My husband and I would really like to adopt a child, but the whole process seems very overwhelming. Any information would be appreciated.
2007-03-01 16:34:05 · 8 answers · asked by Juli 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
Your state CPS or DHS can help. They take children from homes for many different reasons and always have children waiting to be placed for adoption. You will get to look at the childs case file and have visits with the child before you agree on adoption. You can contact your local agency. You will most likely have to take a class and go through home visits and certain other things as well. If you are wanting an infant I will just let you know that it is very hard to adopt an infant unless you know of someone wanting to put their baby up for adoption. You can also go to www.adoptuskids.org however the list does not have all the children on the website. If you are opposed to adopting through CPS then you can contact an adoption attorney. I will let you know that if you adopt a child through CPS/DHS then they pay for the adoption fees. I am a foster mom and there are a lot of wonderful kids through the state who need someone to love and care for them.
2007-03-01 16:52:38 · answer #1 · answered by SAHMommy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It CAN BE overwhelming!!! I know first hand! Anyhow, start by checking out local agencies in your area. Many host adoption seminars that you can attend. Once you decide on an agency or an adoption attorney, the work begins. Your homestudy could take up to 3 months to complete and be approved. Some of the criteria include
FBI backround check
Criminal records
Driving records
Full Physical
TB/HIV tests
Home inspection by Fire Dept, HHS, and social worker
4 letters of referral for you from non family
autobiography written by you of you and your spouse
Fee for homestudy (ours was $2500.00)
3 visits with social worker
and son on
Once approved, you start the endless "wait" or what seems to be endless. You must give up control and try and be patient. It is an emotional rollercoaster, but well worth it.
My husband and I have been waiting for our domestic adoption placement since April of 2006. We have been considered along with other couples several times already and not chosen by the birthmother due to a "connection" she felt with other couples by viewing our scrap books and Dear Birthmother letters. I know that it is extremely difficult for them to decide. I continue to trust the process however, and know the right baby will come to us.
Good Luck
2007-03-01 19:36:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I are also looking to adopt a child. We have several friends who went through the local DSS. The easiest way to adopt is to become foster parents first. After about 6 weeks of training (it varies by state and county) a child will be placed with you. You can specifically request only children who most likely will be put up for adoption soon. The state sends you a check every month to help cover costs. If the child is under 5, the state places the child on WIC. It is nothing to be afraid of; just take one small step at a time, and before you know it, you will be dropping your son off at soccer practice or your daughter off at ballet class!
2007-03-01 17:37:55 · answer #3 · answered by jcoandwsf 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what type of adoption you want and what is required by the state. Like my state, Colorado is an agency required state. So I have to go through an agency in order to adopt. Some states are not agency required states so you could go through an adoption attorney or a facilitator. Search online and find out if your state is an agency required state.
If it is, then start researching adoption agencies. I suggest joining some adoption groups and forums in order to learn more and get reviews on agencies. There are some good adoption agency review groups on yahoo.
Once you find an agency you like, request a brochure from them and look it over. Then go from there. They will assist you with everything you need to complete from there on out. You might be able to do an independent adoption too. That is where you take on the responsibility of finding your own birthmom instead of paying them to do it for you. That can save you some $$$. You can post ads at http://www.adoptads.com in search of a birthmom. A lot of people have been looking online and having a lot of success with that.
I think its great you are looking into adoption :) We hope to do it too in the next few years.
2007-03-02 03:49:58 · answer #4 · answered by totsandtwins04 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It IS overwhelming. It takes over your life, sometimes for years. But it's worth it.
There are
agencies
facilitators
and lawyers. All use different methods. I recommend an agency, but there are advantages & disadvantages to each. Check the phone book or the internet. Set aside a day to make some calls. Ask the same questions of all. Ask about cost, about relinquishment requirements, about openness, and waiting periods, about homestudy requirements.
Lots of good books out there--check the library--the one I recommend most is Adopting After Infertility, by Patricia Irwin Johnston.
2007-03-01 16:59:16 · answer #5 · answered by Wise Advice 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here are the common "Ten Steps" to adoption, as a place to start:
http://adopt.org/servlet/page?_pageid=56&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&_type=site&_fsiteid=34&_fid=2466&_fnavbarid=3138&_fnavbarsiteid=34&_fedit=0&_fmode=2&_fdisplaymode=1&_fcalledfrom=1&_fdisplayurl=
2007-03-01 16:44:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
your state agency, sometimes they have free class on adoption prepration and they have other resources that may help you when it comes to legal fees etc
2007-03-01 16:38:48 · answer #7 · answered by shears200 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lawyer would be the first person you should talk to they will get the ball rolling!!!
2007-03-01 16:37:57 · answer #8 · answered by bec 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