Close
window

SAMPLE

Foster and adoptive
parents assisted the Prime Contractor in developing the information identified
below. The information is written from the family's perspective. Affiliates /
Counties should assure that the information is included in their family
orientation packets

Orientation
What families
can expect in the process

The adoption process has many facets. Adoption itself
seems very simple - there are children who need a permanent home and families
who want to adopt them - so it seems logical that adoption could move quickly
and clearly to finalization! The real process of family preparation, matching
and finalization, however, is not simple and can be much more time consuming.
Matching children with the family best able to integrate and parent them is
complex. Guaranteeing the best match for the prospective parents, the child,
the newly formed family takes time, tenacity and attention to detail.

The initial process usually goes like this:

Within 30 days of your family expressing an interest in adoption, the
agency will forward an informational packet, request criminal record and
child abuse clearances, and set up a time when they can meet with you to
address any initial concerns or questions. ..

You will be asked to submit a formal application.

You will be invited to attend adoptive family preparation training.
Your agency will meet with you singularly or in groups with other
prospective adoptive parents. This training can take 6-8 weeks.

Your agency will interview you and your spouse (if applicable)
separately and together. Other individuals who reside in your home will
also be interviewed.

A home visit will be scheduled. Your agency will send a caseworker to
your home to examine whether the home is safe and meets the child's basic
needs.

Your caseworker will write your family profile. This document is a
summary of all the information gathered about you during the training
period, interviews and home visit. This written report identifies parent's
characteristics, circumstances and strengths.

Within 30 days of completing your application and training process,
the family profile will be completed. The agency will then decide if the
strengths of your family meet the needs of the children within the
Statewide Adoption Network. They will either accept your family profile,
which means that the agency will attempt to match your family with a
child, or they will not accept the profile and direct you to alternative
adoption opportunities. . They will meet with you personally to discuss
their decision.

Once a family is approved, the matching
process begins.

Many of PA's "waiting" children are registered on The Pennsylvania
Adoption Exchange web site at www.adoptpakids.org. Pictures and a brief
description of available children can be found there. Your agency will
register your family with the exchange. The Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange
works in concert with the child's worker, your caseworker and you, the
family, in the matching process.

Once you are matched with a child, you will begin visitation. The
purpose of visiting is to begin to build a relationship between you and
the child. Your caseworker will help you plan visits. Every agency has
their own process of introducing a child to a family. Some children will
be ready for placement in the home shortly after meeting a family; others
will need more time to get acquainted before making the move. It is very
important that everyone involved in the placement process work together to
help the placement succeed.

After the visitation period, it is time to formally place the child
into your home and prepare for the finalization of the adoption.

The finalization of your child's adoption is a legal proceeding so you
will need to secure a lawyer. Your agency may be able to help you with
this selection. Your lawyer will file a Report of Intention to Adopt with
the court. This document notifies the court that the family intends to
adopt a particular child.

Your lawyer will also file an adoption petition with the court. This
petition is the formal request that a hearing be scheduled to finalize the
adoption.

The adoption finalization hearing is scheduled and the judge decides,
usually on the same day, whether the adoption is legally finalized. The
adoptive parents, the child and the caseworker responsible for the
placement must attend the hearing.

Close
window