San Diego County Questions

My recommendation would be to go to all 3 Agency No Cost Orientations, and then make a Agency choice or decision. I need some clarification on what you define as advantages and disadvantages please?? What are your expectations of Foster Care and the Agency's Role also please?? In California as a State Unit Advocacy. The Advocacy of under 10 years old is Reunification with Birth Family. Fostering gives you first choice. If there is no Birth Family? Fostering also gives you first choice ahead of all of the other Adoptive Families in California!!

Thanks for the reply! By advantages and disadvantages I mainly mean are there more children available with private agencies since they have locations out of state and county. Do they offer different resources post-adoption?I don't have any issues with fostering except for a preference to foster children more likely to be released for adoption.I would want the agency to offer classes for parenting children with behavioral health issues etc. What do you mean by advocacy under 10 years old? I understand reunification is generally the goal. What does this mean for sibling groups?In the photolistings of children free for adoption in California, I don't see a single listing for San Diego. I see plenty in Los Angeles and Orange county. This is why I wonder if you go through the county if you end up more limited on available children. I don't know how much they assist with adoptions within the state.Thank you!!

Thanks for the reply! By advantages and disadvantages I mainly mean are there more children available with private agencies since they have locations out of state and county. Do they offer different resources post-adoption? I don't have any issues with fostering except for a preference to foster children more likely to be released for adoption. I would want the agency to offer classes for parenting children with behavioral health issues etc. What do you mean by advocacy under 10 years old? I understand reunification is generally the goal. What does this mean for sibling groups? In the photolistings of children free for adoption in California, I don't see a single listing for San Diego. I see plenty in Los Angeles and Orange county. This is why I wonder if you go through the county if you end up more limited on available children. I don't know how much they assist with adoptions within the state. Thank you!!

Out of State is very complex in Adoption process!! Most Kids also either prefer to or have Birth Contacts in their Home State also in Advocacy of staying in the Home State. Reunification is the same with any Sibling Group. As it is with an Individual or Solo Child. There are also more Adoptive Families. Than there are children to Adopt!! What we would look at from a Parents experience is what services are provided by each Agency? Some offer Mentoring Programs. Some offer Theraputic Services. Some the Adoption Stipend is a little more higher than other Agencies. You do have to attend Foster Parenting Classes before placement as a 'Given'. I would also highly recommend going to each Agencies Orientation?? The Kids in Los Angeles and Orange County have been on Photolistings for years!! San Diego's Photolistings are quite current in comparison!! You do have to 'jump on them though' in speed!! Case Management, for San Diego County is 'Stellar' and 'State of the Art' in her Advocacy!! All 3 are Advocative mainly of Hispanic Children with zero Family ties,

Thanks Noah, Walden is basically down the street from us, so we'll start with the county and Walden. I did notice some of the same children from a few years ago in Los Angeles! I'm glad San Diego has got it together! I suppose we will start with fostering then. I am about to start nursing school, so I think we'll stick to school aged kids for about two years. Also, I am 39 and my husband is 53. Do you think we should be concerned? We don't really want a newborn anyway. Also, we are interested in Hispanic children! Thanks for the help. I think I will give Walden a call today!

I would also ask about, and comparison Respite Services!! I am not trying to be rude or sarstastic, but since you asked??? Are you and your husband both on the same page relatively with Fostering to Adopt?? Does he have any issues or quandrys that you are unaware of??

Yes, my husband is on the same page. We've been talking about it for several years. :) Yes, respite care would be a GOOD question. I called the county and Walden today and filled out the pre-application with Olive Crest. The county has a waiting list for orientation. I was surprised! Only 1 month. We're scheduled for June!

Yes, my husband is on the same page. We've been talking about it for several years. :) Yes, respite care would be a GOOD question. I called the county and Walden today and filled out the pre-application with Olive Crest. The county has a waiting list for orientation. I was surprised! Only 1 month. We're scheduled for June!

I don't know why my quick replies keep popping up twice. I wish I could delete them.

Way to Go 'Mama' !!

We have not adopted yet but have gotten licensed with goals similar to yours. Initially we thought about private agencies but heard some bad things about one (through PMs on this forum) and decided to stick with the county. I must confess though - I don't understand the role a private agency plays in adopting from the foster system. Like what children could they place that the county couldn't/wouldn't. I am totally confused about the private agencies. Anyhow...What we were told is that there are more people wanting to adopt than children, even sibling sets, waiting for adoption. They said expect to wait about 12 to 18 months.With "concurrent planning" you start as a foster parent but the goal is adoption so they should only place children they *think* will be released for adoption, howeverWhile the law says they want to terminate parental rights and have the children adopted in 6 to 18 months (I think) for some reason in the last year or so, I hear that judges have started extending this period, giving more and more chances to birth parents who still aren't doing what they need to do. This is just hearsay but it is from case workers.Once you get licensed, the county puts your file in the back of the drawer. When kids come up for placement they pull from the front of the drawer and look at the criteria potential parents specified. If you are a match for the kids they send your file, and a few others, off to the case workers for the children. They read through those and then approach parents they think would be the best match.Through that process, your file slowly works its way to the front of the drawer.I too have heard good things about San Diego county and have had good experiences so far though it is taking literally, years. (Part of that is due to our specifications.)I have no idea (but am curious) what happens different with private agencies.Good luck and I'll watch this thread to hear what happens for you and to see what others say.

We have not adopted yet but have gotten licensed with goals similar to yours. Initially we thought about private agencies but heard some bad things about one (through PMs on this forum) and decided to stick with the county. I must confess though - I don't understand the role a private agency plays in adopting from the foster system. Like what children could they place that the county couldn't/wouldn't. I am totally confused about the private agencies. Anyhow... What we were told is that there are more people wanting to adopt than children, even sibling sets, waiting for adoption. They said expect to wait about 12 to 18 months. With "concurrent planning" you start as a foster parent but the goal is adoption so they should only place children they *think* will be released for adoption, however While the law says they want to terminate parental rights and have the children adopted in 6 to 18 months (I think) for some reason in the last year or so, I hear that judges have started extending this period, giving more and more chances to birth parents who still aren't doing what they need to do. This is just hearsay but it is from case workers. Once you get licensed, the county puts your file in the back of the drawer. When kids come up for placement they pull from the front of the drawer and look at the criteria potential parents specified. If you are a match for the kids they send your file, and a few others, off to the case workers for the children. They read through those and then approach parents they think would be the best match. Through that process, your file slowly works its way to the front of the drawer. I too have heard good things about San Diego county and have had good experiences so far though it is taking literally, years. (Part of that is due to our specifications.) I have no idea (but am curious) what happens different with private agencies. Good luck and I'll watch this thread to hear what happens for you and to see what others say.