Parenthood is the process of building healthy lives and long relationships between a parent and child. That relationship to a great extent depends on the kind of person you are individually and the relationship you have together as husband and wife. Therefore, we have an obligation to get to know you. The procedures involved in becoming adoptive parents help us to get to know you.

1. Application

   This Application will include areas for you to provide information about yourself such as employment, education, where you have lived, hobbies, interests, church affiliation, ages, etc. Included in the packet will be a form for reference information, a self-study questionnaire and a medical history form for each applicant. We feel it is advisable for a couple to explore their infertility medically prior to looking into adoption. It is also important that we verify that the couple is free from mental illness, chemical dependency and free from any disease or illness which would make them unable to parent a child.

2. Home Study and Adoption Education

   After we have received the application, the medical forms and references, a home study will then be conducted. As part of the home study process an adoption education workshop is required for the couple to attend. Upon completion of the home study, the couple is notified by letter either of approval or rejection.

3. Selection Process

   Upon approval of the Home Study, a couple is considered as prospective parents whenever we are involved in making plans for a child. In most cases, the birth parents are involved in the process. They are the ones who will select the adoptive parents for their children. They will look at photo albums and profiles you have prepared. Increasingly, birth parents want an open adoption. This could include rneeting(s) between the adoptive parents and birth family, exchanging identifying information and continued visits after placement. You may be notified prior to the birth that you have been selected by a birth family to parent their child. In all cases, there will be an exchange of pictures and letters through the agency if not directly between birth parents and adoptive parents. Most times a child is placed directly from the hospital into the adoptive family. Once in a while, a child may be placed in Cradle Care before going to the adoptive family. The placement may occur at the hospital or in our office.

4. Post Placement Supervision

   The state adoption law requires a child reside in the home at least six months before the adoption may be finalized legally. During that time, a caseworker will make at least two visits to help the parent-child relationships get off to a good beginning and to assist with any problems or concerns.

5. Finalization

   At the end of six months, the adoptive parents will secure the services of an attorney to complete the legal adoption, and a hearing is held in the adoptive couples' county of residence. If the court approves the adoption, a decree is issued, the court records are sealed, and a new birth certificate is issued in the names of the adoptive parents. Present law gives adult adoptees access to identifying information if they so choose and if their birth parents consent.

   The legal completion of adoption means that the rights and responsibilities of the parents and child are the same as if the child had been born to them, and our agency no longer has any further official involvement. However, our interest in you continues. We encourage families to keep in touch with us, and we are always interested in hearing about the good times as well as the difficult ones as we recognize parenthood is seldom a smooth road.