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To register, please begin by filling out our adoptive parent intake form.
To register, please begin by filling out our adoptive parent intake form.
Dear Registered Families,
We know the entire world is anxious about COVID-19 and its impact on daily life. As prospective adoptive parents, we know you have many unique questions and concerns about how this crisis may impact your family's ability to grow.
ICPC is the process by which every state with a vested interest in a child approves of the adoption paperwork and the adoptive placement. In most of our cases, we have three vested states: the Sending state (where the child is), the Custodial state (Ohio since that is where our agency is based), and the Receiving state (your state). We are fortunate that Ohio will review electronic packets at the same time the Sending state reviews it, so Ohio rarely causes any delays in processing our packets. Additionally, she is set up to work from home for however long is needed so there has been no impact on ICPC processing in Ohio. However, how each state is handling ICPC varies. ICPC is considered a national essential function, but some states are better established to handle electronic packets than others. As such, we still have no control over how much time it takes to get your packet processed but so far it does seem to be about the same amount of time as usual.
While this time away from home is not always easy, you should think of it as critical bonding time for you and your new child. As adoptive parents, we do not have the experience of pregnancy and those quiet moments in a hospital to bond. ICPC time allows for you to focus on your new child (and maybe your other children if they travel with you) unlike you will at home. There is no outside things to focus on, just the space you are in and the new child. I personally know how hard it can be on you to be separated from your family and home for that long, but your new child is worth the wait and time it takes to be sure you have a fully legal adoption and placement.
We have always asked for families to prepare to be in the sending state for two weeks even though we are often able to get families cleared more quickly. We are still asking for the same amount of prepared time as we always have since we do not know how long it will take each state in advance. We are not able to waive ICPC nor are we able to start ICPC before you travel even in these circumstances, so if you cannot make a plan to be away for about two weeks, you should not submit on any case for a child outside your state. There are no guarantees about when a child in your state may become available nor whether you would be selected by the birth parents for that child, but if you cannot be away from home for two weeks, you should stick with your state exclusively.
For other travel concerns, many of our families have been finding excellent deals on AirBnBs instead of hotels. These places have not been as booked and when calling or messaging to explain the use, some of our families have even gotten nice discounts. These types of places also allow for you to cook your own meals and generally have fewer outside germs. So if you are planning to travel for placement, consider looking at these services. Additionally, airline tickets are very cheap right now, but air travel could be suspended at some point so make sure you have a plan to travel by vehicle if needed.
As always, Sara and I are here to answer your questions.
Respectfully submitted
Jennifer Kelly
jennifer@specialangelsadoption.org
We know the entire world is anxious about COVID-19 and its impact on daily life. As prospective adoptive parents, we know you have many unique questions and concerns about how this crisis may impact your family's ability to grow.
ICPC is the process by which every state with a vested interest in a child approves of the adoption paperwork and the adoptive placement. In most of our cases, we have three vested states: the Sending state (where the child is), the Custodial state (Ohio since that is where our agency is based), and the Receiving state (your state). We are fortunate that Ohio will review electronic packets at the same time the Sending state reviews it, so Ohio rarely causes any delays in processing our packets. Additionally, she is set up to work from home for however long is needed so there has been no impact on ICPC processing in Ohio. However, how each state is handling ICPC varies. ICPC is considered a national essential function, but some states are better established to handle electronic packets than others. As such, we still have no control over how much time it takes to get your packet processed but so far it does seem to be about the same amount of time as usual.
While this time away from home is not always easy, you should think of it as critical bonding time for you and your new child. As adoptive parents, we do not have the experience of pregnancy and those quiet moments in a hospital to bond. ICPC time allows for you to focus on your new child (and maybe your other children if they travel with you) unlike you will at home. There is no outside things to focus on, just the space you are in and the new child. I personally know how hard it can be on you to be separated from your family and home for that long, but your new child is worth the wait and time it takes to be sure you have a fully legal adoption and placement.
We have always asked for families to prepare to be in the sending state for two weeks even though we are often able to get families cleared more quickly. We are still asking for the same amount of prepared time as we always have since we do not know how long it will take each state in advance. We are not able to waive ICPC nor are we able to start ICPC before you travel even in these circumstances, so if you cannot make a plan to be away for about two weeks, you should not submit on any case for a child outside your state. There are no guarantees about when a child in your state may become available nor whether you would be selected by the birth parents for that child, but if you cannot be away from home for two weeks, you should stick with your state exclusively.
For other travel concerns, many of our families have been finding excellent deals on AirBnBs instead of hotels. These places have not been as booked and when calling or messaging to explain the use, some of our families have even gotten nice discounts. These types of places also allow for you to cook your own meals and generally have fewer outside germs. So if you are planning to travel for placement, consider looking at these services. Additionally, airline tickets are very cheap right now, but air travel could be suspended at some point so make sure you have a plan to travel by vehicle if needed.
As always, Sara and I are here to answer your questions.
Respectfully submitted
Jennifer Kelly
jennifer@specialangelsadoption.org
