[arucker]

Hi everyone! Apparently with adoption you learn new things about laws ect. Found out from my agency in KY that the state of KY is not allowed to advertise their buisness in other states via yellowpages ect. So they gave us out of state agencies that they recommend. So I called an agency in ohio (across the river from us). The lady wasn't very friendly at all and said that when you adopt out of state, that you must live in that state with the baby for 2-3 weeks after the baby is born. Is this true? Has anyone had to do this? How is this possible for people who have jobs to take 2-3 weeks off of work and live in a hotel with a baby? How is that safe? And what do you do buy crib and baby stuff and take it with you? I had a complete meltdown after I heard this. Just started crying and crying. Please if anyone knows any info on this PLEASE let me know. I'm really confused now. Thanks girls!

[SchmennaLeigh]

She wasn't pulling your chain, sadly. It's called the ICPC or Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. You can read about it in a bit detail on our sister site, adoption.com via this link: Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Definition - Adoption Glossary, Dictionary, T

There's also a thread referring to Ohio's specific ICPC laws on the adoption forums, viewable here: Ohio ICPC/how long? - Adoption.com Forums It seems that some didn't have the full length of time but you should prepare for some length.

Best of luck in your continuous research.

[arucker]

Thank you for the reply back. I understand why they do it I guess, I just don't know how someone can take care of a baby safely in a hotel ect. Luckily my DH is from ohio and his mom and sister lives about 35 minutes away. So we could stay with them. Does anyone else have any stories of what they went through or how they did it? Thanks again.

[Wannafamily]

We just adopted through an agency that works with birthparents all over the country, including Ohio. I did hear from them that Ohio has one of the longest "wait" periods right now due to the state agency. We were very fortunate that our baby was born in our state so we did not travel. A couple that I met who adopted from our agency did get a baby born in Ohio and had to stay in the state for almost 4 weeks. They did stay in a hotel and said they went with one of the hotels that has suites and they got a good rate due to the adoption factor. You do have the option of staying anywhere in the state (not where the baby was born) and only one adoptive parent has to be there at all times. Since you would most likely be on maternity leave or FMLA, it would be OK, though I agree having a newborn in a hotel does not sound appealing.

Best of luck to you!

[arucker]

I did talk also to an agency in MI. The lady was very helpfull. I ask her if the adoptive parents couldn't take the time off of work, where would the baby stay? She said in MI that the baby would stay in safe foster homes that are meant for that situation. So that makes me feel better. Luckily if we do adopt in ohio we can stay with my mother-in-law. She is retired and babysits her 2 year old grandson anyway. So we would still be able to go to work. This is very stressfull. Hopefully there is no more surprises, but now I'm prepared just in case.