Frequently Asked Questions
Answers
Is there an application fee? If so what is yours?
There is no fee to have the information packet sent to you. However, if you would like to start the process of adopting through The Adoption Center of Choice, there will be a $250 application fee due upon the receipt of the application.
What is a Home Study?
This information is provided by: Child Welfare Information Gateway
The laws of every State and the District of Columbia require all prospective adoptive parents (no matter how they intend to adopt) to participate in a home study. This process has three purposes:
* Educate and prepare the adoptive family for adoption
* Evaluate the fitness of the adoptive family
* Gather information about the prospective parents that will help a social worker connect the family with a child whose needs they can meet
With accurate information about the process, prospective parents can face the home study experience with confidence and the excitement that should accompany the prospect of welcoming a child into the family. It may be helpful to remember that agencies are not looking for perfect parents. Rather, they are looking for a good match between a child's needs and a family's ability to meet those needs.
Elements of the Home Study:
Interviews
You will probably be interviewed several times by a social worker. These interviews help you develop a relationship with your social worker that will enable him or her to better understand your family and assist you with an appropriate placement.
Home visits
Home visits primarily serve to ensure that your home offers a safe environment for a child and meets State licensing standards (e.g., working smoke alarms, safe storage of firearms, safe water, pools covered/fenced, and adequate space for each child). Your home should be free from hazards and offer a child-friendly environment for the age range for which you are being licensed.
Health Statements
The Adoption Agency of Choice requires prospective adoptive parents to have a recent physical exam and a statement from a physician confirming that they are essentially healthy, have a normal life expectancy, and are physically and mentally able to handle the care of a child.
Income Statements
You do not have to be rich to adopt. You do have to show you can manage your finances responsibly and adequately. Usually, prospective parents are asked to verify their income by providing copies of paycheck stubs, W-4 forms, or income tax forms.
Background Checks
All States require criminal and child abuse record checks for adoptive and foster parent applicants. In many States, local, State, and Federal clearances are required. Fingerprints may be taken as well.
Autobiographical Statement
The Adoption Agency of Choice will ask prospective adoptive parents to write an autobiographical statement or story. This is, essentially, the story of your life. It helps the social worker understand your family better and assists him or her in writing the home study report. The Adoption Agency of Choice also ask prospective adoptive parents to write a letter or create an album or scrapbook about your family to be shared with expectant parents who are considering placing their child for adoption, to help them choose an adoptive family.
References
The Adoption Agency of Choice will ask you to supply names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three or four people who will serve as references for you. References help the social worker form a more complete picture of your family and support network.
How long does a Home Study take?
On average, a home study process takes anywhere from one to three months to complete. You can help speed the process by filling out your paperwork, scheduling your medical appointments, and gathering the required documents without delay.
What training is needed?
At The Adoption Center of Choice, we want all of our adoptive parents to be trained and informed. We will teach you about the needs of children waiting for families, adoption issues, and agency requirements. We will also help you to decide the type of child or children you could parent most effectively.
What is an online profile?
Once you have filled out an application, you will be asked to create an online profile. This is a fantastic benefit that will increase your exposure and connect you with birthparents.
We make it easy for you to create your own online profile. Among other things, our user friendly features and tools will allow you to:
- Write a personal letter to the birthmother.
- Create a photo album. You will be able to add pictures that represent your family,
- interests and hobbies, extended families, friends, home, vacations, traditions, etc.
- Generate a home summary. This will be a synopsis of your family that includes topics
- such as hobbies, interests, and views on discipline and education.
- Upload videos
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Keep an online blog
What is a national outreach program?
The Adoption Center of Choice implements a well executed adoption advertising and marketing plan to decrease the time it takes to adopt. We aggressively market to birthmothers through MSN, Yahoo, Google, and many specific adoption sites. In addition, we reach out to the following health and social service organizations and outreach programs:
- Maternity Homes
- Family Planning Clinics
- Crisis Pregnancy Clinics
- Hospitals and Medical Clinics
- Teen Pregnancy Programs
- Church Groups
- Chat Rooms
- Civic Organizations
- Abortion Clinics
- Bulletin Boards
- Pregnancy Hotlines
- Physicians
- Community Referrals
- Social Workers
- High Schools, Colleges and
- Universities
What is expected to be in my profile?
During the adoption study process, you will prepare a three-part profile. This profile includes a 'Dear Birth Parent' letter in which you can express yourselves more personally to potential birth parents. It also includes a Home Summary which is a synopsis of your family including topics such as hobbies and interests, and views on discipline and education. The third piece of the profile is the picture pages. Families create a minimum of three or a maximum of ten back-to-back picture pages. These picture pages should represent you as a family, your interests and hobbies, your extended family and friends, pictures of your home, vacations or holiday traditions, etc. Your adoption worker will be in close communication with you regarding the birth parents to which you are open to being shown. Based on the profiles they are shown, prospective birth parents choose a family for their child. Adoptive families are often given the opportunity to meet with the birth parents once they are chosen.
How do I start?
Simply Call 1-801-224-2440 or complete the convenient Contact Form. Once you decide to move forward, you will be sent all the paperwork necessary to start your adoption journey.
What are some questions I should ask myself before adopting?
Can I handle the fact that my adopted child will not carry on my genes?
Will my family accept an adopted child?
Am I financially ready for an adopted child?
If not do I know how to obtain funds for an adoption?
Do I have time for a child?
Am I open to a child that has special needs? If so how what conditions are you willing to accept?
Am I open to adopt a child of any race?
Am I open to a child who's birth parents used tobacco, alcohol or drugs? If so what am I open to?
