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There are many ways to build a family. Adoption is one of those choices.
And, there are many reasons to adopt a child from the foster care system: to give a child a chance at a better life; to experience the joy and fulfillment a child brings to a family and home; to share the gifts given us with someone else. Adoption provides unique opportunities to change children's lives and enrich the life of the potential adoptive parent or family that welcomes them in.
The first step towards adoption is a two hour orientation meeting for prospective adoptive parents. The orientation provides a more in-depth review of the program and the steps to becoming an adoptive parent. At this meeting, the prospective parents may meet experienced adoptive or foster parents and one or more counselors who will provide an overview of the entire adoption process from start to finish, including timeframes involved and the training schedule.
Call 813-643-KIDS (5437) to register to attend the next orientation!
The Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting is a ten-week training and preparation course that adoptive parents are required to successfully complete. The training will give you the opportunity to assess yourself and your family and to explore and learn about adoption issues.
The purpose of the home study is to make sure you can provide a child with a safe and secure home. During this time, local, state and federal background checks will be conducted on all adults living in the household. You will be required to supply references from your employer and school officials if you have children in school and character references from individuals who have known you and your family.
A counselor will visit your home at least once to talk to you and other family members about adoption. The counselor will ask you about your reasons for wanting to adopt, your financial situation and your parenting style and philosophy. If you are married, you may be asked about the strength of your marriage. It is important to be completely open and honest during these interviews and to remember that everyone involved is working together to ensure a successful adoption.
All of the information is gathered into a home study packet and sent for approval to an adoption specialist. You will be notified as soon as your application is approved.
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"All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them."
"Magic" Johnson, adopted
Adoptive parents are needed to provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for children in foster care. Find out if adoption is in your future.
You may continue to look at available children on the web and attend adoptive parent support group meetings. When your home study is completed, you may attend recruitment activities including the picnics or events when foster children who are available for adoption are in attendance. Notify your counselor when you are interested and need more information about a certain child or sibling group.
Once you and your adoption counselor have identified a child that seems to be a perfect match, it will be time to learn as much as you can about the child. You may talk to the child's foster parents or social worker to gain valuable insight into the child's personality and background. At the same time you are learning about the child, the counselor is sharing information about out and your family with the child. Some families prepare a neighborhood as a good way to introduce themselves to the child prior to an initial visit. When the child is comfortable, an initial short visit occurs. This initial visit is followed by longer and longer visits until the counselor, child and family agree that an overnight or extended visit can occur. There is no set timeframe for getting to know each other. The official placement in your home will occur when you, the child and the counselor determine that the child is ready.
After the child is place in your home, a counselor must make monthly visits in order to assess the child's adjustment and to determine whether new or additional services are needed. The supervision period ends when the counselor provides "Consents to Adopt" to your attorney.
Usually a child lives with the adoptive family for six months before the adoption is finalized. At the end of this period, your attorney will schedule a hearing before a judge. The adoption will be legalized at the hearing and the child will officially become part of your family.
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