again.

We straight adopted (after a 12 month wait) two boys, then ages 3 and 4 from Missouri. We needed to have a home study and an "interest sheet" that detailed what special needs we were approved for, what race, age etc of child we were available for. We applied and then waited. Then they would propose children that they wanted to know if we would consider. Then if yes, there would be a "staffing". A staffing is a meeting where the swers, foster parents, GAL, lawyer etc meet to pick the best available parents for the child. Shortly after that transition begins.

Do you know the foster-family? They probably will have a staffing for the child where they choose an adoptive family, and you could ask to be included, but you would have to have a completed home study. If you have adopted internationally already, you may just have to contact your agency you worked with to have an update and have them represent you in the staffing. In one of the staffings for on of our former fcs there was a family who was represented by a private agency. Sorry I can't be more helpful....I think I would start by trying to find out who the child's adoption worker is and go from there. If you don't get anywhere with that I would try getting ahold of your previous agency.

If you have not taken your classes or done your homestudy, Mo will not include you in a staffing unless they have no other interested families. I've found it's best to do the paperwork first and then start looking at kids.