How to Adopt - What is the Procedure?

The search for a child begins, in most cases, at the agency level. A prospective adopter can contact an adoption agency and express an interest in adopting a child with special needs, A home study (a series of meetings between the family and social worker to assess the potential for a successful adoption and learn more about adoption) will be done. Once this is completed, the agency will let the family know about available children who may be appropriate for them. Since many children with special needs are legally free for adoption and are waiting for permanent homes, there may be only a short wait for a child.

State agencies and their adoption exchanges receive names of waiting children from both public and private agencies. Exchanges, which provides services free of charge, do not have children in their custody, but take referrals and try to facilitate placements. As a person interested in adopting a child with special needs, you may want to contact one or more exchange. You may be able to register yourself of have your social worker do it for you.

Regional and national exchanges take referrals of children from several States and circulate information about adoption. A listing of these resources can be obtained from the Clearinghouse.

A national photo-listing book, Children Awaiting Parents, Inc., has listing of children throughout the United States who need wider exposure. Agency workers who send in the child's name must be willing to place a child across State lines. This photo-listing book contains information on 500 children and has biweekly updates. Your local adoptive parent groups or adoption agencies may have this book. For further information you can contact Children Awaiting Parents, Inc., 700 Exchange Street, Rochester, New York 14608 (716-232-5110).

The National Adoption Center, a private, nonprofit organization that promotes adoption opportunities for children with special needs, operates a telecommunications network. this computer-based network links parent groups, agencies, and exchanges. A family who has completed an adoption home study may register with Center. Contact Center at 1500 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19102, (215)-735-9988 or 1-800-TO-ADOPT.

What is a home study?
A home study, conducted by an adoption agency, is a series of meetings between a social worker and prospective adopter that provide an opportunity to learn more about adoption and parenting and to prepare for adoption. the home study process varies from agency to agency. Some conduct individual and joint interviews with a husband and wife or individual interviews with a single person who wants to adopt. Others conduct group home studies with several families at one time, including single and married applicants. A few agencies ask applicants for written information about themselves and their life experiences.

In general, the group sessions (usually 6-8) cover topics such as parenting skills, the pros and cons of adoption, ways to introduce extended family to adoption, and ways to help the child adjust to his or her new family. Part of the home study includes at least one home visit by an agency worker. This helps the worker determine if the home environment will be safe and nurturing for the child. It also gives the family an opportunity to discuss its concerns and needs with the worker.

When the adoption study has been completed, the agency will often present photographs and descriptions of children who are available to the family and will follow up if the family shows an interest in a particular child.

Families say that they find the home study process beneficial; it allows them to consider deeply their personal feelings about adoption and to explore their readiness for a child.

For more information about home studies, consult the Clearinghouse fact sheet, "The Adoption home Study Process."

Your completed adoption home study file will contain:
Forms & written (typed or printed) material:

• Application to Care for a Child in SOSCF Custody
• Family Financial Report
• Medical Report A
• History Form
• Personal Questionaire
• Consent for Criminal Records & Fingerprint Check
• Adoptive Family Information and Placement Preference (to be completed with the adoption worker)
• Safety Checklist Requirements (to be completed with the adoption worker)
• Medical Report B (completed be Health care Provided). Provide physicians with the enclosed SCF Business Reply envelopes.

Documents:

• Marriage Certificate (for couples)
• Divorce Decrees (if applicable)
• Death Certificate (if applicable)

Additional:

• Four letters of reference (one can be from a family member)
  
These will be sent out by the office upon receipt of your application
• Family picture book
• Family photo (6 color Xerox copies) (optional)
• Five minute video presentation of you family (optional)

The Adoption Committee
Once your family has a completed and approved home study, you will work with your adoption worker to seek a child who would best match the interests and strengths of your family. A waiting child's caseworker will select home studies from families that would best meet the needs of the child to go to adoption committee will receive detailed information about the child so they can make the best decisions about the likelihood of a match. The adoption committee is dedicated to assessing the child's needs in conjunction with the strengths and abilities of the candidate families. Baased on what is in the best interest of the child, the committee selects the family with whom the child will be placed. Oregon is a pioneer in the Adoption process.

ADOPTION SUBSIDIES
Adoption assistance by state