Adopting a child has the potential to change lives. Adoption changes the life of the child who needs and deserves a loving family. Adoption also changes the lives of those opening their hearts and homes to a child who may have gone through a rough start in life, had to be removed from their birth homes, or was placed in the adoption system by a young woman struggling with an unplanned pregnancy. Adoption allows families to share the love and security of a home environment while raising a child to experience a life full of potential. Those considering adoption may be overwhelmed at where to begin. A single call to any Department of Family and Children’s Services can open the door to a wealth of information and assistance in beginning the adoption process. Majorities of adoptions take place through Child Welfare systems, but all adoptions follow the same general steps. After completing what seems like a ton of paperwork, you will be scheduled for classes to prepare you in understanding the adoption process and address special needs adoptive children may require. After completing the pre-adoption class, a home visit will be scheduled to see the living arrangements and interview family members. Reference checks that will be done during the adoption process include work history, financial references, medical history, personal references, and a criminal check as well as others that may be specific to individual agencies handling the adoption. Then, there is a waiting process before you are approved to adopt a child. Once approval is given and you have found a child, a court date is usually set to make it official and you and your child settle in to begin family life. While most people use an attorney that specializes in adoption to help them negotiate all the steps, with assistance from child welfare agencies, a lawyer may not always be needed. Adoption regulations vary from state to state so it is important to investigate specific requirements in your state.
The following links offer additional information for birth parents and adoptive parents seeking assistance with the adoption processed and post-adoptive services and resources.
Birth Parents
Resources for those considering giving a child up for adoption.
Unplanned pregnancies happen. Adoptions benefit everyone concerned. The birth mother, the adoptive parents, and most of all adoptions provide the benefits of a family who is ready and prepared to love and raise a child in a secure and safe home. If you feel you are not prepared to provide everything your child needs, you may be considering adoption. It is a courageous choice for a birth mother to take. This organization understand that and offers free birth parent support and services to help you make the best decisions for you and your child.
This informational fact sheet by the Child Welfare Information Gateway details the ways giving a child up for adoption impacts birth parents. Normal feelings include grief, loss, identity issues regarding parenthood, and possible long-term issues regarding relationships or future children.
Published by the New York State Department, this offers a good overview of the information you can expect to have access to through any state Adoption Information Registry. For information in your area, contact your State Department of Health.
Concerned United Birthparents (CUB) understands that giving up a child for adoption does not end the experience of being a birthparent. Studies support what many birthparents already know, for many birthparents the hurt and loss of giving a child up for adoption lingers for a lifetime and affects relationships, marriages and possibly even the decision to have more children in the future. You may download a brochure from their site titled: What You Should Know if you are considering Adoption for your Baby. (PDF)
Birth parents have rights and responsibilities during the adoption process. Speaking on the rights of Birth Parents in Illinois, this page also serves, as a sample of documentation birth parents (and adoptive parents) should receive when considering adoption options. Rights and laws may vary widely from one state to the next so always consult an adoption lawyer familiar with the laws in your state.
Here is a table listing the standards that need be met under which a birth mother may be able to revoke consent for adoption. These standards vary greatly and individual situations and circumstances may have an impact on the decision. All cases must go before the courts if final adoption papers have already been issued.
Two mothers share their decision to place their babies up for adoption. The decision is not one easily made but requires consideration of options and what they felt was in the best interest of their children. Counseling prior to the final decision helped clarify the process and make the right choices for them and their babies. Also available on this site are similar videos with an adoptive family and professionals involved in the adoption process.
This brochure details the adoption process in Minnesota. Information includes detailed rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in the adoption process. Every adoption is unique and special situations may occur, for that reason it is important that everyone understand they rights and responsibilities to safeguard the well-being, privacy and health of the child and both birth and adoptive parents.
This summary examines the outcome of adoption on the birth mothers process of grief resolution. Also noted is the impact that giving a child up for adoption has on the relationship the birth mother had with the birth father.
The adoption foundation offers support, care, and resources to birth mothers placing their baby for adoption. They have a list of pre-approved, adoptive families and encourage an open adoption plan to benefit the birth mother, child, and adoptive families. Visit their website for more information.
Adoptive Parents
Informational links for those looking to adopt a child.
This document offers a side-by-side comparison between guardianship and adoption. While both may provide a child a permanent home, the rights of the birth parents differs greatly. These differences should be carefully considered when exploring the options of becoming a permanent family.
