The Adoption Process
The adoption process can appear daunting, to say the least. As a home study provider, it is my honor to walk you through what to expect during the adoption process as you prepare to expand your family.
Step 1: Decide. No one can make this decision for you. This is one of the most important decisions of your life. Try not to let the fear of the unknown stop you from being a blessing in a child's life.
Step 2: Find a Licensed Home Study Provider. In the state of Florida a preliminary home study is a must! Contact a licensed home study provider in your area for assistance.
Step 3: Complete Background Checks and Medical Screens. Background checks and medical screenings are a required part of the approval process, and will be included in your home study report.
Step 4: Complete Home Study Packet. Your Home Study Provider will provide you with a list of items needed that will be included in your home study report. The home study report is detailed, so be ready for a lengthy to-do list. It is the Home Study Provider's responsibility to prove that you are financially, mentally, and emotionally stable to expand your family through adoption. The process may seem invasive and long, but stay focused on the fact that the end result of adoption will far outweigh the tedious procedures you had to endure along the way.
Step 5: The Match. Once your home study has been completed, submit your profile to adoption attorneys or licensed child placing agencies of your choosing. When a birth mother has made the decision to place her child for adoption, the adoption attorney or child placing agency will submit your profile for the birth mother's consideration. If she chooses your profile then you have officially been matched. Each match is a unique situation. Some birth mothers want to meet the prospective adoptive parents and develop a relationship, others choose not to ever meet them at all. Your adoption attorney or licensed child placing agency will assist with the details surrounding your match.
Step 6: Post-Placement. After the baby is born and the birth mother surrenders her parental rights, the child is placed in your home. The period between when the child is placed and when the adoption is finalized is referred to as post-placement. During this time your home study provider will visit you once per month and provide a post-placement report after each visit until the adoption is finalized. In most instances, post-placement supervision is conducted by the same licensed professional who completed youur preliminary home study.
Step 7: Adoption Finalization. A court hearing is held to finalize the adoption. The adoptive parents are required to be in appearance either in person or telephonically with a notary who will identify them to the court. If all documents filed by the adoption attorney have been favorable, the final judgment of adoption will be signed by the judge officially granting the adoptive parents parental rights of the child!