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saigemom
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| Posted: Nov 26 2008 at 8:08am | IP Logged
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I am having a hard time right now. We have 3 children. The youngest was adopted. He is amazing and I love him with my whole heart, but we have had issues with his bio family . Then we were getting ready to adopt again and the Baptist agency we were using got a new director that decided they would no longer work with Catholics.
Because of those things dh and I have decided to wait and to then adopt out of country. I just feel torn. I thought we would be getting to know the next child we were going to adopt by now and instead we will have to start over. Plus, we don't have the money to adopt out of country right now because of lawyer costs associated with the first adoption (fighting bios in court years later).
I am worried that we won't be able to get any grants for out of country because we are Catholic. Most places that do that are associated with Baptist ministries. I just feel so....I don't know.
I don't know if I am supposed to accept that this is not the time or fight harder because I truly feel this is something we are meant to do.
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BlessedBGod
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| Posted: Nov 26 2008 at 12:18pm | IP Logged
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Hey,
Well, I am right where you are as far as waiting for the next child. We foster-to-adopt and are between children. Right now, I am in the fight mode. I have been scouring every local states website for adoptable kids through AdoptUSKids. I got registered to adopt through the state and then through the whole country. I even looked into adopting Native American children (which takes a miserable amount of time) and embryo adoption. (The EWTN website said it's not against the Faith and is way cheaper than IVF -which is not acceptable by the Faith. $4000 through Snowflake and Bethany Children's Services) :) I spoke with the head of the foster department and frequently call the placement social worker. It's on my mind too much though, perhaps. I am definitely in fight mode though. If I were you, I would keep at it. It takes so long from beginning to the end to adopt that you might as well get started. Did you look through the local diocesan Catholic Charities? I didn't realize Catholics were being snubbed through Baptist agencies. That's not right. I'll look around for some good Catholic agencies for you. Some of the moms on here could probably suggest some for you. You are in my prayers. -BlessedBGod JMJ
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Lisa R
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| Posted: Nov 26 2008 at 4:40pm | IP Logged
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My girls are adopted from China. Hannah has been home for 2 years and Rachel just 8 months. It was a long process and yes, costly, (we actually sold our home to pay for both adoptions) but so, so worth it. 
I'll be praying for you.
I actually believe in the "fight harder" option. Keep going through doors until God closes them (and then look for windows  )
__________________
God Bless!
Lisa, married to my best friend, Ray and loving my blessings Joshua (17)and Jacob(15), Hannah(7) and Rachel (5)!Holy Family Academy
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mavmama
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| Posted: Nov 26 2008 at 8:40pm | IP Logged
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Lisa R wrote:
It was a long process and yes, costly, (we actually sold our home to pay for both adoptions) but so, so worth it.
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I'm glad to hear we weren't the only ones who did this. Where we are now is so expensive and it is the one reason why we aren't able to adopt right now. We are praying to be able to do it again before we "age out" of the program (our kids are from India). this is a crazy time for this post to come up, as I've been getting a lot of adoption vibes lately, from a lot of different areas. I'll pray for you--it's hard.
__________________
Liz
Blessed by 4 wonders
dd11, dd911, ds9, ds8
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Nov 26 2008 at 8:47pm | IP Logged
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I'm praying with much empathy. I'm not even a year into this process and it already feels very loooooooooooooong.
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
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saigemom
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| Posted: Nov 28 2008 at 4:46pm | IP Logged
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I appreciate all prayers coming my way  I really feel called to do this and to fight for it. Sometimes I question things when doors keep closing though. I tend to be headstrong and I don't want my will to be more important than God's.
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BlessedBGod
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| Posted: Dec 01 2008 at 7:28am | IP Logged
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Here's a list of links for grant money and loans for adopting parents. I don't know if you've seen this page yet. MrsGranola from this board, sent me an e-mail with a request from Christian Adoption Services saying they desperately need families for bi-racial children and African-American children, if you are interested. It's a non-profit organization but I am sure the prices are still steep compared with adopting through social services. It would be much cheaper than a lot of adoption agencies though, I would think. I couldn't find prices. The website is Christianadoptionservices.org if you are interested.
Financing Your Adoption
Numerous options are available for families who desire to adoption a child but do not have sufficient resources to cover all associated costs.
