OK blogger buddies, we need advice. A few weeks ago I mentioned how our home study agency was put on the dreaded "blacklist". So our agency has been stalling with doing our update because they want to know what the issue actually is, but our home study expires April 14th and we have to do fingerprints etc. So we finally called today to see what we need to do, switch, stay, or what. They stated that they got a response back from Russia on what the issue is, problem is, it is in Russian! Got to get it translated. So they still don't know what the issue is. So by the end of this week Randy and I need to decide if we need to switch agencies. Even if they fix the problem, they will technically be on the "list" until the new one comes out, which could be six months or so. With our wait it really doesn't matter much, but if it is something they can't fix, then we have to switch. We either switch now, and risk that agency going on the blacklist and having to deal with that drama, or stick with our agency, pay for the update, and then possibly switching later if the problem can't be fix, which will cost us some money, not tons, but some.
What would you do if you were in our shoes?? All advice will be taken!
A Year of Change
2 years ago
We had our homestudy blacklisted when we were suppose to be weeks away from getting a referral (which never happened but that is beside the point). We lucked out and our new homestudy agency "contracted" our social worker. The homestudy was touched up to meet the requirements of the new agency and it was then printed on their letterhead. After paying a small fee of about $300 (I can't really remember but know it was less than a full update) our original agency was taken off the blacklist. We decided to stay with our new agency so we didn't have to switch around again and have Russia think we were crazy people, but the new agency has higher fees (stinks). If I knew I had some time, I think I would wait it out with the original agency if they are positive they will be taken off AND if you have been happy with them so far. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteAre we talking just changing homestudy agency or overall agency? Also, do you have a sense of when you might expect a referral? (I remember you talked about this but don't remember...)
ReplyDeletestrictly homestudy agency. IA is staying the same.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I feel like I should have some good advice for you, since we are blog friends...but I'm coming up super short. Having not been in your shoes with the blacklist issue, I don't know. BUT, I do know that if I were you, I would probably be all stressed and worried, and over thinking it big time. To which, I will give you the same advice I would give myself (not that you're doing any of those things). PRAY about it. Pray together about it, and go with the HS agency where you feel God's peace. And, try to have peace knowing that God has already chosen this little one for your family (and your family for this little one), and could be working all of this about JUST to bring you together! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteHi Denise, I have no advice on the homestudy agency thing, but I would do whatever would put you guys in less stress. I'm so sorry the whole blacklist thing is such a nightmare for everybody! As far as Andrei's middle name, Leo is from is Doug's dad and it is the symbol here in Kras and Jack was Doug's grandpa's name who more or less raised Doug. We wanted to something Russian since we're not keeping his given name due to the circumstances of his birth, so we went with the Russian name of Andrew which is Doug's middle name. Test will be tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI have no good advice, but I'm thinking about y'all and praying you get it all worked out ASAP!
ReplyDeleteFollow your gut and listen to your heart!!!! God will show you the way!
ReplyDeleteHard to say since everything can be so unique in this sitation. I do know with our first adoption our home study agency was on the black list. There were quickly able to comply with what Russia was requesting and they were removed from the blacklist. I don't know if they got removed from the published list until months later but they were removed from the 'database' of sorts. It ended up not causing any problems in our case.
ReplyDeleteOur homestudy agency was blacklisted as well. Can your social worker underwite your homestudy under your IA? Our social worker could underwrite under several agencies.
ReplyDelete