01/ The Adoption Professionals
Step One: Assembling Your Adoption Team
The Complete Guide to Adoption in Kansas ~ The Adoption Professionals
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Whether you decide to use an adoption consultant, adoption agency, or adoption attorney, each should be able to tell you what you can expect from their service and what they, in turn, expect from you. We will look at the three listed above, but we will also look at adoption home study writers, people specializing in adoption financing, and adoption profile design and creation services.
Adoption Consultants & Facilitators
Adoption consultants are individuals or organizations that advise a family throughout the adoption process. They recommend home study writers, work with you to create an adoption profile, work with other agencies to find adoption opportunities, and more. Although practical, adoption consultants only provide services that an adoption agency can provide. Instead, these individuals primarily offer education and support.
Adoption facilitators, on the other hand, act as a conduit between the birth parent and the adopting parent. Typically, they charge a considerable fee for the information they provide, which may only be the telephone number of a potential birth mother. They are an unlicensed matching service and very little else. This route to adoption is not advisable or legal in some states.
Adoption Law Centers work more like facilitators than what the name implies. Law centers do not provide any legal services necessary for adoption and are not regulated like either agencies or attorneys. Instead, these organizations work primarily to procure birth parents for their clients. As noted above, adoption facilitators are illegal in most states, and adoption law centers, like adoption facilitators, are also based in only a few states.
Adoption Law Centers
Adoption Agencies
Agencies, whether private or public, are licensed organizations that provide services for adoptive parents. These services typically include:
Adoption Counseling and Education - An adoption specialist guides adoptive parents through every step of the adoption process, from paperwork to understanding the matching process to communicating with birth parents. When working with an agency, the point of contact is the adoption specialist.
Matching Services & Adoption Profiles- While the birth parents ultimately choose the adoptive family, the agency should allow adoptive parents to have a say about what they are comfortable with in terms of adoption situations. Families create an adoptive family profile that tells birth parents about them and their life, complete with photos and any information that makes their family special. If the profile is electronic, it can even include videos. The adoption profile is a chance for adoptive families to be creative when giving birth parents a sense of who they are and why they would be a good family for an adopted child.
Home study support and services - The home study is one of the essential steps for adoptive families. It is completed by someone licensed by their state to conduct such an assessment. This process ensures that adoptive parents are ready to become a family. The adoption home study will include background checks, documentation of finances, health assessments, letters of recommendation, and at least one in-home visit.
Post-placement support – some states require that a post-placement report be completed once the baby is in the home. These post-placement reports are required if the baby comes from a state different from where the adoption will be finalized.
These are only a few things a full-service adoption agency can provide. All agencies are different, and when looking, be sure that the agency is fully licensed. A licensed agency will give you and the courts confidence and peace of mind about how the adoption was conducted.
Adoption Attorney
EVERY adoption requires the assistance of an attorney, even when using an agency.
In an adoption law firm, the attorneys focus their practice on adoption law. However, some may also work in other child and family-related areas of the law, such as family law, probate law, or child welfare law. As part of the practice, adoption law firms may keep adoptive parent profiles in the office or feature them on the firm's website to show birth parents. However, the primary job of an adoption attorney is to protect the legal rights of the adoptive parents and women considering adoption and ensure that each adoption is finalized according to state and federal laws. Additionally, adoption attorneys guide birth parents through the consent paperwork and help adoptive parents finalize their adoption in court.
When considering retaining an adoption attorney, look to well-known organizations such as The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA). From their website:
The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA) provides a credentialed presence in the law of family formation and is the largest professional organization of its type. AAAA and its attorneys are dedicated to the competent and ethical practice of adoption and ART law, advocating for laws and policies to protect the best interests of children, the legal status of families formed through adoption and ART, and the rights of all interested parties including birth parents, adoptive parents, surrogates, donors, and intended parents.
AAAA includes 470 attorneys, law professors, and judges who are recognized as Fellows and have extensive experience in the practice of adoption law, ART law, or both. Located around the world – including the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Israel, and the United Kingdom – Fellows of AAAA are considered legal thought leaders and are a highly-vetted, experienced group.
