First post of my first blog! I wanted to create a blog describing my experiences with the whole adoption process in the state of Florida. Since I'm doing it through the state (instead of private agencies) it is free to adopt! Every state is different and has different steps, but if you google "explore adoption" you will find all of the information for Florida. The website makes it seem so easy. I'm going to share our journey and see if it really is smooth sailing.
I liked what I heard about Florida's adoption process so far. Here are some of the awesome things that I learned:
1.) Adoption is little to NO cost!! Most minor costs will be reimbursed by the state.
2.) Legally secure. All children available for adoption by the state have no more legal connections with the birth parents. The birth parents will not be able to reclaim their biological children.
3.) Possible monthly financial support.
4.) Eligible for Medicaid until the age of 18
5.) Wonderful community support group
6.) Eligible for a 4-year college scholarship.
Sounds wonderful! They say the first step is the phone call to register for an orientation class. I started the new year by making the call (Jan. 4). I had my first eye-opener. There is no united organization for the state of Florida or the city of Miami. I called the number given and was led to a new number to call, which brought me to someone's voicemail (no one returns calls), called a different number given and was redirected again. I called at least five different numbers and finally was able to speak to a man who informed me that his agency was already full of interested parents and has no more room. The next available date for an orientation MIGHT be in June. But he did give me one more number to try. It was a different agency called The Children's Home Society. I called and they quickly signed us up for the next orientation meeting (Jan. 26).
Lesson #1: Everything is run by individual (government funded) agencies with their own schedules and agendas. Don't give up...be persistent!
