So what happens next?

A lot of people have been asking me what happens next in our process.

The process of our adoption is a lot like the matchmaking and courting process if you had a matchmaker and chaperones! 

Our Caseworker, Erika, will look for potential matches for us, we can also look on the PAE website, and once we find one/many she'll make inquiries with the child(ren)s caseworker(s), sending our "cover letter" and following up with the Worker as needed.

If the child's caseworker likes us, we'll be called in for an interview.

If that goes well, then we meet the child or children in a public place with many caseworkers and social workers to see how it goes.

After a few meetings we'll probably have an over night or weekend with the kids at our home.

If things continue to go well then we move onto moving the child(ren) into our home. Then technically we'll be foster parents for at least 6 months, feeling things out on both ends - the child's, the caseworkers, and our own. Once we get through the "honeymoon" period (at least 6 months) and everyone, including child, us, and all the caseworkers are comfortable, we'll move to finalize the adoption. 

Check List

Our Family Profile is being written! We "passed" our home study/house walk through, which was a cake walk. Everything is progressing nicely. This weekend Paul and I are going to get some pre-adoption pictures taken with the lovely Katya which should be fun!


Once our Family Profile is written, and signed off by us, we begin looking for matches! 

We also have to write a paragraph about "How has your life experiences prepared you to provide permanency to a child with special needs?" and our Letter - which is like a cover letter for caseworkers - it has pictures, a little bit of information about us and our caseworkers contact information. 
These 2 items are in the works, and I am excited about all of it!