Fellows regularly participate in continuing legal education to make sure they are up to date on current laws, medical advances, and best practices. They have rapid access to legal resources in other states and countries and each other for ideas and strategies. Fellows can be trusted to apply all of this to their clients during their family building journey.
Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys: https://adoptionart.org/about-aaaa/join/
Adoption Home Study Writer
The adoption home study is prepared by a social worker or an adoption agency, licensed in the home state of the adoptive family, and approved by the court. When working with an agency, the agency can provide the adoption home study services a family needs. But when working with a different adoption professional, they will refer to someone they know and trust to write this vital document.
An adoption home study is made up of two parts. The first part is the paperwork, and the second is the in‐home visit. The documents typically needed include fingerprints for background checks and criminal clearances, a health statement from the doctor, financial statements, i.e., tax returns, life insurance policies, etc., and letters of reference from friends, family members, or others.
The social worker will complete an inspection of the home and interview each member of the family. They will check for anything that could harm a child and point them out at the next home visit. Ask questions during this process; it is the social worker's job to help.
The social worker will return for a final round of in-home visits once you have been matched and a baby has been placed in your home. The goal of the post-placement visits is to observe how everyone is adjusting to life as a family. Following this second visit, the writer will write a second report that will go to the attorney and become a part of the adoption filing. A judge will read the report from these visits and review the home study before the finalization hearing. * Kansas does not require post-placement visits, so if they should occur, it is more likely an agency policy.
The average price for adoption home study services will depend on who the writer is and the type of adoption. For instance, what is required in a home study for an adoption of a child born in one home state will differ from the adoption home study for an interstate adoption and will differ yet again for an international adoption. On the other hand, if you are adopting a child from the foster care system, the state agency will generally complete the home study at little or no charge.
However, some essentials are almost sure to be included. Here is a helpful checklist to get started.
HOME STUDY TO-DO LIST
Required documentation to gather and organize ahead of time:
Driver's licenses
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Most recent tax return
Recent medical statements
Insurance records
Personal written statements about your intent to adopt
Reference letter for adoption from family, friends, or acquaintances (3-5 letters)
Green card (if applicable)
Military discharges (if applicable)
Previous adoption decrees (if applicable)
Pet vaccination records (if applicable)
Passports (for international adoption home studies)
Home safety measures to put in place before the home visit:
Fences around pools
Gates blocking stairs
Screens on windows
Functioning locks on doors and windows
Fire extinguisher
Working smoke and CO2 detectors
Covered trash cans
First-aid kit
Covered electrical outlets
Any weapons locked in a gun safe
Toxic substances (medicine, paint, cleaning supplies, etc.) out of reach of children
Bookcases and heavy furniture bolted to a wall
Readily accessible list of emergency phone numbers and home emergency and evacuation plans
Adoption Financing
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, adoptions can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000, depending on the type and complexity of the adoption. Make sure to ask what the total cost of the adoption could be, so there are no financial surprises along the way. Unfortunately, there is no way to know precisely what the costs will be, but a professional should be able to give a pretty accurate estimate.
Because adoption can be so expensive, ways to offset the expense, include adoption loans, borrowing from a 401K, home equity loans, or a whole life insurance loan. In addition to borrowing to cover the costs of adoption, other options include employer assistance programs, military adoption benefits, state tax credits, federal tax credits, and private fundraising. There are several adoption grant opportunities available as well. Grants are popular as they involve no personal cost and carry no interest.
The following is a short list of some lending companies and grant opportunities:
Adoption Grants
Associates Home Loan - $1,000
Gift of Adoption Fund – up to $15,000
National Adoption Foundation - $500 to $2,000
A Chosen Life Adoption - $5,000
A Child Waits Foundation – up to $10,000
Help up Adopt – up to $20,000
--The African American Enrichment Program - $1,000 to $4,000
Adoption Loans
LifeStream – low-interest, fixed-rate loan with no collateral, fees, or home equity requirements.
