As I've mentioned previously I run into some "Social Worker is on extended vacation" snags as of Monday. Her first holiday is near my cottage so we had made a plan (Plan 1) to meet up north if the referral comes between Monday and Friday of next week. Apparently that is a "NO GO". Something official about visiting the home within 6 months of the referral acceptance to ensure the home is safe and secure for the impending arrival. She was last here in July 2006 so that probably won't do.
Okay, fine. Apparently since safety is the present day issue of choice and my home study was written in mid 2006 there is now new standards of "safe". Yeah. A 6 page list of "safe" standards.
So I will spend some time making my home meet these standards over the next few days. Doesn't hurt to have a focus I guess. I'm not a big fan of putting cupboard locks on cabinets when I don't have a referral but I will solider forward.
Plan 2 involved talk from the agency about getting a "backup social worker" lined up in the event my referral comes during holiday time. Ummm. Seems that is also a no go. Read paragraph 2...gotta get that list checked off and have a wee home visit.
Plan 3 has emerged.
I will meet here with my social worker on Saturday morning, this Saturday, briefly review the safety list and create a timeline for any outstanding items thus fulfilling the "home visit" requirement.
Here are a few sure to be outstanding on Saturday:
- Mirrors and other wall attachments, large pieces of furniture are fixed securely, to prevent toppling over
- Infant crib meets the recommendations contained in the 2007 "Report of the paediatric Death Review Committee and Deaths Under Five Committee-Office of the Chief Coroner"
- Exits and stairways gated
I've got the crib and the gates but I'm not dealing with them before I have a referral. This is not negotiable.
Of course there are all the alcohol, drugs and firearms rules....Um, yeah.
Then, when my referral arrives next week (I'm not willing to think about if) we can meet on the side of a road somewhere between here and there and her vacation up north and her retreat out west because the home visit has already occurred. A referral homevisit before the referral. Seriously.
Plan 4 presents the best case scenario...the referral gets here by Friday. This Friday. And we can review the safety list, review the referral, before vacation juggling begins.
Worst case scenario...no referral by July 31st translates into Plan 5- keep waiting. Until her retreat is over on the 11th and she is available until the 14th, the next possible window of time to review the referral paperwork.
Plan 6 is unthinkable.
4 comments:
I was blog surfing and came across your blog on Feedjit. I take it you are waiting to adopt a baby. I will pray for you, it sounds like the run-around is enough to add enough stress to the waiting and phone calls. I hope everything will turn out well and that things will move along quick for you. I will continue reading and keeping up with the progress, I'm sure things work out and you will have him very soon!
Kelly
Oh Bev. This waiting is too much! I can barely take it. I have some spare time, maybe we should just go to Vietnam tomorrow and hang out there for a change of scene!
He is coming soon.
Thinking of you,
Wendy
Aargh I remember this last bit so well. It's like having teeth pulled. I know you don't want to hear this but the more strung out you get now, the higher you're going to fly when that referral arrives next week. Seriously. Grit your teeth and do whatever you have to to get through these last few days because your son is coming and life is going to be AMAZING!
I have enjoyed your posts for some time. Your ability to put your feelings so eloquently into words, and with such wit is a great strength and has helped me with my own wait. Although it has been a long, arduous wait, it really feels close now. I wish all the best to you and congratulate you for remaining both funny and human through out it all.
Jay
Post a Comment