This brochure outlines the steps needed to apply for Adoption Assistance through the state of Oregon. Most states offer Adoption Assistance for families adopting special needs children who may be older. These children may have siblings they seek to place in a home together, or the child may have special physical or emotional needs that make placement more difficult. This brochure is helpful in understanding what is covered by an Adoption Assistance program. Contact the Department of Family Services in your area for local options and guidelines.
This article was published in the “Adoptive Families Magazine,” and holds true today as it did in 2005. Though originally speaking to adoptive parents who chose to make a special needs child a part of their family, the key words to live by are true for all adoptive families working through the changes and challenges adoption brings. Following the advice given in document will go a long way in drawing you and your adoptive child together through compassion, firmness, and proactivity.
Open adoptions allow birth parents to stay connected with the families that adopt their baby. The degree of involvement is worked out prior to the child’s birth. Often the birth mother chooses the family that will adopt her child and forms a relationship with them that allows her to keep in touch and celebrate childhood milestones. For more information on open adoptions, I Heart Adoptions can help you decide if this option is right for you.
The state of New Jersey has published steps along the path to adoption that all adoption agencies follow. Adoption laws may vary from region or state, however, these steps follow the general process. Prospective adoptive parents are provided a clear overview of what to expect during the adoption process.
Published by the LA County Department of Child Services, this informational workbook educates prospective parents in the adoption process. The workbook includes applications, checklists, and things the adoptive parent needs to be aware of during and after adopting a child. This resource clearly explains the legal process and options available guiding prospect adoptive parents step-by-step. Additional resources are listed at the end of the book.
With approximately two million adoptive parents in the US, you may be surprised that there has been nearly no mention of adoptive parents experiencing post-adoption depression. Adoptive parents are often surprised to experience symptoms similar to post-partum depression, or the “baby blues” many parents experience during the weeks and months after giving birth. Post-adoption depression can affect the well-being of the child and the entire family unit. Raising awareness and being willing to discuss concerns with a health professional may be necessary if symptoms persist.
Adoptive parents in Florida can search this resource page for information on the benefits of adoption, laws concerning adoption, how to adopt a child through the Florida Child Welfare system, and the legal steps needed to initiate and complete the adoption process. There are also numerous articles, handbooks, and guidelines for parenting and explaining the adoption process to your child at the right time.
This paper was presented at the Parenthood in America Conference, held in Madison Wisconsin in 1998. Irving Leon, PhD, discusses what he feels are often overlooked positive aspects of being an adoptive parent. Rather than being a “second choice” to parenthood, he believes adoption to be a natural choice with benefits often not experienced by birth families. If anyone ever says to you, parents should be required to have a license before they can raise a child; you as an adoptive parent qualify as licensed by virtue of the screening and training process that is a part of the adoptive process. Read this uplifting view on adoption for more surprising insights.
With most states having no laws or guidelines governing LGBT adoptions or foster parenting, it is often left to agency policy and staff attitudes to explore the untapped potential of LGBT families interested in adoption or foster parenting. This report addresses the need for states and adoption agencies to address policies that would make it easier for LGBT individuals to explore options for adoption and foster parenting.
This page offers information concerning expenses connected with the adoption process. Most expenses are related to court costs and lawyer fees. If an adoption case were challenged in court, higher fees would be expected. According to information on this site, only one percent of adoption cases are ever challenged. There may also be an opportunity to have fees waived, pay on a sliding scale, or receive assistance with adoption fees for those adopting special needs children.
A listing of adoption services in Maine. Informational resources concerning a passive (voluntary) reunion registry, children available through family welfare services, and a list of licensed adoption agencies may be accessed on this site
This in depth listing of resources for Washington State includes adoption agencies, international adoption resources, foster parenting and adopting foster children, counseling, community resources, and post-adoptive resources.
This document is an overview of the adoption and foster parenting process in Georgia. Information covers requirements, the approval procedure, foster care financial assistance, adoption assistance, and post-adoptive services.
Due to the changing political conditions in other countries, prospect adopted parents should understand conditions in each country influences your ability to adopt a child there. Check this page on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration page for current updates and information.