SOFI – low rates and zero fees
Lifesong – available to two-parent Christian households
Prosper – personal loans in a peer-to-peer marketplace
Pathways for Little Feet – interest-free loans to eligible families
A Child Waits Foundation – low-interest loans for international adoption
Another helpful resource for financing adoption is a company called Your Adoption Finance Coach. Founder and CEO Kelly Ellison says of her company, "The team of experts at Your Adoption Finance Coach has helped thousands of families by assisting them in understanding the financial requirements, creating a comprehensive budget, and establishing a plan for the best ways to afford and fund their adoption journeys."
Adoption Profile Design & Creation Services
Next to word of mouth, an Adoption Profile is the key that opens the door to adoption. This book will serve as the first peek at the different life to a birth mother. Since she is the intended audience, the adoption profile is created with her in mind. What does that mean? It means that the profile should make it easy for her to imagine her child growing up in this household, with these parents, and believe that this is the best thing she can do for her baby.
Most birth mothers are just regular women, so be mindful of preconceived notions and focus the profile on one thing: being open and honest to build a trusting relationship. Birth mothers are looking for one thing: finding a safe and stable family that will give their child a better future than the one she can provide.
Go through the 1000's of photos on your phone, and according to Kendahl Throckmorton from Little Ampersand Co., pick these must-haves for your profile book:
01
It's best if you're smiling, looking directly at the camera, and taking up the majority of the frame. Remember, this is the first photo that birth parents will see and will likely frame their impression of you! This photo should be of the adoptive parent(s) only, no children/pets yet. You'll need one individual image of each parent. Each parent should be forward-facing, smiling at the camera—no sunglasses, hats, etc.
COVER PHOTO
02
It's best if you're smiling, looking directly at the camera, and taking up the majority of the frame. Remember, this is the first photo that birth parents will see and will likely frame their impression of you! This photo should be of the adoptive parent(s) only, no children/pets yet.
PARENT PHOTO(S)
03
If applicable, an individual image of each child smiling back at the camera is a must. Also, collect photos of your kids playing, laughing, and having fun together.
CHILD PHOTO(S)
04
Pick a mix of photos where your family is forward-facing with eyes and smiles at the camera. You'll also want some more playful images of your family in action.
FULL FAMILY
05
Pick a mix of photos where your family is forward-facing with eyes and smiles at the camera. You'll also want some more playful images of your family in action.
LIFESTYLE
06
Have pets? Most agencies are OK with including them in your profile book. The best pet pictures have humans in them as well. It’s an easy way to show a birth mom your furry friends are nice.
PETS
07
Similar to your extended family, only include pictures of your close friends. No posed pictures here. Lifestyle is best.
FRIENDS
08
Include a bright, clean (no trashcans, vehicles, etc.) image of the front of your home. Remember, no identifying information such as house numbers or street signs.
HOME - OUTSIDE
09
You're probably not including your second cousin twice removed (unless you're super close), but you'll want pictures of those in your extended family you do life with the most—grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins… you get the idea.
EXTENDED FAMILY
10
You certainly don't need a photo of every room, but it's important to show the main areas inside your home. Just don't show pictures of the inside of your home without people represented. Kids playing, a family game night or someone cooking are easy ways to show your house without it looking like a real estate photo.
HOME - INSIDE
11
Include community events, church activities, cookouts, parades, playing at parks, walking trails, etc. As with the rest of the images you collect, it’s best to include your family in these photos.
COMMUNITY
12
These are the big moments that got you to where you are today. Childhood memories, graduation, first date, wedding, important milestones, and more.
BIG MOMENTS
13
Photos showing what you love to do are beneficial to a birth mom. We'll keep beating this drum, though… make sure you are in the images. If you love to crochet, including a picture of you with a hook in hand is far better than a photo of a blanket you've crocheted by itself.
HOBBIES
14
How is this different than hobbies, you ask? Roasting coffee beans is a hobby. Drinking coffee on your screened-in porch on a Saturday morning is not. ;)
FAVORITE THINGS
15
Pick some of your favorite vacation memories. Please make sure that someone from your family is in each photo. Travel photos with no recognizable people, no matter how beautiful the scenery is, often look fake.
TRAVEL PHOTOS