| v> | | | | information on the adoption process. |
| | | | " Your Judge Advocate General (JAG) can tell you |
| There are many key issues when it comes to | | | | more about the policies between states (ICPC) and |
| adopting while enlisted in the Military. Here are a | | | | international policies on adoption. |
| few tips on how to adopt successfully. | | | | " A local social worker can provide information on |
| There are five key things for military families to | | | | the home study process |
| know in order to have a successful adoption. By | | | | 4. An adoption professional that is excited to work |
| following these five keys, military families will be able | | | | with you |
| to overcome some of the specific obstacles that | | | | Finding the right adoption professional can be a long |
| face them during the adoption process. | | | | and daunting task. But once you locate a good |
| 1. An optimistic attitude | | | | adoption professional, they can guide you in the |
| Although attitude is not everything, an optimistic | | | | adoption process. Their skill and knowledge will make |
| attitude can be a source of strength when going | | | | the whole process easier for you. Visit Mardie |
| through the adoption process. Remember what the | | | | Caldwell, COAP for some great advice in finding the |
| end result is going to be; the adopting of an adorable | | | | right adoption professional. |
| loving child will keep you in an optimistic mood. | | | | 5. A Fantastic Profile |
| 2. Knowledge of the Interstate Compact for the | | | | Get started on your profile today. Even if you have |
| Placement of Children (ICPC) | | | | not found the perfect adoption professional yet, you |
| This is an agreement between states to work | | | | can still start putting together your dynamic profile. |
| together for what is best for the children in their | | | | Especially if you are planning on adopting an infant, |
| state. The agreement is meant for adoptive families | | | | you will need to have a profile that will show off |
| that wish to adopt outside of their state. The states | | | | what a great life you have and how well you will |
| will work together to provide resources to families | | | | provide for your new addition. Pieces of this profile |
| and children from other states during and after an | | | | are also sometimes added to a home study, so even |
| adoption placement. | | | | if you are looking at only adopting an older child, you |
| Many military families are aware of this agreement, | | | | can start putting together this information right away. |
| but may not be aware of the fact that ICPC is also | | | | There are many options for military families looking |
| in effect for military bases overseas. Because military | | | | for assistance with adoption. Below are service |
| bases are U.S. territories, any family based | | | | providers who have experience helping military |
| internationally can still adopt from the states through | | | | families with adopiton and who may be able to help |
| the ICPC. | | | | you too! |
| 3. Vast resources of information | | | | Adoption Services approximately 120 adoptions a |
| There are numerous websites devoted to helping | | | | year and has experience placing children with US |
| military families during the adoption process. It can | | | | Military families stationed overseas. |
| sometimes be overwhelming trying to find | | | | Free Adoption Informational Meeting for Prospective |
| information that is actually helpful to your situation. | | | | Adoptive Families |
| Here are a few very informative websites: with | | | | Have you thought about adopting a child but don't |
| Mardie Caldwell, COAP and are great resources for | | | | know where to start? |