The Department of Children, Youth & Families answers frequently asked questions concerning adoption. Topics discussed include home studies, when a child is free for adoption, the cost of adopting, what services DCYF provides to adoptive families, how to begin the adoption process, how long does it take to adopt, and more.
Post-Adoption Services
Resource links for after adoption, dealing with adjusting, emotions, questions, and support.
A wide percentage of adoptive parents favor allowing adult adopted children full access to birth records. Presently forty-two states require adult adopted children to petition the courts to allow access to non-identifying information concerning their birth while New Jersey continues to uphold complete confidentiality of adoption records regardless of the age of the adopted child.
California’s Department of Social Services answers questions concerning adoptive children obtaining information concerning their birth parents and birth records. These are questions adopted children often ask and purse at some point in their life. Laws are constantly being challenged and changed. Laws and standards in California may vary widely from those in other states. This information is to offer guidelines when seeking information. Contact The Department of Family and Social Services in your state for the most recent information.
On this page, parents who have adopted children with special needs can find articles on several subjects. Topics include parenting tips on talking to your child about adoption, school and adoption, talking to an adopted teen, staying connected, helping a special need child heal from sexual abuse and more.
This study examined the connection open adoptions had on the psychosocial adjustments of both birth and adoptive parents. According to researchers, contrary to expectations that open adoptions would lead to additional stress for adoptive and birth parents, the opposite seems to be supported. In this study, both parties showed better adaptation to the adoption process when open adoption proceedings allowed for ongoing communication. Considering the positive results of this study professionals involved in the adoption process may be more likely to include open adoption plans as a viable option.
This organization offers post-adoption support and resources to adoptive parents in the state. Services include support groups, adoption assistance coordinators, mental health referrals, and family safety planning.
This document thoroughly details adoption practices in the state of Tennessee. Services included in this publication are services to birth parents, services to the child, adoption placement proceedings, services to resource parents, finalizing the adoption process and post-adoption services.
The Michigan State University School of Social Work provides post-adoption support services. As part of their services, they have published fact sheets on several topics. Topics cover subjects that include sibling and adoption relationships, transitioning from foster child to adoptive child, reality, myths of sibling adoptions, the challenge of a traumatized child, attachment and loss issues, and more.
This project sponsored by the University Of Louisville School Of Social Work, provides a variety of post-adoptive services to help families successful adapt to their new family members. Services focus on relationships, community resources, support services, family attachment and formation, and skills to deal with stress.
This programs offer post-adoptive support through resources that include a lending library. All families must face adjustments at times. Adoptive families may struggle with issues not faced by birth families. Topics covered in the lending library include parenting challenges, discussing adoption with your children, open adoption issues, attachment disorders, and special needs.
This document looks at the effect of releasing pre-adoption birth records to adult adoptees. The study found that less than half of those seeking pre-adoption information to locate birth parents or medical history were successful. There are presently no federal guidelines for releasing pre-adoption records.
Indiana State Department of Health provides medical history information to adopted persons. Indiana law requires that any adoptions after 1986 must include a comprehensive health history of the adoptee’s birth parents as well as any health records of the adoptee. For individuals adopted prior to 1986, there may be medical history on record, as anyone giving up a child for adoption prior to 1986 may voluntarily submit a medical history report for the records.
This page gives a listing of the six regional post-adoption resource centers serving Wisconsin adopted families. They also offer an adoption search program to assist adoptees in locating unidentifiable information such as medical history.
Youth who were adopted through Connecticut’s Foster Care program before their 18th birthday may receive college financial assistance. Adoptions must have occurred after December 2004. Check this webpage for eligibility and application requirements.
Professionals
Adoption lawyers, attorneys, child welfare services, and licensed adoption agencies who handle the legal aspect of adoption.
In addition to all the requirements of adopting baby born in the US, international adoptions must also follow any requirements of the country their prospective child lives in. Understanding these additional requirements is best done under advisement from international or intercountry adoption specialists. Dillon International began assisting in Korean adoptions in 1972 when they became the first licensed international adoption agency in the United States. They are well equipped to answer all questions concerning international adoption processes.
Holt International was in active in the formulation of the Hague Convention that today sets the standards and conduct guidelines for international adoptions. For more than five decades, this Christian organization has worked to find loving homes for orphaned or abandoned children internationally. For more information concerning international adoption, visit their website.
