Welcome to Adoption Tips

Starting Your Relationship

You have decided on a child, you´re ready to meet them. There are some important questions and answers you need to resolve before taking the child into your home. Insist on a psychological evaluation. Obtain all medical records for the child. Speak to the psychiatrist or therapist treating the child and get their input as to the best treatment plan and what the future might hold for this child.

Is This Something I Can Afford?

There are many incentives to an adoptive parent. If you go through a private agency, you will have to pay for a homestudy. If you go through a public agency such as DSS, there is no charge for a homestudy.

Also in special needs adoptions, travelling expenses, hotels and other related expenses may be reimbursed as well as the adoption finalization fees.

How long will it take?

The time it will take for a perspective adoptive couple to complete an adoption varies but the majority of ANLC´s clients wait less than eight months to be selected by a birthmother.

Am I ready?

Adoption can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Choosing to adopt a child means you are willing to make a lifelong commitment to raising a child and creating a family for that child.

Single and adopting

Just becasue you are single does not mean that you can not adopt a child. Most states allow single people and unmarried couples to adopt.

How Long Does Adoption Take?

Looking for a child to complete your family is no easy task. After completion of your homestudy, parenting classes, etc. you can start the search process. The search and selection can take a few months to a couple of years.

Where To Start

Searching for an adoptable child can be a very overwhelming task. You can register with agencies, clearinghouses, search via the internet, browse books provided by individual states, network with other parents or contact agencies directly.

Child Protective Services and Adoption

Protect yourself and your family from abuse by Child Protective Services.

The federal government, through a program called Adoption 2002, provides financial bonuses to states that exceed the previous years' number of adoptions from foster care. This gives child protection workers an incresed incentive to terminate the parental rights of mothers and fathers who have done nothing but love their children. Low income families are at an increased risk because they have more difficulty finding adequate legal representation.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to know your rights. The American Family Rights Association is an excellent resource for parents and children in the fight against unnecessary CPS adoptions.

After the match

When an adoptive couple meets their birthmother for the first time, there are at least two things to keep in mind: 1) Be yourself, and 2) Avoid any expression of fears. If you have any concerns, share them with your counselor since the birthmother is probably under a lot of stree.