The Adoption Process
Once you decide to pursue adoption, you will begin the approval process. Because the process varies slightly in different areas of the state, some of steps may also vary.
· Orientation: The first step in many areas is to attend an orientation meeting for prospective adoptive parents. At this meeting, prospective parents may meet experienced adoptive or foster parents and counselors who will provide an overview of the process, involved and the training schedule
· Preparation Course (MAPP): The Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) is a 10-week training and preparation course that adoptive parents are required to successfully complete. These training sessions are usually scheduled at night or on the weekends. The purpose of the training is twofold: for parents to assess themselves and their family and to explore and learn about adoption issues.
· Home Study: During a home study:
1. You will be required to provide information about your health.
2. Background checks at the local, state and federal level will be conducted, including having your fingerprints screened at the federal level.
3. References will be requested from your employer, school officials if you have children in school, and character references from individuals who have known you and your family.
4. The counselor will visit your home at least once to complete the home study. If you have children, it will be important for the counselor to ask them a few questions about what they think about adoption. Some topics that will be discussed with you and your spouse, if you have one, are:
- Why do you want to adopt?
- Describe your childhood.
- What are the strengths of your marriage?
- How do you think a new child in your home will alter your lifestyle?
- Describe your financial situation.
- Describe your parenting style/philosophy.
· Approval: All information is gathered into a home study packet and sent for approval to an adoption specialist. When your application has been approved, you will be notified.
· After Approval: You may continue to check our Web site for children waiting for a forever family and attend recruitment activities, especially picnics or events when foster children hoping to be adopted are in attendance. Notify your counselor when you'd like more information about a certain child or sibling group.
· Match: When the needs of a child (or sibling group) are matched with your family, your adoption counselor will discuss with you the pre-placement activities that must occur. The official placement in your home will occur when you, the child and counselor determine the child is ready.
· Placement Supervision: After you welcome a child into your home, a counselor must make monthly visits to assess the child's adjustment and determine if new or additional services are needed. The supervision period ends when the counselor provides "consent to adopt" to your attorney.
· Finalization: Your attorney will schedule a hearing before a judge. At this hearing, the adoption will be legalized and the child will join your forever family.