are all the agencies in Arizona [PHoenix area] the same?

Gee, it seems that they covered all of that in the Orientation meeting we went to. It is probably best to go directly to the people doing the work. We are going through Christian Family Care Agency. We tried a different one before, but the gal we were working with was being promoted and was very hands-off and gave poor information. This is a real important step and you should get your answers from the professionals right away. Mama Michelle

does the Christian Family Care Agency handle single older parents as well. I am 48 and would like to adopt but I dont' want to be looked down at if I go to an agency.

I went with AASK and I am now licensed to foster a sibling group of 2. I am just waiting for the family specialist to call.

Have been assigned a family specialist now waiting on my first placement. Been called for about 10 different children but none have actually made it to my home. Don't get me wrong I am happy for the children if they are safe, loved, and happy. But I do want children in myhome

I am now certified to adopt and licesed to foster care I have had several almost foster placements. I spend all the time visiting and getting to know the chldren then just before they are to move in something happens. I now have a chance to go to red file for a boy and girl sibling group. Problem is the girl was sexually abused and has acted out on younger children. She is in therapy. In class I thought they said that you will not get an other placement if you have sexually abused child expecially if they act out. But I am looking to start a family of abut 4 to 6 children. I come from a large family (youngest of 11). I like large families. Each time I contact the family specialist I expalin why I am concerned that I want to be a repeat adopter and don't want something like adopting a sexually abused child stop me. But she does't really do anything except ask where did I hear I coudln't adopt or foster again if I adopt a sexually abused child. I told th MAPP classes and then I hear nothing from her. Then she send an email saying how cute the kid are. That is great but I am worried about what is the chances of the child adopting my young neices/nephews and that i can adopt again. Sorry long post

One thing I like to say to you is mapp- training gives only a small idea what kids you may be dealing with. Reality is different With this said. Now you can still adoped other children, but you have to make sure that you keep close watch on the girl and make sure she is not left alone with children younger then her age and does not share a bedroom with another child younger or older. I would not worry to much unless you are not sure that you can tolerate such behavior. :cowboy:

But I am hoping to adopt other children in the future. Younger probably as she is at the top of my age range. But I do have younger children coming to my home all the time.

Hello, We have had success adopting out of state. The average wait time for families is 4-6 months. The state of AZ is (sadly) so understaffed and years behind how other states are managing their adoption programs. With out of state adoptions you are in the drivers seat and inquire only on children and sibling groups that you feel best meet your needs rather than waiting on a 'registry'. If you would like more information my email is: sxshirey@srpnet.com Good Luck !! "A hundred years from now it will not matter what your bank account was, or the kind of car you drove...but the world may be different because you were important in the life of a child." Kathy Davis

please send more info to [URL="msjazy@gmail.com"]msjazy@gmail.com[/URL]

I know this is really old but for others that might come across it with similar questions... No. There are basic legal requirements that ALL agencies must follow, but then agencies can set additional rules over and above those based on their philosophy. Yes. All agencies are notified by CPS of the children needing placement each day. The pool of children needing homes does not vary by agency. They all have the same pool of children - newborn to 18. Yes and no. The old idea of fost/adopt, meaning you get a foster placement that you know is going to turn into an adoptive placement 100% doesn't really exist anymore. Foster parents are usually given the first opportunity (after relatives of course) to adopt if a child does need an adoptive placement, but you don't necessarily know that at the time of placement. Reunification is almost always the first case plan. That said, not all agencies are able to do adoption certifications or conversions. If you want to be in the adoption registry then make sure you pick an agency that does adoptions. If you foster and then choose to adopt, another agency can do the conversion. Agencies differ based on services they provide (some have counseling, some do private as well as state adoption, etc), their philosophy, religious affiliations, demographics they do or do not work with, and so on. You'll have a hard time determining "fairly healthy" particularly when it comes to foster placements. Agencies aren't typically given a lot of info when placements are first made. And if you adopt through the registry then you can expect that the children waiting for homes have some behaviors, medical needs, developmental needs, etc. that have unfortunately been hard to place them with an adoptive home. Right now most of the kids legally free for adoption and without an adoptive resource in Arizona are at least 10 years old. Most of the kids under 10 are fortunate enough to be placed in foster homes from the start and often times the foster parents end up adopting them. You can't. You can only be certified or licensed with one agency, period. Once you are licensed your file goes in the same registry or pool of homes as every other agency, so there's no reason to think you'd even need to be working with multiple agencies. I hope that helps! Definitely look for a KIDS Orientation to attend - they'll answer a lot of questions for you. The schedule can be found on the DES website under Foster Care & Adoption.

:flower: I have been a ADH provider since 04/2007. I have only had 1 placement since being licensed. From 02/08 thru 09/30/08. It has been hard finding a placement thru our Agency. We may get 1 profile a month and I was wondering is this going on with other agencies thoughout the united states? I was considering changing agencies that have more on hands with the state system. Does anyone have any response or help. There is always another avenue to approach:flower: :wings: