Adoptive Parent Information
1. Inquiry
· Making
contact with an agency
· Private
consultation
2. Application Requirements
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To complete the adoptive
process, families must:
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Demonstrate the ability to
provide a stable, nurturing environment for a child.
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Complete the home study
process as described below.
3. Assessment and Preparation for Adoption
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To prepare for adoption,
families typically participate in the following:
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Training seminar: this
small group format serves two purposes. It educates participants about
all aspects of adoption and also provides practical assistance in
searching for and working with birth parents (recommended, not
required).
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A family interviewing
process which includes assessments of applicants' emotional and physical
health, as well as, stability and readiness for parenthood (required).
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Completing necessary
paperwork which includes medical examinations, reference letters, review
of income and residence, a certificate of marriage, record clearance
checks (police record and child protective services record) and a family
profile to be shown to birth parents (required).
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Adoptive Home Qualifications
Residence and Citizenship:
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U.S. citizenship is not
required, but the status of non-citizens is investigated.
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Marital Status: Both
married and single persons are encouraged to apply to adopt. Although
there is no minimum number of years of marriage required for couples,
the security of the marital relationship and the commitment of both
parents to adoption is explored. We also believe in the ability of
single parents to provide a good home and applications from these
persons are welcome.
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Finances: Your ability to
manage your income is more important than how much money you have. It
is only necessary that you have good enough income on a regular basis to
insure reasonable financial security in providing for the child's care.
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Housing: It is not
necessary to own your home in order to adopt. Your living arrangements
should offer enough space and should insure the health, safety, and well
being of your family and the child you wish to adopt.
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Other Children: Only you
can determine how small or large your family should be, so we make no
requirements regarding the current size of your family.
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Health: Your physical
health and life expectancy are important, as well as your emotional
health. Parents should be able to handle the everyday responsibilities
of raising a child. There are no restrictions regarding disabled
persons, unless their disability would hinder their fulfilling their
parental role.
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Religion: A family's values
and beliefs are influential and significant in a child's development.
However, adoptive applicants are not required to claim a religious
faith. Our main concern is the provision of a wholesome environment in
which the child is accepted and nurtured.
4. Recommendation
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After the preparation phase is
complete, families are recommended when they have demonstrated their
readiness for parenting and have completed all necessary documentation.
5. Placement of the Child
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Birth parents and adoptive
parents choose each other.
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Birth and placement of the
child occurs
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Adoptive and birth parents go
to court after the child is born for the birth parents to give consent to
the adoption.
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Contact with birth parents
after placement is the legal and parental decision of the adoptive parents.
6. Post Placement
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For a minimum of six months
following placement the adoption social worker provides follow-up contacts
with the adoptive family. Finalization of the adoption occurs approximately
6-9 months after the child is placed in the home.
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