APPLICATION

[ElizabethAnn 690]

In answer to your question, Cathy, applicants can send two separate checks at once if they wish to send in the application and the orientation registration request in one envelope, however, processing is only done upon receipt of the necessary fee (and regrettably, we are not able to accept one check for both fees, since the application fee is deposited at the time that processing is done, but the orientation fee is not deposited until such time as a reservation is confirmed.) Hope this helps.

[Brian and Cathy 0]

In answer to your question, Cathy, applicants can send two separate checks at once if they wish to send in the application and the orientation registration request in one envelope, however, processing is only done upon receipt of the necessary fee (and regrettably, we are not able to accept one check for both fees, since the application fee is deposited at the time that processing is done, but the orientation fee is not deposited until such time as a reservation is confirmed.) Hope this helps.

Thanks, Elizabeth. I only sent one check for the application fee. I did send in the orientation request form, but only put a note on it about sending in a separate check if (hopefully) we are approved and invited to orientation. I hope this is not a problem should (hopefully) we be approved and invited.

Cathy

P.S. Sorry for being impatient today, but I really wanted to get our application in the mail since I had time today.

P.P.S. Okay, okay. . .I should have been patient today. I just realized I forgot to include the photos we took of our home. Guess you could say "sugar smacks," but that's not what I said to myself when I realized I left these out :angry: Package two is on it's way tomorrow

Edited June 16, 2007 by Brian and Cathy

[Brian and Cathy 0]

Mona confirmed that both of our packets had been received Thank you, Mona However, I didn't ask her to confirm that all three of our references had been received :angry: I know one has been, but I'm not sure about the other two

Cathy

[Adam & Beth 3]

I didn't ask her to confirm that all three of our references had been received

They received our references just fine when we applied, but what I later learned was that per the Texas requirements for adoption, we had to also have 3 reference letters sent directly to the attention of our case worker for our homestudy.

So, you may want to give your references a heads up to save a copy of the letter (or be prepared to write another in the future) as they will need to also address a copy to the attention of whoever conducts your homestudy, assuming you use the same references. We were caught a bit by surprise on that step as we thought the 3 references sent to Abrazo were sufficient for that requirement. Further review shows that Abrazo requires 3 and the State of Texas requires 3, individually.

-Adam

[Brian and Cathy 0]

So, you may want to give your references a heads up to save those copies of the letter as they will need to also address a copy to the attention of whoever conducts your homestudy (provided you use the same references).

-Adam

Adam, thank you for the heads up! I didn't think about that, but am glad you said something

Cathy

[ElizabethAnn 690]

They received our references just fine when we applied, but what I later learned was that per the Texas requirements for adoption, we had to also have 3 reference letters sent directly to the attention of our case worker for our homestudy.

Actually: to clarify, your homestudy worker is supposed to conduct 3 reference checks personally as part of the homestudy being done for Abrazo, so this would not necessitate that you provide her the same 3 reference letters that were provided to Abrazo with your application, only three names and contact information, so she/he can interview them directly, thereby corroborating the information/opinions that your written references have already conveyed to our agency.

[Adam & Beth 3]

Thanks for the clarification E!

(p.s.: I hope you and the kids are enjoying your vacation time with your dad )

-A

[Brian and Cathy 0]

Actually: to clarify, your homestudy worker is supposed to conduct 3 reference checks personally as part of the homestudy being done for Abrazo, so this would not necessitate that you provide her the same 3 reference letters that were provided to Abrazo with your application, only three names and contact information, so she/he can interview them directly, thereby corroborating the information/opinions that your written references have already conveyed to our agency.

Thanks for the clarification, Elizabeth. We will hold off on the homestudy until we learn whether or not we are approved by ABRAZO Of course, we are hoping we will be approved so we can proceed with our dream

Cathy

[dee 7]

Our social worker required 3 separate letters of recommendation to be sent to him. The same 3 people could write the letters but the letters could not be the same exact ones that were sent to Abrazo. That might have already been said somewhere..................

[Brian and Cathy 0]

Our social worker required 3 separate letters of recommendation to be sent to him. The same 3 people could write the letters but the letters could not be the same exact ones that were sent to Abrazo.

Interesting

Thanks for the additional information

Cathy

[Don&Andrea 0]

Ummm, just a suggestion Cathy, but you could go ahead and get started on that homestudy. You'll need it to move forward with any adoption agency you decide to work with and if you do get invited to orientation, you may want the homestudy done or at least in progress. You know, it has happened that people have had placements right after orientation!

Good luck!

[Brian and Cathy 0]

Ummm, just a suggestion Cathy, but you could go ahead and get started on that homestudy.

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess part of why we haven't started that part of the process is that we really don't know where to begin. Any suggestions on how you go about beginning the homestudy process? I know we have to be fingerprinted, there are visits, etc., but we don't know anything about officially finding someone to conduct the homestudy.

