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I'm hoping to find someone that has experienced this before. We were matched in Sept. with a child in TX. Our homestudy was dated Nov. 05. Last Friday I got a packet from our agency that said the receiving state will not approve ICPC because between the time of staffing and when TX ICPC got to us we expired. They want me to "update" my homestudy. Agency is closed until Jan. 2, and child's worker is out until 28th or 29th. The note said "get this all done as soon as you can". I can't believe they didn't call when they found out (they have my cell #, and their office is less than a mile from mine).
The expense of updating a homestudy is something I hadn't planned on, especially finding out 3 days before Christmas. Do you think there is any way the sending state can work this out with the receiving state. The child has no idea a family has been found for him, but has been asking his worker about it. I'd love to call him and say "hang tight little buddy! We're working on it!", but can't.
Sorry this is so long. I'd appreciate it if anyone could share some knowledge!
Generally, a homestudy update will be a short visit to discuss any changes to the original and doesn't cost nearly as much as doing the whole thing from scratch. However, some thing that might take some time are getting annual background checks done if that is what your state requires. Take a deep breath, take it slow and do whatever you have to do to get things straight and things should all go well. Your home study agency should have started working on the update prior to it expiring...
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Remember that after finalization you will receive what is called a nonrecurring reimbursement. Different states have different amounts that they will reimburse you. You can go to [url=http://www.nacac.org]NACAC | North American Council on Adoptable Children[/url] and find out what the sending state will permit. Texas has a 1500 dollar cap per child.