Adoption Program

Our Domestic Adoption Process

Recruitment

Recruitment is the first part of the adoption process; it includes creating awareness of adoption and finding qualified families with a desire to adopt waiting children.

Orientation

The first step for prospective parents is to attend an orientation meeting. Staff will share our eligibility requirements, our domestic foster care adoption program, and answer any questions you have.

Training Class

All prospective adoptive parents are required to participate in an 8-10 week Adoption class that will include content adapted from MAPP/GPS certification training. During the training, families will receive all forms required by USAdoption Solutions, including an application to adopt, a description of the home study process, all forms required for certification, and all policies and procedures pertained to adopting through USAdoption Solutions. This class is designed to offer prospective adoptive parents an understanding of the adoption process and the needs of the adoptive children. Each class focuses on a variety of issues intended to help the adoptive family develop the skills needed to parent a “special needs” child. At the end of the training class, you will be in an informed place to decide if indeed adoption is right for you.

Certification of Families

Once all required documentation is received, including health statements, child abuse and criminal clearances, and income statements, the family has completed training and has expressed a desire to become certified pre-adoptive foster parents, the homestudy will be completed. Your social worker will follow you through the entire entire process through finalization and beyond. The Home Study will be a completed document describing your family, your strenghts, and your adoption goals.

Child Search / Matching Process

The matching process is the next service that will be provided to families. The agency understands that each individual child has specific needs, and the goal is to find a family that can best meet those needs. USAdoption Solutions staff will evaluate the strengths and needs of both the family and the specific child or children involved. Once a worker feels that a family is a potential match to a specific child, their home study will be submitted for consideration. This process will vary in length of time due to the strengths and needs of each individual child and family.

When the local or state agency with custody of the child, USAdoption Solutions staff, and the family involved agree that a match exists, the pre-placement phase of service will begin. An introduction will be arranged that is most comfortable for the child involved; this may include photos, video, written descriptions, and eventually a face to face meeting. A visiting schedule will be established based on the negotiated schedules of the sending agency, child, family, and USAdoption Solutions. Once all parties are confident that placement should occur, the child will be moved into the pre-adoptive home.

Child Placement

At the time of placement, the worker will prepare a child specific adoptive placement agreement with the family. A plan will be agreed upon that will include what can be expected by all parties involved, a schedule of social worker visits, and what services will be put in place to ensure a successful placement. Services will be provided to the family until legal finalization, as well as post-finalization, as needed. Post-finalization support services will be offered in the form of support groups, crisis intervention, and referrals to other services available in the community.

Cora was adopted in 2006 with her two brothers and sister.