I recently received an e-mail from an adoptive parent named Katrina. Her family is currently adopting a baby from San Diego County through an agency called
Angels Foster Family Network, and Katrina was kind enough to share some information about the process.
First, Katrina clarifies that, "Angels is a Foster Agency only." "These babies are not up for adoption yet, but about 50% of them do end up being placed for adoption. Once a baby has been in your home for at least 6 months they can stay with the foster family if they wish to adopt them, unless they are being reunified with their biological parents."
As far as placement time is concerned, Katrina says that, "One of the couples we went to training with did end up adopting their first placement. One of the couples went through 3 really difficult sibling sets that all went home and we had two other placements before we got this baby. We were lucky because they were very short placements. The 1st was only 5 days and she was 19 months old and the second was 1 month and she was 10 months old. The little one we are adopting right now was with us for 2 years before we know we would be able to adopt her. She actually went and spent weekends with her bio parents after living with us for over 18 months. I was also the one who visited with these parents every week for 5 hours with her. So, the mind set really needs to be that you are just loving and taking care of a baby until the courts decide what to do with them."
As many of you who have taken the foster parent training courses have learned, "Some of these babies have been severely abused." Katrina expressed that, "It can be hard to sit in a room with someone that hurt their child and know that they could go back to live with them. Last month there was a baby that had 21 broken bones. Our baby was taken away because her father had been shaking her. Angels does not take severe causes where they think the child won't be capable of normal life but some of these children have had a very rough start."
Katrina also noted that their is a financial assistance when going through the county, "It cost nothing after you are certified (which I think cost around $200.00) The State pays you. They pay $380.00/month plus gas and if the child is adopted, the State pays for everything and your child receives medicare and a monthly stipend until they reach 18."
"You can also be specific with Angels. You can say you only want an infant up to 6 months old, or that you are willing to take a
sib set that has a 2 year old and a baby. You can say you want only a certain race or sex too."
It is very important to note that ,"
Angels does not allow you to be involved with any other agencies at the time you are licensed with them."
Katrina concluded her e-mail by acknowledging that this is just one of many ways to unite families, and that people should prayerfully consider if this is the right choice for them.
"The thing about Angels is that sooner or later you will be able to adopt a baby. There is one family that tells their story where it took them 10 times. I guess you just really have to rely on faith that the one Heavenly Father wants you to have you will end up with. "
If you would like to learn more about Angels Foster Family Network, you can visit their website at
http://www.angelsfoster.com/.
Angels will also be holding an orientation meeting this week on
Wednesday, March, 3rd, (and the first Wednesday of each succeeding month) for anyone interested in learning more about joining Angels. The contact person is
Annika (619) 283-8100 x 221
Likewise, if you have any questions for Katrina, she would be happy to help. She can be contacted at
skmorrisss@yahoo.com.
