The last option for LDS families we’ll discuss is adoption through a state foster-to-adopt program, which is administered by the state Department of Health and Human Services. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll use Utah’s guidelines as an example, but be aware that requirements vary a bit from state to state. If you’d like to learn more about your state’s specific requirements, you can do an Internet search for your state and “foster parent.”

In most cases, once you’ve expressed an interest in being a foster-adopt parent, you’ll fill out some preliminary screening paperwork and sometimes have an in-person interview with a representative of the foster care department. After this screening,... more

Some adoptee issues seem very unique to me. Other times being adopted may only exaccerbate problems and make them more difficult. The issues that many adoptees face as I see them are as follows:

1. Connecting with others - I do not think by any means that it is impossible for adoptees to connect with others. However, I believe that sometimes it is harder for them to do so. Many adoptees have told me this is the case. Certainly non-adoptees have similar issues, however, I think this issue is more common among adoptees. 2. Loss - Some adoptees... more

2006 has been a year full of hope for me as far as adoption goes. For me personally, it has been a satisfying year as I have spend vast amounts of time and energy in the adoption commmunity.

Here are some highlights:

1) My blogging experience here at adoptionblogs.com has provided me with a healthy outlet to write about many of my views on adoption. A side benefit for me has been the opportunity to meet many other talented, witty and warm bloggers that I have gotten to know a bit. Their friendships have been an unexpected bonus. My... more

Continued from last post.....

In my last post I talked about some of my favorite and important subjects I blogged about in 2006.

One of the subjects needing discussion is the nature vs nuture. When should children be taken away from bio-family and under what circumstances should they be pulled from foster family to be reunited.

Each case is different of course.

In one well publicized case the bio-grandparents said about their child living in foster care:

"Sure, they fell in love with him, and I'm happy for that … (but) blood belongs with blood," said Dawn Kurtz of Grosse Ile. "I will lay my life on the line for him and so will Papa."

... more

Each year teaches us something different and I have learned many life lessons as a result of the events in my personal life in 2006 and some of the life lessons have been re-affirmed and re-taught.

As a result of the deaths of my mother in law and brother in law in a two month time frame, I have learned to take nothing for granted, to live each moment and make it count, and to spend as much time with family and friends as possible. Coinciding... more

In July of 2006, we met and visited our daughters in Haiti for the first time. I kept a journal of our trip and would like to share it here. I woke up so nervous this morning. I even felt a sense of dread. I did not want to go. I was exhausted from my week of cleaning and doing laundry. I was worried about my kids and how they would fare. I was concerned about the stress I was inflicting upon loved ones who so kindly volunteered to watch our kids. I just didn't feel like going to Haiti today.

On... more

Continued from Overview of Steps in Haitian Adoption--Part One...

When your file has exited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, it will then be prepared for submittal to IBESR. IBESR is Haiti’s Social Services Department. An IBESR social worker will review your file (with your child’s information), and decide whether or not to approve of the adoption. (The director of IBESR, the IBESR lawyer, the head of adoption services at IBESR, and the IBESR social worker must all sign off on your dossier.) This process has traditionally taken the longest time to accomplish. However, there is a new... more

Almost 18 years ago I visited Guatemala with my youth group as a 14 year old kid. We spent a week in the small town of Palencia painting desks and refurbishing a small school in this one road little mountain village. It was an awesome time in my life and one that eventually led to the adoption of our precious Guatemalan Princess Mia. Palencia has a special place in my heart though most of you will never know where it is. Our time in Guatemala back in 1989 held some danger with it as the 36 year war in Guatemala was... more

Once you have compiled your adoption dossier, you will most likely send it to your agency. They will review your dossier to make sure everything is in order. They will then get it translated and will send it out to be authenticated. Some agencies require that the adoptive parent(s) take care of this process, so be sure to find out from your agency how they go about it.

When the dossier is translated and authenticated, it will be sent to your agency’s contact in Haiti. Once the dossier is received in Haiti, and most likely reviewed by Haitian staff, the adoptive parent(s) will be ready to accept a referral. Some agencies will refer waiting children prior to the dossier being complete.... more

I had wondered why I had connected in some way to this mother. I felt something that I had not with other bio mothers. I truly wanted this mother to change her life for her daughter, love her enough to do that. I am not saying that I wanted my other foster children mothers to fail. This was just so different. I felt that I was looking into what could have been. I will try and explain. I was adopted as a baby with my half sister. CPS was going to remove me after I was born due a lot of reasons. My bio mother was involved with drugs, men, alcoholic, and no telling what else. People were doing drugs, etc in the house that her children lived. The older children (siblings and cousins) were... more