| Adopting a child is a rewarding decision, whether you | | | | you can request information from several agencies in |
| choose to adopt to expand your family or to provide | | | | your area. Attend several agencies' orientations. |
| a loving home to a needy child. However, deciding to | | | | These orientations will explain their adoption steps |
| adopt is just the first step in the process. There are | | | | and fees, allow you to ask questions, and allow you |
| several more decisions, steps, and paperwork that | | | | to talk with others involved in the process, such as |
| must be completed before adoption can be finalized | | | | birthmothers, parents who have adopted, and other |
| and your family complete. | | | | couples considering adoption. Get as much out of |
| First, you have the choice of using a public or private | | | | these sessions as possible so you can compare each |
| adoption agency. There are several differences | | | | orientation and choose the agency you feel most |
| between the two methods of adopting. Decide if you | | | | comfortable with. Next, choose the agency that you |
| desire to adopt domestically or internationally, and if | | | | would like to work with. After choosing the agency, |
| there are other characteristics you may want in a | | | | you can fill out their application, and return it with the |
| child, such as a specific gender, age, or race. | | | | registration fee. The agency will review and accept |
| Public Adoption Agency | | | | or reject your application for adoption. |
| A public adoption agency generally deals with | | | | The Home Study |
| adoption from foster care and social services. | | | | After the agency has reviewed and accepted your |
| Typically, the children in foster care are older than | | | | application for adoption. If you are accepted, you |
| toddlers, meaning you may not have the option to | | | | must complete a home study. The main purpose of |
| take home an infant. However, you can usually | | | | the home study is to evaluate your home |
| choose the age and race of the child. There are | | | | environment to ensure that it is suitable for a child |
| thousands of children waiting in foster care who are | | | | and that the child will be properly cared for. Also, the |
| frequently moved around and need a permanent | | | | home study aims to help you as adoptive parents to |
| home. The advantage of public agencies is that they | | | | prepare for the arrival of the child and learn how to |
| are less expensive than private adoption agencies | | | | parent. Your agency will advise you of their preferred |
| because the fees are paid for by the county or | | | | method for the home study (as there are several |
| state. | | | | ways to complete the state requirement). The study |
| Private Adoption Agency | | | | will include at least one visit with a social worker in |
| A private agency can assist you with a domestic or | | | | your home, and possibly some educational parenting |
| international adoption. Private agencies are perhaps | | | | classes with other adoptive families. Finally, you will be |
| the right choice if you would like to adopt a domestic | | | | required to have a physical exam, a fingerprint inking, |
| newborn. They can pair you with birthparents that | | | | and a background check. Home study takes on |
| are pregnant, and guide you through the adoption | | | | average two months to complete. |
| process until after the birth of the baby when your | | | | The Next Step |
| parental rights are established. Private agencies also | | | | Finally, the only step left is to wait. Your waiting |
| have the advantage of offering counseling to | | | | period depends on many factors. Adoptive parents |
| everyone involved in the adoption process. This can | | | | and birthmothers or children are carefully matched |
| help birthparents better deal with their adoption | | | | based on their needs and desires, such as if they |
| choice, and help all parties to be emotionally and | | | | desire an open, semi-open, or closed adoption. |
| mentally prepared for the process ahead. Oftentimes, | | | | Adopting a child of another race besides Caucasian |
| counseling helps birthparents to continue with their | | | | may significantly reduce your waiting time. A |
| initial decision to give the child to the adoptive | | | | Caucasian newborn adoption usually takes one to five |
| parents, which they have the right to change up to | | | | years. An international adoption may take up to a |
| 48 hours after the birth of the baby, a situation | | | | year or more, depending on the foreign country's |
| which is devastating to attached adoptive parents. | | | | adoptive policies. |
| Private adoption agencies can also assist the | | | | Finalization of Adoption |
| birthmother with prenatal care, maternity clothes, | | | | After receiving the child, the parental rights of the |
| housing, and legal assistance, which can be paid for | | | | birthparents will be terminated. After the child has |
| by the adoptive parents. However, private agencies | | | | been in your home for six months, the social worker |
| tend to be more expensive than public adoptions and | | | | must submit a recommendation for approval, and a |
| can be selective when choosing adoptive parents. | | | | judge finalizes the adoption by identifying you as the |
| Researching and Choosing the Adoption Agency | | | | official adoptive parents of the child, giving you all |
| Once you decide what type of agency fits you best, | | | | legal rights and responsibilities to your child. |