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Adoption

Getting Started

Adoption is a journey and as an expert in adoption I will talk with you about what to expect, what to plan for, and the things you might not have yet thought about.

Some of the things you may want to consider before beginning the adoption process:

  1. Do you want to consult with someone before beginning your adoption journey?
  2. Do you want to adopt Domestically, Internationally, or from the foster care system?
  3. What are your expectations?
  4. What are your parenting and/or attachment styles?
  5. What are you absolutely not prepared for?
  6. Do you want to use an agency or attorney for your adoption?
  7. What is your entire adoption budget-from beginning to end, including travel, agency, and /or attorney fees etc?
  8. What are your feelings about prenatal exposure to alcohol, drugs, and smoking?
  9. What race of child you want to adopt?
  10. If you are planning to adopt trans-racially, it is imperative that you educate yourselves and your family about trans-racial adoption and the impact it will have on the child you adopt and your family.  This is an extremely important area and one that you must prepare for prior to bringing a child into your home.
  11. What level of openness would you like to have with your child’s birth family?
  12. Are you prepared to adopt?  Have you educated yourself, your friends, and your family about adoption?

If you are ready to get started you can simply complete the application and send it to the address on the application:   YAF Adoption Services Application or email: jilldz@youradoptivefamily.com.

Transracial Adoptions

If you are considering adopting a child of a race, ethnicity or culture that is different from your own, please go to: www.pactadopt.org and read their resources on trans-racial adoption and watch their video: ”Considering Trans-racial Adoption: 4 questions to ask yourself”. Also visit Angela Tucker’s website: www.theadoptedlife.com.

Please do your research prior to completing the application for in the words of Angela Tucker, ”I was keenly aware that I did not quite belong. Because to belong meant that I could find products for my coarse afro-textured hair at a local store, makeup would be available in my skin color and I wouldn’t be petted on a weekly basis by curious citizens who wondered what my hair felt like. To belong meant I’d need to be white.”

It is essential that you fully understand what it means to parent a child of a different race, ethnicity and/or culture before bringing that child into your home.

Your Adoptive Family is collaborating with PACT-an adoption alliance to provide required (WAC 388-147-1725) training webinars for all homestudy families.

The Adoption Process

Step 1
Consultation
If you're not sure how the adoption is right for you and/or would like more information on how the process works, it's good to get a full overview and ask questions that may impact your family.
Step 1
Step 2
Homestudy
When you are ready to move forward, a homestudy is the first official step toward adoption and is required for all adoptions. Generally, we will have two visits, one in my office and one in your home, in addition to financial, medical, and background information, I will develop a complete profile of you as the parent(s). Once the report is complete, I will send it to the the adoption agency or attorney of your choice.
Step 2
Step 3
Adoption Matching
The agency or attorney you work with will go through the process of finding the child for your family. Each agency and attorney offers different services, so be sure to find the one that is right for you. Your Adoptive Family offers a matching service for referred clients.
Step 3
Step 4
Post Placement
The post-placement takes place once you are home with your baby or child. The number and frequency of post-placement visits are determined by the agency and or state in which the baby is born. Once I, in coordination with the adoption agency and/or attorney, determine the required number and timing of the post-placement visits, I will let you know. The first post-placement visit must occur within 30-days of placement.
Step 4
Step 5
Finalization
When all official documents are signed, all post-placements are complete, the adoption is finalized by a judge or commissioner.
Step 5