Child

Adoption

Services

6487 Whitby Road

San Antonio, Texas 78240

Telephone: (210) 696-2410

WHEN IS ADOPTION AN OPTION?

Adoption plays an important part in the lives of everyone involved in the

adoption process from the birth mother to the adoptive parents and, of

course, the adopted child. Adoption also has a vital role to play in society,

as well. Adoption gives pregnant women who are not yet ready to take on

the responsibilities of parenthood an option to help their child. It gives

couples who are ready to expand their family with the addition of a new

son or daughter an alternative way to do so. And, most importantly,

adoption gives babies and children waiting to be adopted a chance at a

new life in a loving family.

The adoption process can be time consuming and prospective couples may

face obstacles along the way, but in the end the opportunity to welcome a

new bundle of joy into your heart makes the whole adoption process well

worthwhile.

Domestic Adoption Process

Couples considering domestic adoption have a few choices when it comes

to where to go. There are public adoption centers, private licensed

adoption agencies, and personal adoption facilitators among others. No

matter where a couple decides to seek counsel, it is important to choose a

trusted adoption agency that will help you through the adoption process.

Before a couple can complete a domestic adoption, they will have to go

through the adoption application process, which will include a home study,

paperwork, attending an adoption readiness seminar and payment.

Throughout this process, the adoption agency will be looking to make sure

the hopeful couple is ready for the responsibility and expenses that come

with raising a child. The same is true whether a couple chooses infant

domestic adoption or older child domestic adoption. This process may seem

daunting, but it is all done to ensure the safety of the child, and to help

the parents prepare themselves for their new life.

Once the couple has completed the required steps, they are ready to adopt.

There is no set waiting time for this part of the process, as the couple

typically has to wait for a birth mother to choose them. When they are

chosen, the adoptive couple is finally united with their new son or daughter.

There is often a post-adoption supervision period, in which the adoption

agency staff checks in to ensure everything is going well for the new family.

Afterwards, the adoption is complete and the new family can begin their

new life together in a loving, safe environment.

Adopting a child is an important decision that requires careful consideration.

Are you contemplating adoption, or are you already planning to adopt a

child? Do you have any idea about how or where to start? Providence Place

will guide you through the adoption process while making sure all your

questions are answered. Contact us today to learn more about adoption.

THE ADOPTION PROCESS IN THE US: HOW IS ADOPTION DONE?

You may have heard a lot of happy adoption stories from parents and

families who opened their home to an adopted child. The adoption process

shared by families is very inspiring. If you are someone who plans to adopt

a child, below is the step-by-step process you should be aware of, in order

to experience a successful adoption.

It is important to note that adoption is a unique privilege, and not a “right”.

Therefore, your eligibility for adoption is subject to the determination of

the state. As you decide to pursue adoption, getting in touch with your

local adoption agency and attending an orientation meeting about adoption

is your best first step. Attending this adoption orientation should give you

a more comprehensive knowledge about the adoption process, and

adoption in general.

Step 1: Application.

As soon as you decide to go for adoption, the first step will be filing your

adoption application. Along with this application, you will be required to

undergo further orientations, seminars, and trainings related to your

preparation for adoption. This is a mandatory step and takes place at

adoption information centers and other venues involved in the process.

Step 2: Case Study.

After having successfully filed your application and completed the

requirements attached to it, you will then be subject to a case study by

your assigned caseworker. The purpose of this case study is to determine

whether you are ready to adopt.

Step 3: Approval.

Approval follows your case study if you have been determined to be fit to

adopt. The case study involves background checks and a home study, and

the results of these will be considered in the approval process.

Step 4: Matching and Preparation.

Following your approval for adoption is the matching and preparation stage,

where you will be paired with a child of whose needs you are likely to be

able to provide. This process may involve evaluation from the birth mothers,

as they review each adoptive family profile and consider a good possible

match for the baby.

Step 5: Placement and Adoption.

Finally, a child from a center for adoption or other adoption agency will be

placed in your custody, still subject to the legalities to finalize your adoption.

Step 6: Legalizing Adoption.

The last step in adoption is formalizing your adoption by complying with

the requirements outlined in your adoption agreement, in order to legalize

your adoption of that child. This final step usually takes 6 months to a year

after the child is first adopted by you. Adoption cost can range from $5,000

to 40,000, depending on a number of factors involved in the adoption.

Being an adoptive parent is a priceless feeling, and not all are given the

chance to have this kind of experience. The process does take time,

cooperation and patience. Nevertheless, adopting is worth the time and

effort for loving parents who want to expand the horizons of a child.

WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK AN ADOPTION AGENCY

If you are considering adopting a child, you are already keenly aware of all

the uncertainties and unknowns. You have probably asked all these

questions and more:

Will the birthmother change her mind? How do I know the status of the

child? How long will the adoption process take? What are the required legal

processes and how can I check that I have completed them all? What will

the total costs be?

If you have decided to use an adoption agency to facilitate the new addition

to your family, they should be happy to help answer all your questions, and

there are some questions that they should be made to answer no matter

what. Here are three broad questions that you should ask of an adoption

agency. They will help you to verify whether they are a qualified provider

of adoption services.

Adoption laws are in fact quite complicated. They can change depending

on which state you live in, and based on the state that your prospective

child lives in. There are forms and contracts to complete, submit, and track;

you may also need to work with various authorities in the courts. An

adoption agency that is on top of the necessary adoption services will be

able to provide answers and education about your role in all of these

processes.

It will also be important to have an idea of what legal services are not

covered by the adoption agency. If you visit your state’s official website,

you can learn more about the laws in your area. With this information, ask

your adoption agency if they have familiarity navigating the laws, and what

their success and failures have been in meeting them.

What do your fees include (and leave out)?

As with legal processes, there are many different costs associated with the

adoption process. When you speak with an adoption agency, they should

offer resources and guidance about all of the costs – even those beyond

the fees that they charge.

This will also be a good time to discuss grants and financial assistance.

Adoption agencies may already be working with grant providers and other

funders, and they may be able to assist you with an application for financial

aid immediately.

On another note, never be afraid to ask about the details of a program you

are expected to pay for. If they charge a placement fee, ask about the rigor

of their process and the method for matching families. If they charge

annually for a home study, inquire into the average amount of years it

takes for them complete an adoption. When you support an adoption

agency with your money, it is your right to know the extent and success

rate of the services that they provide.

What support services do you offer?

Some families have had the experience of looking forward to having a new

child, and even supporting a birthmother emotionally, only to experience

loss when the birthmother opts out of the adoption. With such a difficult

decision, and so much at stake, you cannot blame anyone for struggling to

make the best decision.

However, truly good adoption agencies that care about the process will be

sure to incorporate everyone directly affected by the adoption. This ranges

from the birthmother, to the child or baby, and also to the adoptive family.

Everyone plays a different role in the process, and each person has valid

needs. As you consider an adoption agency, ask about how they provide

support to each person, each of whom is vulnerable. Seek an agency that

provides education, counseling, and support so that each person involved

can make the best decision.

About Action Adoption at Providence Place:

Adopting a child is an important decision that requires careful consideration.

Are you contemplating adoption, or are you already planning to adopt a

child? Do you have any idea about how or where to start? Action Adoption

at Providence Place of San Antonio, Texas will guide you through the

adoption process while making sure all your questions are answered.

Contact us today to learn more about adoption and ways to get involved

with our organization.