Question: Anywhere else you can find information?
Answer: You can sign up for our newsletter at www.hckids.org as well as periodic e-mails highlighting children available for adoption. And you can find us on Facebook.

Question: What do you have planned for National Adoption Month?
Answer: We've already started some events: An information session at the Forest Park library branch, today's Web chat, and an info session Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. (call 632-6366 to register). We're also doing a BlogTalkRadio show at 10 a.m., Nov. 9, that you can assess off of www.hcjfs.org and listen later at your convenience. In addition, there will be a "mass adoption" on Friday, Nov. 20. Several children will officially be adopted into their new families. We've also had a lot of articles in our newsletters and on our Web sites. Our ads will continue to air on TV and radio.

Question: Do a lot of people choose that option?
Answer: Yes, they do. In fact, we encourage people to prepare for both foster and adoption in case the child placed with them ends up becoming available for adoption. If the child is doing well in their home, we don't want to disrupt that.

Question: What about foster-to-adopt? What's that all about?
Answer: That's where parents prepare for both foster and adoption. They may get a foster placement that later becomes a potential adoption.

Question: Is there a cost to adopt through the county?
Answer: No. The classes and the homestudy are free of charge. And adoption finalization costs are usually minimal. Most times, you have to cover court costs. That's where company subsidies might be very helpful in reimbursing for those.

Question: Is there any financial support for a family that adopts?
Answer: Despite the economic outlook for the state, there are still subsidies available. A good guide for this would be the Adoption Subsidies Guide which is available through www.hckids.org. You can get an idea there of the various subsidies available and don't forget to check with your employer about adoption assistance programs. Some companies have subsidy monies to help with costs as well.

Question: Is there support once an adoption is finalized?
Answer: Absolutely! If there is ever any need for additional services beyond finalization, just call 241-KIDS and ask for a post-adoption services referral. That will connect you to the Children's Services staff responsible for connecting you to any mental health needs of your child. For example, if a mental health issue comes up six months to a year or so after adoption, the post adoption services staff can provide you with the information and access that you need. it's all geared to help you stay a family.

Question: When do trainings happen?
Answer: We have sessions scheduled now through 2010. The orientation schedule is already posted on www.hckids.org. If you are interested in learning more, give us a call at (513) 632-6366.

Question: So, it's a two-way street, parents can adopt children from other states--and people in other states can adopt children from here?
Answer: Yes. Ideally, we'd love to be able to place Hamilton County children as local as possible, if that's what they want. But if there is a family in another state that's well-suited to meet their needs,  they may be matched with that child.

Question: And, then, what would happen?
Answer: You would go through a match process similar to Hamilton County's. If they determine you are a good match for meeting the needs of the child, you'll be notified and provided with any additional history that you had not already seen. From there, introductions would begin. And your family worker and the child's caseworker would coordinate all of that.

Question: What's next after you're approved as an adoptive parent?
Answer: You will be assigned a family worker who can help you get your homestudy sent to agencies across Ohio and across the country where you see children waiting for adoption. For example, if you are looking at a Web site in California and there is a child that you are interested in adopting, we would encourage you first to call the agency and make sure that the child is still available for adoption. If so, then you would contact your family worker in Hamilton County to request your homestudy be sent for consideration there.

Question: How long does it take from starting classes to getting approved as an adoptive parent?
Answer: It can take up to six months to complete classes and the homestudy process. If you keep appointment with the homestudy assessors and provide the information that they need, you can complete a homestudy in as little as four to five months. Classes by themselves take about five to six weeks to complete.

Question: What's legal risk?
Answer: Legal risk generally means that foster parents who have an interest in adoption can take in an infant or any child knowing there is a risk of reunification with biological families. Kids that come in as a "legal risk" most times are coming from homes with a history of child removals. However, this time the outcome may be different. There is a risk that that child will go back home.

Question: Are there babies available for adoption through your agency?
Answer: Sometimes there are infants that come into care. Many times they are placed with foster families already prepared to handle an infant foster placement. If you are coming into the process with a goal of an infant adoption, we are probably not the best agency for that. Private agencies might be better to help you meet that goal. But we do need homes that are ready for legal risk placements.

Question: Do you work with international homestudies?
Answer: No. There are agencies that specialize in international adoption and preparation. We can refer you to a few if you can't locate them in a phone listing. Our homestudies are primarily domestic.

Question: Do you still have a lot of kids waiting for homes?
Answer: YES! Right now there are about 170 children waiting for an adoptive home. They range in age from 7 to 18.

Question: Once a match happens with a child, what happens next?
Answer: That's when workers begin the introduction process between child and potential parent. Visits might be a day at a time, or a weekend at a time, but they gradually work toward a full-time placement in a home. They'll continue monitoring and working with the children and parents toward finalization.