The United Stated signed into the Hague Convention in 1994 as part of an international agreement to protect international adoptions. Countries agreeing to the Hague Convention follow strict agreements and guidelines in addition to following guidelines of the individual countries. The purpose is to offer protection to children and families involved in the adoption process. See this State Department page for more about the Hague Convention.
This resource and communication page concerning Thailand adoptions has been providing resource information to families seeking to adopt Thai children since 1999. From their homepage, follow links to agencies, cultural information, adoption resources, and sign up for their newsletter for news and legislation information.
With over twenty years of experience in international adoptions, the European Adoption Consultants can answer your questions and help you explore your options concerning international adoptions. Visit their website for complete information. You can also find them on Twitter and Facebook.
The mission of this organization is to raise awareness of the need to find adoptive parents or foster parents for children in the US child welfare system. They also assist in recruiting and training foster parents and connecting them and adoptive parents to various child service agencies throughout the US and territories.
The National Adoption Center works connecting prospective adoptive parents with agencies in their area with children available for adoption, connects those interested in exchanging ideas and concerns about adoption or the adoption process with like-minded individuals for support, and connects you to their learning center where you can learn about moving children from foster families to forever families. The National Adoption Center supports LGBT adoptions and connects LGBT families with adoption agencies willing to help them welcome an adoptive child into their home.
This online resource offers legal information for birthparents, adoptees, and adoptive parents regarding the adoption process and post-adoption issues. Tips for hiring an adoption lawyer and finding the right adoption agency can all be accessed from this page.
CAP has been bringing children and prospective parents together for the past 39 years. CAP believes every child is adoptable and actively recruits adoptive parents for older and special needs children awaiting adoption in the foster care system. CAP can assist you in navigating the adoption system, offering recommendations and tips in assessing agencies and adoption lawyers.
Since 1990, the Indiana SNAP (Special Needs Adoption Program) has helped place over 7 thousand special needs children with adoptive parents. The SNAP specialist collaborate efforts and services between adoption agencies, DFCS, and adoptive families. They also provide education and resource recommendations to families seeking to adopt special needs children.
This website lists a photo gallery of adoptable children within the Arkansas child welfare system. Educational information concerning the adoption process as well as assistance in beginning the process is provided.
Anyone can use the search option on the Cornell University Law School site to search for lawyers specializing in family law or adoptions. Search by city & state.
This online matching service allows you to state your case at no charge and they will match you with lawyers and attorneys in your local area. You can then privately review each lawyer profile, price range, and details to decide which one is right for you.
This document includes contact information for adoption specialist, post-adoption services, and medical assistant specialist. Also included is information regarding eligibility of adoption assistance in the state of Oregon.
Crisis pregnancy counseling assists mothers in understanding adoption options and works to match birth mothers with adoptive families. Several articles online at this site share stories from both birth mother and adoptive family perspectives. Eternal Adoption works directly with adoption lawyers to support you through the adoption process from beginning to end.
Every adoption agency has individual requirements and guidelines they consider when looking at prospective adoptive parents. Unfortunately, the health of the adoptive parents sometimes becomes an obstacle. Agencies seek to protect children who may have already lost a parent from dealing with loss again. Just as there are no guarantees in life, there are no guarantees in the adoption process. However, the Oncofertility Consortium at Northwestern University has compiled a list of adoption agencies that are willing to work with prospective adoptive parents who have a history of cancer.
This is a listing provided by the Family Resource Center (Chicago) of Adoption Attorneys within the state. Name, addresses, and phone numbers are provided.
Howard University provides the Adoption Awareness page to answer questions and provide a list of adoption attorneys within the Washington D.C. area. * It is noted on this page that with assistance from some agencies, the assistance of an adoption lawyer may not be needed.
This association has over three hundred attorneys who specialize in adoptions. In addition to helping you find a local adoption attorney, they work to reform adoption laws and educate the public in the need for adoptive homes. Visit their website for tips on what you should know when retaining an attorney and current news and legislation concerning adoption.
This adoption agency has a legal staff, counselors, therapists, and support groups to assist birth mothers and prospective adoptive parents in finding the adoption plan that is right for them and the child. The Adoption Circle offers both open adoption and confidential (closed) adoptions.
A private adoption service offering private adoption plans, pre-adoption counseling and education, post-adoption services and referrals to professional counselors and educators both pre and post adoptive as requested.
Follow us on