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I am in the early stages of working with St Louis City Children's Division (DSS). The Family Development Specialist that I met with explained to me that there are two options when dealing with their agency - individuals are either foster parents or parents intending to adopt, but one cannot select both options. I am wondering if this is for all agencies in Missouri or just the one that I have contacted.
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This is absolutely not the case with all agencies! We got licensed through the county, (in southwest Missouri) but even the contracted agencies here do not have that restriction. Now you may decide you only want to adopt and not necessarily foster, but you would still have to be a licensed foster parent, because when a child is placed with you, it is technically as a foster placement because of the 6 month waiting period. Continue to check around if you are told you can only choose one or the other.
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I adopted through the Jefferson County Childrens Division and almost all of the agencies will tell you thats the rule. However; I've done it personally and seen it many times. You are a foster parent, but lots end up adopting their foster placements. However; we were told the first time we signed up that Foster to adopt was fine. 7 years later it wasn't (although that's exactly what happened) so I wouldn't let that discourage you. But if you express that to the caseworker they will know that you are interested in adoption.
When TT was put in to care I truly wanted her 1st mom to get herself together and get her kids back. That didn't happen I had a good feeling it wouldn't, but when the case worker asked if we'd adopt I told her we would but only if every opportunity to reunify was exhausted. She said great, I was hoping I didn't have to look for a "pre-adoptive home". However; if I would have said yes sooner, we would have been labeled "adopt only". It's silly. We did end up adopting but decided not to go through the very broken system again.