1st Meeting with SW

We had our first meeting this evening with our SW (Social Worker). She is really nice and very informative. Basically this first meeting was all about getting to know each other and answering questions we had. She explained the homestudy process to us and how the matching process works.

Homestudy: Our next appointments will be individual interviews, which will each be about 2 hours, on separate days (about a week or so apart). The first interview will be mid June, we are waiting to hear back from her, to schedule the date. She did confirm that the homestudy process and the licensing process combined will take approximately 4-6 months to complete. She gave us our referral to sign up for the Bridge builder classes and I will be calling tomorrow to find out how soon we can start those. (they are once a week for six weeks).

The matching process: Once everything is complete, they take our "child desired packet" that we complete, which is basically a packet of detailed questions regarding what we will accept, won't accept or are willing to discuss in regards to the children's behaviors, medical needs etc.. (as much as they know any way). they take that information and put it into a data base. The data base will also include a list of children with their information. The system will automatically match the best possible families to children. At that point they will take the top 3, best matches and longest waiting families and the child's social worker will decide which one is the best match for that child. If we are chosen, we will get a call with the possibility for placement.

We are still optimistic that there is a slight possibility we could have a child or children in our home by Christmas.

p.s. Our niece, left to go back to Oregon this morning. Danny's sister and her boyfriend came to visit Monday-Thursday. It was so nice to see Krissi and meet her boyfriend. We already miss Maria sooooo much!