Anyone used Bethany Christian Services?

Alicia_22

We just sent in our pre-application today. I'm wondering how long the "series" of classes take once we our application has been "approved?" The information I got didn't say how many classes, the length, ect. I'm just curious how long that process will take and how many training classes it actually is!

Dr.Loretta

We have not, though there is one nearby.

A quick call to your local office should get you in touch with a SW who I'm sure would be happy to answer your questions. We grilled our SW with all sorts of things even before we sent in an application!

hersheykiss

I used them as a BM and know several friends that used them as the birthparents as well. I can tell you that side of their services & timing. But I don't know their side from the adopting family.

Are you going through the Atlanta office? I used that office and know many people there.

Alicia_22

We will be going through the Atlanta office. From the birthparent side, how well did you like them? I've heard really great things and have a co-worker who used them to adopt their 2 children.

 Thanks for the info. I didn't want to call and possibly "bug" the SW because I'm sure that is information we will get once our pre-application is processed. I might end up calling though. I'm dying to know!

hersheykiss

As a BM I loved them. My caseworker was awesome, they all were. When I was in the hospital, we had K's picture taken and the hospital left her in the outfit and she spit up all over it. It was her going home outfit and my caseworker took it home and washed it. I was soooo thrilled, she did not have to do that at all. She was wonderful. We were having such a hard time picking a family that a caseworker (not mine) suggested a family that she thought would be perfect for us. The caseworker contacted the family on her own time, and got us a profile. We loved them and ended up choosing them. It was so great how they all worked with us.

I had a breakdown several months after K was born and my caseworker was on vacation. Another caseworker was in the office and "talked me off the ledge" so to speak. She was wonderful! She knew nothing about my situation, but was willing to sit with me in the office until almost midnight on a Friday night while I cried, screamed, etc.

I cannot say enough about them. They were very helpful all along the way with me, and afterwards. It has been 8 years since the adoption and my caseworker has left that office, but I still get calls from them to check on me.

They genuinely care about everyone and want what is best for you. They are supportive and never judging from my experience.

Alicia_22

Thank you so much for letting me know that. I had heard great things from the adoptive parents side but had not heard anything from the birthparents side. I'm so glad to hear that they went above and beyond to help. That's exactly the kind of agency we want to use! Thank you again for giving me that insite to your side. You did a very brave thing and I'm so happy you had such wonderful people there helping you through it!

 

hersheykiss

Thank you for your kind words. I always appreciate hearing things like that.  I am always willing to talk about my experience with adoption. No adoption is like another so I think we can all learn from each other. I know a lot of adoptive families like hearing about the "other side" of things. Anytime you have a question about the agency or my experience, I am willing to answer them.

kep

We are using Bethany and also going through the Atlanta offices. We are adopting from Korea--just had our home visit on Monday. I think our situation is a little different because we never actually went through the orientation. Submitted our pre-application about a year ago and was put on a waiting list. We started and stopped due to pregnancy and then started again due to miscarriage. Long story short, we have 10 hours of training to complete (the orientation counts toward that total) ... BUT there is a meeting at Peachtree Presbyterian next week about adoption (put on by Bethany) ... and our SW told me that that will count toward our credits--though after we go through the online training and read the books we've bought and attend waiting dinners, etc. I think we will have more than enough. )

 I posted the info about the meeting on here, but here it is again in case you are interested.

https://33foramoment.blogspot.com/2009/08/adoption-seminar-in-atlanta.html

Alicia_22

I saw your original post about that seminar. Sounds very interesting! I'm going to check with DH and see if he can get off work in time to make it. ( we live an hour South of Atlanta). We also did not go to orientation. We just mailed our pre-application today. Does the training have to be completed before they will start the home study process? Thanks for the information!!!

kep

Alicia_22:

I saw your original post about that seminar. Sounds very interesting! I'm going to check with DH and see if he can get off work in time to make it. ( we live an hour South of Atlanta). We also did not go to orientation. We just mailed our pre-application today. Does the training have to be completed before they will start the home study process? Thanks for the information!!!

Not sure if domestic is different from international, but our SW said no ... that we will have plenty of time to complete the training during our waiting time. We do have to give them copies of our certificates after we complete the online training course, etc. Once we register and pay (each person has to register and pay separately, which kind of stinks ... but OK) ... we have a certain number of weeks to complete the course, which is why I haven't started just yet. (We have a busy few weeks coming up.) We hope to have our home study complete/approved/etc. by the end of September, but the training does not have to be done by then.

 BTW, I saw in your profile that you are UGA fans. Did you see the story about the football coach/adoption on ESPN? I just saw it for the first time the other day and posted it in my blog. (Link in siggy, if you are interested.) ) 

Alicia_22

Yes! They did a special on him last year sometime and we watched it. It was very touching and actually I think part of what helped my DH come aboard with adoption! He LOVES Coach Richt and it helped him I think to see that you can be a man and still like kids! LOL

 Wow - I didn't realize you had to pay to take the training. I'm assuming it's included in the fees? I'm glad they will start the process while we are waiting!!

kep

I think the training I am talking about might be just for international. It's the NCFA Hague-Compliant Training. It is an online training course--more info at https://www.hagueadoption.org. )

ColoRxGirl

We are using Bethany in Denver and have had a good experience overall.  Our original caseworker left the office (she moved away - no drama) and transfer of responsibilities to a new caseworker caused some delays.  But the process takes so long anyway that a few weeks delay didn't seem earth-shattering.

We took our classes about 4 months in - overall, the homestudy and application process took 6-7 months.  How many classes and how many hours of education is usually determined by the law in your state.  We took 16 hours for Colorado.  Bethany provided 2 days of training and we did several hours on our own - mostly web-based stuff and a local parenting class.

Feel free to PM me if you have more detailed questions.