Cathy

[LovingBoo 0]

Search on the internet for social workers, agencies and people in your area. Then call them and they will guide you through the homestudy. You do need FBI finger print clearance. There is a thread somewhere on here. You go get fingerprinted at the police station on the white and blue print forms and mail them with a form letter (I know it's on FBI.gov) and then they mail them back. Once you contact your homestudy worker though, they will surely get you started. You can go to your state or search for your state police clearances, and child abuse clearances...I'm sure the links will be easily found. Just start filing and filling!!!!! It's a pain and tedious, but is for a good reason and once it's done you can just sit back and take a deep breath!

Jenny

Ummm, just a suggestion Cathy, but you could go ahead and get started on that homestudy.

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess part of why we haven't started that part of the process is that we really don't know where to begin. Any suggestions on how you go about beginning the homestudy process? I know we have to be fingerprinted, there are visits, etc., but we don't know anything about officially finding someone to conduct the homestudy.

Cathy

[dee 7]

You need to make sure the social worker is familiar with Texas laws and requirements. Abrazo gave us recommendations for our area.

[LovingBoo 0]

Yes, make sure of that. Also, if you go to the Home Study requirements thread Abrazo has listed all the requirements that the homestudy worker must meet and all the requirements to be included in the report. It's not as hard as it sounds...just making that first step.

Jenny

Edited June 21, 2007 by LovingBoo

[Don&Andrea 0]

Homestudy requirements/Texas standards

Try this link Cathy. There are some updates to the standard requirements throughout the thread so check out each page. I feel like there is another thread on this also but I can't find it right now. If you are in Tennessee, depending on where you are, there are some social workers who are very familiar with Texas homestudy requirements. I would imagine Abrazo could give you a referral (after the busy camp weekend) or maybe you could PM another Tennessee family who may be close to you and ask for a referral?

Once you contact an agency/social worker, they will give you all the info you need to get going on paperwork and will inform you of all of their requirements. Call around to agencies and let them know you are beginning the process and want to know all about homestudies. They should be happy to tell you! You will find there may be an agency or social worker you feel more comfortable with. We made our choice based on comfort and ease talking with them and also on fees. (We didn't feel it necessary to pay $75 just to talk to someone initially.)

Just to clarify, you can go through an agency social worker and not use that agencies placement services. I think there are other ways to get connected with a homestudy social worker who is not associated with an agency but that was not what we did so I can't tell you how. And I may be totally wrong about that!

Good luck! Get going on that homestudy no matter what, because the only way to build your family through adoption no matter how you do it, starts with the homestudy!

Hope this helps!

P.S. Seems like too, that I read somewhere awhile ago, that at some point the Texas standards will require a completed home study before anyone can be accepted into an agency program at all? Is that correct???

[Don&Andrea 0]

About the home study process

This gives some good info on basic home study requirements and what to expect.

National Adoption Directory

I found this resource helpful. We used the attorney referral link (the attorney we initially contacted referred us to the agency who eventually did our home study who in turn, referred us to Abrazo!) and also the liscensing specialist where you can check out agencies you may use for your homestudy and make sure they don't have any violations and are operating up to code.

[Brian and Cathy 0]

Thank you all for your comments and links I believe I (we) will have a starting place now Thank you, again!

Cathy

[Brian and Cathy 0]

Mona confirmed that both of our packets had been received Thank you, Mona However, I didn't ask her to confirm that all three of our references had been received :angry: I know one has been, but I'm not sure about the other two

Cathy

Thinking out loud here, I need to follow-up with Angela again to make sure everything has been received in order for our application to be reviewed As the NIKE commercial says, "Just Do It "

Cathy

[Brian and Cathy 0]

As the NIKE commercial says, "Just Do It "

Cathy

I did it. I left Angela a message this afternoon

Cathy

[jnholzem 0]

Great to hear that things are moving along for you guys Cathy~!

My suggestion would be to get started on the FBI clearance stuff ASAP. It took me about 3 weeks to get back thankfully but they say that sometimes it can take up to 10 weeks.

Best of luck & please let me know if you have any questions about that because it went smoothly for us.

Nichole

As the NIKE commercial says, "Just Do It "

Cathy

I did it. I left Angela a message this afternoon

Cathy

[Brian and Cathy 0]

I spoke with Angela yesterday. She has everything now in order to review our application and make a decision regarding whether or not we will receive an invite to orientation.

Of couse, I am sure this decision will be put on temporary hold since she's en-route to unite a new family together

So, for now, we'll continue to wait for that much anticipated call Ever feel like you're on pins and needles

Cathy

[Teena & Joe 0]

Oh, good luck, Cathy! How exciting!!!

[Adam & Beth 3]

Cathy, sometimes you never know just how fast things will move along. We applied right about the time of the last scheduled Orientation for 2006. We figured we would be heading to San Antonio some time in Feb 2007. Little did we know, we got a call asking if we could be there in 2-3 weeks as there would be a December Orientation. We were very excited and it kicked things into High Gear

Good Luck!

-A

[Andy n Ewa 0]

Good luck Cathy. Hope you make into the next orientation. We'll be following your journey.