Adopting Through a Child Welfare Agency
The Mechanics of an Adoption of Children in the Custody of the State
Nov 2, 2008
Sometimes it is not possible for parents to have children naturally. Sometimes parents simply decide they would like to adopt a child. Most people have no idea where to start to begin the process of adoption.
Child Welfare Agencies and Adoption
In every state there is a an agency that is charged with the protection of child welfare. Many times, as these agencies exercise their duties, they will seek to have a the rights of a parent terminated. In cases such as this the state will then proceed to locate individuals who may adopt these children. When children come into state custody following their biological parent's parental rights being terminated, the children are screened for adoption.
This screening not only includes the compilation of a comprehensive background for the child, but it also includes matching the child against potential adoptive homes from individuals who have already been screened and approved as an adoptive family.
Starting the Adoption Process
When the decision is made to adopt through a child welfare agency, the process is started by the completion of an adoption application which will include an overview on what a potential adoptive family is willing to accept when adopting a child. Once the application is received it is generally assigned to a case worker who will work the case through the process. While the process may differ somewhat from state to state, the process one will experience is largely similar. Following the review of an application several things will happen.
If an application is approved, a home study will be done which will include the case worker or an investigator visiting the home up to several times. Criminal background checks and sexual offender registry checks will be done. The applicant's credit will be checked. A fire marshal will usually visit the home to ensure safety. References will be checked and any problems found in the process will be explored.
The application and approval process is detailed and can take months to complete.
While this is going on, the applicants will have to attend classes and learn about the needs that are unique to adoptive children as many children will have faced difficult issues prior to adoption. Once the parents have completed the approval process then they are ready to wait for a child to become available for adoption.
Matching Children to Parents
When a child becomes available, agencies from state to state use different approaches to matching children with potential parents, but the process generally starts with the child and his unique situation. The characteristics of a particular child are matched against potential adoptive parents, usually via computer that examines a database. The potential adoptive parents selected by the computer are then examined by committee and then one adoptive family is selected.
Placing the Child
Once a family is selected, family members will be introduced to the child, initially on paper. Following this, there will be a meeting and then more extended time between the potential adoptive parents and the child. Provided there no problems, the child will be permanently placed with the parents. Soon after this there will be a court hearing where an adoption will be granted and the child will be officially adopted.
The adoption process can be time consuming and frustrating; however, by considering this process it is possible for parents to provide a loving home and family to a child that has had a difficult life.