Organizations for Adoption Financial Assistance Name Description Information
China Care Foundation Grants, loans and medical assistance for China adoptions www.chinacare.org or call 203.861.6395
National Adoption Foundation Grants from $400 to $4,000 Loans also available www.nafadopt.org or call 203.791.3801
Gift of Adoption Fund Grants for adoption completion $2,000 to $5,000 www.giftofadoption.org or call 877.905.2367
Abba Fund Interest free loans www.abbafund.org or call 888.775.3422 or julie@abbafund.org
The Lydia Fund Grants for overseas fees and expenses (Christian married couples only) www.lydiafund.org or call 612.338.7653 ext. 345
A Child Waits Foundation Low cost loans for adoption completion – maximum of $10,000 www.achildwaits.org or call 866.999.2445
Love Knows No Borders Assists singles/couples Send self-addressed envelope with 2 stamps for info PO Box 350 Monroe, Connecticut 06468
Cadman Foundation Fundraising and grants (Christian married couples only) www.cadmanfoundation.org or call 877.223.6268
Caroline's Promise Married Christian couples in NC www.carolinespromise4u.org or call 336.993.9046
A Child's Desire Grants for special needs and over age 8 www.achildsdesire.org or call 318.354.1229
Ava's Hope Married couples adopting internationally www.avashope.org
Founding Family Grants for domestic & international adoptions www.foundingfamily.org or call 615.620.4372
Gift of Adoption Fund Grants www.giftofadoption.org
God's Grace Adoption Ministry Grants for Christian married couples earning less than $60,000 www.ggam.org
Home for Good Foundation Free Christian based fundraising materials www.hfgf.org
I Care Foundation Financial assistance for international adoptions www.intlcare.org
Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries Grants and fundraising info www.kingdomkidsadoption.org
Life International Matching grants and loans for Christian families www.lifeintl.org
National Endowment for Financial Education Book on making adoption affordable www.smartaboutmoney.org/nefe/u ploadfiles/AdoptionOption
Promise the Children Singles and couples adopting internationally www.promisethechildren.org
Shaohannah's Hope Grants up to $7,000 (Christian families only) www.shaohannahshope.com or call 800.784.53617
Shepherd's Crook Ministries Fundraising assistance to families adopting waiting child www.theshepherdscrook.org
Seas of Faces Foundation Grants to Christian married family adopting from developing country www.seaoffaces.org
The Hucke Foundation Grants for specific international children www.huckefoundation.org
Christian Adoption Services, Inc. is not affiliated with nor endorses any of these organizations. These resources are provided as a starting point for prospective adoptive families when seeking financial assistance
Tax Credits
A significant federal adoption tax credit may be available for many families; however families should consult a tax professional for details regarding this alternative. 8839 Instructions and 8839 Form – Qualified Adoption Expenses, downloaded by clicking on the underlined words.
Many states also offer adoption tax credits.
Military Subsidies
The military normally reimburses active duty personnel for one-time adoption expenses up to $2000.00. The reimbursement applies to the adoption of an international child or a domestic infant or waiting child. Reimbursable fees include adoption related fees including placement fees, fees for birth parent counseling, legal fees and court costs, and medical expenses, including hospital expenses. Reimbursement is made only after the adoption is finalized and only if the adoption was completed through a state adoption agency or a non-profit private adoption agency.
http://www.militaryadoption.com/
Employer Subsidies
Many businesses provide adoption benefits to their employees that may include paid leave or personal days, unpaid leave, medical expenses of the birth mother, seminars, classes, or counseling before and after placement. It is also becoming more common for companies to offer financial assistance (some up to $10,000!!), to defray the cost of adoption. Check with your employer to determine what benefits may apply.
Check out http://adopting.org/employer.html, http://www.adoptionbenefits.com/ or http://abanet.org/family/advocate/sp97tax.html for important details.
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saigemom
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| Posted: Dec 04 2008 at 10:10am | IP Logged
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BlessedBGod,
Wow! Thanks for all of the info.
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Waverley
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| Posted: Dec 04 2008 at 8:13pm | IP Logged
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Saigemom,
I don't know if you would be interested but being a foster family can be a wonderful journey. We have been foster parents for about 10 years. We only take infants birth to 6 months. It has been a blessing to care for these children and mentor their parents. Although the goal of foster care is to reunite children with their birth parents, sometimes children are not able to be reunited with a birth parent or family member. We have adopted 3 of our foster children.
If you would like to talk further, you can post here or pm me.
Blessings on your journey!
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BlessedBGod
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| Posted: Jan 29 2009 at 7:41am | IP Logged
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Hi Moms,
This was on one of the Foster Parent Boards today so I instant messaged this woman. I'm not sure how authentic it is but it's worth looking into. Enjoy!
Wonderful alternative to foster-adopt
Hi,
Just wanted to pass this along for those who haven't been able to adopt from foster care.... We found an international adoption agency that waives the adoption fee for adopting older children (ie age 3+ for 2 boys (sibs), or age 5+ for one boy or boy/girl sibs.) The only thing we will pay is Immigration processing, home study, and travel. This is a well-known, big agency with lots of experience and great staff. Feel free to PM me for details. I know what it's like to want children and to be denied... finding this agency has been an answer to our prayers.
Julie
hi,
It's WACAP. Their website is at www.wacap.org and click on Waiting Children.
They have a 'Promise Child' program where adoption fees are waived (they have donors.)
I had heard of WACAP years ago, but the fit is right for us now (we had done foster care for a few years.). Wacap just started an Ethiopia program in 2007, and we're hoping for 2 boys, age 3 to 6. We're very excited!
They also have Promise Children in Russia, China, and Kazakastan.
I just wanted to pass the word along!
Julie
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RyaneM
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Yes, it is absolutely authentic!
WACAP is a very well respected agency. They have a private donor that has sponsored all these "harder to place" kids so the cost for potential adoptive parents is very low. We are not using them for our ET adoption, but only because they were very new to ET when we started the process. It is definitely worth looking into if you would consider an older child, siblings or a sn child. WACAP also offers their adoptive parents no interest loans I think.
Something to think about for those interested in adopting.
__________________
Ryane in NY
Mama to ds (3/05), ds(1/09) and dd (4/10)
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Topic: adoption
