Saturday, July 12, 2008

Blog Buzz - Financing Adoption

The newest blog buzz question is how to afford adoption. For me, as a single person, and a full time teacher, this was unfortunately a big part of how I went about adoption at the start. But, there are ways to do it no matter what type of adoption you choose. After researching, I decided that adopting through foster care was how I wanted to start.

For one thing, it was a good way to help children who needed a safe haven, even if for a short time period. There are so many foster homes that are NOT good. I have seen children who came to me from another foster home, with blisters on their feet and shoes in their hands because they didn't fit. When I asked why they didn't have shoes that fit, I was told that the previous foster mom used the money for herself. That is a mild example. Many of these children go from an unsafe home life, right into an unsafe foster home life. No wonder so many children rarely see adults as trustworthy in this system. Theirs haven't been.

Additionally, as a single teacher, foster care provided a way to help with the financial aspects of parenting. While it by no means covers everything (if you are doing your job as a parent and not just keeping the money for yourself while neglecting your foster children), the state covers medical aspects of foster children, day care is paid for if you work or are in school, and a subsidy is sent to you to help with bills.

If a child is unable to return home, and parental rights are terminated, the state will also pay attorney costs for the adoption, day care until the child is 3, and the medicaid card and subsidy remain.

I have found 3 of my children through foster care so far. 2 have been adopted and 1 will be in the near future. While I continue to foster, I am also looking ahead at international or domestic "traditional" adoption in the future. I have begun an adoption fund with "extra" money I receive from selling things on ebay, etc. I will also look into other fund raisers as the time comes closer.

For me, foster / adoption was a way to grow my family without worrying about the financial aspects.


5 comments:

Melinda said...

Hi Lisa,
If you could email me when you get a chance, I have a question for you. momtoo2girls@yahoo.com
Melinda

Great post! I am glad to see a fostercare/foster adopt perspective.

I have thought about foster care so much lately. Hubby just doesn't think he could handle it emotionally. Of course he wasn't always on board to adopt right away either so who knows what might happen with time and prayer.

Anne

Unknown said...

Thanks for a great post, we have similar perspectives on this. We chose foster to adopt as well, because we though it was the sisest choice financially and the need it so great.

thanks

Brandi said...

Great post, LISA!!! Speak it, girl. Let's get the word out about the amazing opportunity in fostercare / adopt! Thanks for blogging with blogbuzz.

Brandi

Lauren said...

Lisa,
Wow! I think it's so great that you have adopted through foster care. A friend of mine is really interested in doing that as well. You're blog will be a great resource!

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I am a single mom to four amazing kids; each of whom just happen to have been adopted. The first three were adopted through foster care, and we just completed an international adoption from Haiti. Our family has grown through adoption and I am all the more blessed to know each of my children. I worship a mighty God, teach Special Ed, love bargains, and am inspired by Pinterest... come along with us for the ride!


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