I want to give a brief overview of the “Adoption Process”.

Rumor has it that the “process” is long and grueling; so I thought it would be beneficial for me to give some insight on what we have learned. Here’s a list of events which must be completed in order to have a child placed in your home in Contra Costa County (concurrent placement):

1. One parent must attend an orientation – the county usually has these meetings monthly. It is here that the foster/adoption process is presented by a social worker, there is also a chance to ask questions so I would recommend coming to this meeting prepared with any questions you may have. You will also receive some preliminary paperwork at this meeting.
2. Submit first packet of paperwork to the county – once they receive this, they will be sending lots more paperwork your way! You will also be assigned a county social worker at this point.
3. Get your Live Scan (digital fingerprinting) done for the county
4. Submit remaining paperwork to the county – when your county social worker receives all of you paperwork he/she will refer you to an adoption agency. Contra Costa County uses Lilliput. The adoption agency will then contact you (via mail), and assign you an adoption agency social worker who will mail out your first paperwork packet that the adoption agency needs completed.
5. Submit all paperwork to the adoption agency – there were a few different packets of paperwork that we had to fill out.
6. Have your employer fill out “Proof of Employment” form.
7. Both parents are required to get a physical and have the doctor fill out a “Doctors Report”.
8. Both parents are required to get a TB test.
9. Go back to the Live Scan place, and have a second one done – this time for the adoption agency. Don’t forget to moisturize your hands before going! Haha – unless you want to be doused in hand sanitizer in hopes of getting a fingerprint that the dumb machine can read!
10. Have your first in-home meeting with your adoption agency social worker.
11. Both parents must sign up for and complete 27 hours of PRIDE classes – parenting classes, which are helpful and a great way to network with other couples in your area who are going through the same process.
12. Get CPR certified.
13. Complete your home study – 4 in-home interviews with your adoption agency social worker.
14. Home inspection – which is last, but not least, and it is completed by your county social worker.
15. Complete 36 hours of HERITAGE Classes – Optional, but strongly recommended if you intend to foster/adopt a baby or child under 4. This step is not required for placement. The HERITAGE Classes focus on the care of and resources for drug or alcohol exposed and HIV+ babies.

I know that seems like a lot of stuff to do, but it has moved along pretty quickly for Joe and me! I have been pleasantly surprised with the organization of the county and ease of the process. We started the process in October and are on track to have our checklist complete by the end of April. 7 months is pretty quick if you ask me – you can’t even grow a baby in your belly that quickly! If all goes as scheduled, starting in May we could get a call for placement!

Soon I will share more about where Joe and I are in our “process”!

Until then,

xoxxox

Leeanne