ADOPTION AS THE PANDEMIC RECEEDS

We have all heard of the recent reduction or elimination of most of the pandemic restrictions. But are things back to normal? From what I can tell, anxiety levels still seem quite high.

 

As I talk to those pursuing a homestudy or post placement, our conversations include lots of questions about the mandatory social work visits. We go over who is vaccinated and what precautions still need to be taken. What should be done when there are children in the home, who are not yet eligible for vaccines, especially as it relates to infants who may not yet have received routine pediatric immunizations. Are masks, hand sanitizers and social distancing enough? Should visits be outdoors if possible? Will virtual visits meet local or other state requirements?

 

During the pandemic, I did have families bring babies home from various states. However, things were much slower than usual. Some placement agencies even closed their waiting lists temporarily. With uncertainties looming, lots of singles and couples postponed starting or completing their homestudies. So, what now?

 

Are birth parents making adoption plans for babies and children? Are prospective adoptive parents allowed back into hospitals for births? Are there any quarantine procedures still in place? How do you feel about traveling? Will you fly, if needed, or drive long distances with an infant in the car? Are you comfortable staying in a hotel or Air B&B while waiting for interstate clearance to return home?

 

And for those who have spent the past 16 months at home with children, what was the best way to provide a social network and interactions with others for you and your child? How did you entertain yourself and your child? Did you meet outside? Only socialize with fully vaccinated people?  Or do a lot of video calls? Were family members able to meet the new baby in person? 

Starting or enlarging a family is very exciting. The adoption process adds its own joys and challenges. However, even with COVID-19 adding an additional complexity, it is good to know that with a bit of planning and determination, all can be accomplished. 

Kathy Ann Brodsky, LCSW is a New York and New Jersey licensed social worker, adoptive mom and advocate for ethical adoption practice. Through her private practice and agency affiliations, she has prepared  thousands of adoption  homestudies, counseled  expectant, birth, pre/post adoptive parents and  adopted  persons, as  well  as trained  professionals  to  work  with  adoptive  families. She  was Director of the  Ametz  Adoption  Program of  JCCA and a member of the Advisory Board for POV’s Adoption  Series and the  Adoption  Advisory  Board  of  Path2Parenthood, She is currently on the Adoption   Professional   Advisory  Council  of  HelpUSAdopt , a member of the Advisory Board of the Family Equality Council and  active  in  the  Adoptive Parents Committee in  New  York.  Her  blogs  and  written contributions can be seen throughout the Internet, including  her  BLOG  and  as  Head  Writer  for  ADOPTION.NET   She  was  named  an  “Angel in Adoption” by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in 2001. You can reach her directly.