Adoption through DHS (long)

I just felt that the Lord was laying this on my heart to share..... I would like to encourage everyone thinking of adopting to consider adopting through the Department of Human (or Family) Services. There are so many children out there in the system that need homes, need families, need love most of all. These are children who have been taken from their homes due to abuse, neglect, etc. and may never have known a loving home before. No, you probably won't get a newborn, and yes, you will probably have to help the child deal with emotional trauma of their past, but let me tell you, it is worth it. To give a child love, family and shelter is a wonderful thing. Some if not most of these children have never experienced such things. Another plus is that is costs very little. Our total cost for our adoption was less than $100 -- $30 for birth certificates, and $40 for CPR classes. I am an adoptive mother of two beautiful little girls that were placed for adoption by the DHS after they were horribly neglected. I won't go into details, but suffice to say that it was a bad situation. When I got them, they were 2 and 3 years old, and both of them wore size 6-9 mo. in pants and a 12 mo. in tops. They were so pitifully tiny. They are now 4 and 5, and they are still small for their age, but they have grown so much! Now they wear a 3T in pants and a 5/6 top. Just a little example of what a little love and devotion can do. I love these girls as much as if they were born to me, and I can't remember a time without them. They are such a blessing to me. To anyone considering adoption, I just ask that you give this some thought before spending thousands of dollars on a "perfect" child.

I totally agree with you. We adopted a sibling group of 4 in 2001. There are definately some rough times around here, but when I see the love my kids have in their eyes now, I wouldn't change it for the world.

I adopted 3 kids through NJ's DHS. I even get a stiphon for them becasue they were hard to place kids becasue they were black and older and a sibling group of 3. I have had them 7 years. They are now 12, 11 and 10 and I have a 3 year old of my own.

Our girls are also African American.

I am glad I found this forum! My Husband and I are beginning the journey to foster care and adoption. I am very excited! I hope that I can help out with a child that needs a home. Besides I don't have all that money to go get a child from somewhere else. There are many kids here in the Texas system that could benefit from my taking them in and I from them. Are any of you foster parents? If so how has the road to becoming a foster parent been? Is it long? Thanks, Margie

good ?.. I would like to know as well. My wife and I are considering Adoption here in NC. Is it a long road? Nitro

Hi Everyone, I am not an expert but adoption is my passion. My husband and I refinanced our home and were able to adopt an infant from Arizona, worth every penny!!!!!!!!!! I do have a couple of friends that aren't as fortunate to have the money to do this and are going through the foster care system. I do know that if you are willing to adopt older children or siblings the wait is not as long. There are so many older children out there that would make wonderful children. I've tried to talk my husband into a little girl but he says he is too old, 46. Our little one keeps us constantly on the go as well as my two older step sons 15 & 18 yrs. old. I pray for all these children every night and wish that each and every one of them could find a family. Every one deserves a family!!! I don't know if this has helped or not but if you have any questions feel free to email me and we can chat! mary

Hi Nitro Mike, I've been reading your posts on the BAF forum. I am also a foster/adoptive mom. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have! Please email me.

cool.. I will shot you some questions sometime this weekend hopefully. The weekend is always busy Talk to you soon. Nitro

I'm a foster parent! In my state (IL) it involved an 8 hour training class, background check, interview and home visit. There was also a HUGE long application. It's a tough job sometimes but mostly it's rewarding... I'd highly reccommend it!