A social worker made yet another visit to our home this morning.

We are in the process of finalizing the adoption of a wonderful little group of five siblings. When they were originally placed with us, the children were in foster care placed with a plan to reunify with the birthmother. Six months later, the birthmom chose to relinquish her parental rights and we were asked to adopt. We agreed. That was 2.5 years ago – and we are STILL in the process of adopting these kids! Sometimes I wonder if it will EVER be over?!? Glad to have previous experiences, I know that it will; I just need to be more patient. Again.

When/if a child in foster care is ready to be adopted, the case moves over to the adoptions unit. In some states, this is a separate agency; in others, it is more closely related to the same unit that handles foster care. Even if a child’s case is in the adoptions unit and the child is placed with an adoptive family, the child and family are still considered in the foster system until the adoption is finalized. (Faith Allen talks about this today in her Hoping to Adopt Blog) As such, the monthly visits that were required by a foster care social worker need to continue for the child in an adoptive placement.

Our social worker comes monthly. She talks with us, as parents, but she also must physically see each of the children (the five on her caseload, not necessarily every child in our home). Coordinating the visits can be tricky! We generally need to go pick up the children from two different schools to bring them home for a visit.

This social worker is most concerned with the child’s development. She does not do home inspections or licensing checks. (Our family has a separate worker that comes to do those in accordance with our licenses to foster and to adopt.) When she comes, we have the children playing, often in another room. This gives us a chance to share any information with the social worker that we may not want the children to hear. Then the children come in and visit themselves with the social worker. This part can be interesting, informative and entertaining – or sometimes just weird! Haha.

The social worker takes notes during the visiting. She includes notes on anything that either party needs to "do" (schedule appointment, find out about insurance, etc.). We sign the sheet and get a copy as well. Sometimes, we make an appointment for a visit next month. That’s it. Couldn’t be more simple as far as a social worker visit goes!