|
Home > Adoption > For Prospective Adoptive Parents > How to Adopt
How to Adopt
General information to help begin the adoption process.
Getting Started: Adoption General Information Packet 1
This collection of factsheets published by the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse provides an overview of the adoption process. The papers address the steps involved in agency and independent adoptions, the home study process, and legal aspects of adoptions.
Adoption Options
This fact sheet provides basic information about adoption options. It focuses on the choices between domestic and intercountry adoption, domestic infant or foster care adoption, and licensed private agencies, independent adoption, or facilitated/unlicensed agencies. A description of how the placement process will vary for each type of adoption is provided, as is a list of resources.
Adoption Options At-a-Glance
This fact sheet, meant to accompany "Adoption Options: A Fact Sheet for Families," provides basic information about adoption options in a table format. It focuses on the choices between domestic and intercountry adoption, domestic infant or foster care adoption, and licensed private agencies, independent adoption, or facilitated/unlicensed agencies. A description of how the placement process will vary for each type of adoption is provided, including agency oversight, termination of parental rights, child characteristics, cost, and potential wait times.
The Adoption Planner (PDF - 202 KB)
Adoptive Families Magazine (2005)
A worksheet to help prospective adoptive parents with the decision to adopt.
Adoption Assistance by State
American Public Human Services Association and Child Welfare Information Gateway
Answers to 13 questions on State adoption assistance policy, medical assistance, and postadoption services.
Adoption : Where Do I Start?
This fact sheet is a "gateway" to the many possible paths to building a family through adoption. It attempts to provide an understanding of the basic steps in any adoption process and a guide to resources at each step. A list of additional resources is provided about general adoption, domestic adoption, foster care adoption, intercountry adoption, kinship adoption, and special circumstances adoption.
Answering the Call: Family Pocket Guide (PDF - 1370 KB)
AdoptUsKids
Helps prospective foster and adoptive parents track their progress from inquiry to placement.
A Child Is Waiting: A Beginner's Guide to Adoption (PDF - 1130 KB)
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Offers basic information and resources to those considering adopting a child from foster care.
(Back to Top)
Foster Parent College
Interactive, multimedia training courses online and on DVD for adoptive, kinship, and foster parents. Courses include Safe Parenting, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and more.
Foster Parents Considering Adoption
This factsheet is written for foster parents who are considering adopting a child in their care. It provides information on the differences between foster care and adoption, and explores some of the things for foster parents to consider when making the decision about whether to adopt a child in their care. Additional topics discussed include: trends in foster parent adoption, benefits of foster parent adoption for all involved, characteristics of foster families who successfully adopt children in their care, and characteristics of foster families whose adoptions failed. Resources are provided.
How to Adopt
North American Council on Adoptable Children
An overview of the steps involved in adopting a child from the U.S. foster care system.
Obtaining Background Information on Your Prospective Adopted Child
This fact sheet explains why it is important to obtain background information about a prospective child. It discusses where a family might find background information, what questions to ask about the child's medical, family, social, and placement history, and why information may not be available. It includes a list of resources for more information.
Openness in Adoption
This factsheet describes the benefits of postadoption contact with birth parents and reviews considerations for determining the degree of openness that is most appropriate for the child. It suggests that adoptive parents consult Internet websites, books, counselors, and other parents when making decisions about open adoption. The factsheet includes a chart of the advantages and disadvantages of confidential adoptions, mediated adoptions, and open adoptions.
Stepparent Adoption
Stepparent adoption is governed by State law. Most States make the adoption process a little easier for stepparents, but requirements for home studies, criminal background checks, and procedures for obtaining consent of the noncustodial parent vary widely by State. This factsheet offers general information about legal issues to consider and steps to take when adopting a stepchild. While most stepparent adoptions can be done without the help of a lawyer, stepparents may wish to consult an adoption attorney to understand the specific legal requirements in their State. Resources for more information are included.
The Ten Steps to Adoption
National Adoption Center (2002)
Walks prospective adoptive parents through the adoption process.
|
