Q&A with Jon & Tina

  We've received quite a few questions about the adoption so here's the answers:

• What age are you planning to adopt?
• Our preference is age 0-3, however we are being licensed up to the age of 5 so we are not restricted when it comes to sibling groups.

• How come some of your blogs refer to either a child or children?
• Jon and I both want more than one child.  Since children have a better success rate if they are placed with their siblings instead of being separated, it makes sense to be open to siblings.  We won't know till the day the phone rings whether we will start our family with one child or a couple children.  

• Why are you fostering if your main goal is to adopt?
• Part 1: First right of adoption once the parent's rights are terminated is given to the current foster family. Right now in Arizona most kids are adopted by their foster parents, if we choose only adoption we could easily be waiting 2-3 years for a child under the age of 3.
• Part 2: Adopting a child that you are currently fostering is < $1,000. Adoption only can cost anywhere from $10,000-$15,000. We decided that money could be better spent on medical expenses/braces, extra curricular activities, private school, college education, or even a wedding fund!

• How does the process work?

• Step 1: Attend an orientation. Check!
• Step 2: Choose a licensing agency. Check!
• Step 3: Complete PS MAPP courses. Check!
• Step 4: Participate in a Family Assessment. 
• Interview with our agency. Scheduled for July 11. Check!
• 5 Personal References. Check!
• Verify financial ability to parent a child or children. Check!
• Get fingerprinted. Check!
• Pass criminal background check. Check!
• Step 5: Pass a Home Safety Inspection Follow our checklist! Check!
• Step 6: Become licensed! Check!

• Can family babysit our foster children?
• Yes! The law allows foster parents to use their reasonable judgment in selecting short-term caregivers, however there are restrictions on the amount of time they can babysit at one time. It is typically less than 24 hours.

• When will you be licensed?
• After our home study on July 11th, our licensing agent will send our paperwork to the courts for approval. Our paperwork was sent July 31st and the process can take 30-45 days. We should be licensed by the end of September!

Let us know if you have any other questions and we'll be happy to answer them!