Adoptive Parents Q & A
- Q. My husband and I have contacted
numerous adoption agencies, and many seem to have different
estimates regarding the time frame we might wait before a
child would be placed in our home for adoption. How long
can we expect to wait with Adoption 4KIDS? <Read
Answer>
- Q. We have heard that many times birth
parents will want to meet the adoptive couple. Is this
a requirement for adoption with Adoption 4KIDS? <Read
Answer>
- Q. We have also considered international
adoption because we have heard that there are too many legal
risks involved in adopting a child in the United States.
Is there any truth to this? <Read
Answer>
- Q. We are open to adopting a child
of any age. Does Adoption 4KIDS have older children available
for private adoption? <Read Answer>
- Q. My husband and I have done some
research on adoption, and we noticed that there seem
to be different criteria for qualifying adopting parents,
which vary
with each agency. What are Adoption 4KIDS’ criteria
for prospective adoptive parents? <Read
Answer>
- Q. We are new to adoption and are
uncertain as to what a home study involves. What types
of things will take place during this process? <Read
Answer>
Q. My husband and I have contacted
numerous adoption agencies, and many seem to have different
estimates regarding the time
frame we might wait before a child would be placed in our home
for adoption. How long can we expect to wait with Adoption 4KIDS? A. First of all, we do not have a waiting list where, for example,
the third baby born is placed with third couple on a list. We
feel strongly that the birth parents who are depending on us
for guidance and direction in this difficult time in their lives
deserve to be given the opportunity to choose the couple they
want to be parents for their child. Once the prospective adoptive
couple has completed the home study process and has been approved,
they will be presented to a potential birth parent as part of
an album with family photos and brief bios which include their
ages, length of marriage, hobbies and interests, status of children
already in the home, and the most meaningful Bible verse to them.
Birth parents can then look through this album in a non-pressured
environment and choose the family with whom they feel most comfortable.
There is really no reliable way to predict the length of time
you may wait for placement of a child. We are here to help place
you in a position to receive the child that God has chosen for
you.
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Q. We have heard that many times birth parents will want to
meet the adoptive couple. Is this a requirement for adoption
with
Adoption 4KIDS?
A. Meeting with the birth parent(s) is a decision that you
may make. However, it is not uncommon for a birth parent to request
such a meeting. One of our adoption counselors would always be
present at the meeting to insure that the common goal of each
party is accomplished. Often it is very reassuring to a birth
parent to be able to make this connection with her child’s
future parents, and to get a sense of their personalities as
well as their hearts’ desire for a child.
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Q. We have also considered international adoption because
we have heard that there are too many legal risks involved
in
adopting a child in the United States. Is there any truth to
this?
A. Unfortunately, we have seen the media bringing to the forefront
adoption cases that have gone wrong. The truth is, there are
far more adoptions with successful outcomes. Changes in laws
regarding birth father rights and responsibilities have made
a positive impact in assuring the stability of each adoptive
placement. Working with a reputable adoption entity is key
to a positive adoption experience.
^ TOP ^
Q. We are open to adopting a child of any age. Does Adoption
4KIDS have older children available for private adoption?
A. Primarily, we have had more placements of newborns, due
to the fact that the majority of our clients are pregnant ladies
who are experiencing unplanned or crisis pregnancies and are
realizing that they are not prepared to parent their child. Occasionally
we will serve birth parents that have an older baby or child
of preschool age, and help them identify an appropriate adoptive
home for that child. These are typically situations where birth
mothers have tried their best to parent their child, but due
to personal circumstances, are not in a position to continue
doing so.
^ TOP ^
Q. My husband and I have done some research
on adoption, and we noticed that there seem to be different criteria
for qualifying
adopting parents, which vary with each agency. What are Adoption
4KIDS’ criteria for prospective adoptive parents?
A. Adoption 4KIDS is a ministry of 4KIDS of South Florida,
Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. As a ministry,
we are matching courageous birth parents with committed Christian
married men and women; providing stable, hope-filled lives
for
children facing an uncertain future. As a part of the home
study process, we will request a character reference from a pastor
as well as other confirmations of good moral character. Fulfillment
of these requirements is just one additional way that we are
able to bring peace to the birth parents as they are making
a
very difficult decision.
^ TOP ^
Q. We are new to adoption and are uncertain as to what a home
study involves. What types of things will take place during
this process?
A. Each state, as well as each licensed adoption entity, has
standards set in place. All require that any child placed in
an adoptive home will be assured a safe, loving, nurturing environment
in which to be raised. This also ensures that a child’s
spiritual, physical, emotional, academic, and material needs
are met—assuring protection, provision, and permanency.
During the course of the home study process, the prospective
adoptive couple typically meets with a representative of the
adoption agency several times, including at least one home
visit. Criminal background clearances, including local, county,
state,
and FBI records checks are completed, along with child abuse
registry information. References from a pastor, friends, relatives,
and employers are obtained. Physicals of prospective adoptive
parents are completed, and proof of income and financial stability
are verified. Other documentation is collected, including proof
of CPR instruction and copies of marriage and birth certificates.
Once all this information is collected and a home evaluation
is completed, the agency will determine whether a couple will
be in a position to provide for a child in the manner prescribed
above. Birth parents are able to proceed with the utmost confidence
in placing their child with an adoptive couple, knowing that
the couple willingly submitted to this thorough review process
because they so strongly desired to have a child placed in
their lives through adoption.
^ TOP ^ |
