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ADOPTIVE PARENTS:
Criteria
Many people have asked What does Amazing Grace Adoptions require of its families to be able to adopt? While we have no age requirement, there are a few criteria that prospective adoptive families must meet in order to be on our waiting list for placement of a child.
Adoptive families must:
Be married for at least three years.
Be Christians and in agreement with AGA Statement of Faith.
Plan to provide full-time maternal care once a placement is made. Please know this last requirement is not meant to be rigid. Families have been very creative in this area. The heart of this requirement is that the parents be the primary caregivers, rather than a daycare worker.
Please note that this criteria does not apply to families who only receive home studies through AGA, who may have a child placed with them through an independent or international adoption or through another agency.
Statement About Open Adoption:
Open adoption is a term that has stimulated a variety of different emotions and ideas from those involved in adoption and our culture. There have been many myths and misconceptions associated with openness in adoption, which has been exacerbated by negative images in the media.
From a legal viewpoint, open adoption occurs when both adoptive parents and birthparents mutually agree to exchange identifying information about the other, such as last names, phone numbers, or addresses. Open adoption has always been a part of independent adoptions (through an attorney or facilitator). Until November 2001, North Carolina law did not allow licensed child-placing agencies to offer open adoption to clients. That law has changed, allowing private agencies the ability to offer the choice of openness to those they serve. For this to occur, both parties must sign a form called a Consent to Release of Identifying Information (DSS-5218) in the presence of a notary.
Amazing Grace Adoptions has always offered semi-open adoptions, in that first names and other non-identifying information could be exchanged. We continue to offer that option to our birthparents and adoptive families. We would encourage adoptive families to pray through each decision in the adoption process, including the amount of openness with which they are comfortable. Not all families are called to openness, but it can be an opportunity for the Lord to use an adoptive family to show His infinite love and grace to a birthmother or those around her.
Adoption Process
We understand that the adoption process can be an overwhelming and confusing one. We hope to alleviate as much confusion as possible. Below is an outline of the main steps in the domestic adoption process through Amazing Grace Adoptions.
1) Call the AGA office to request a preliminary application packet.
2) Once the packet is returned, an approval committee reviews each application.
3) If approved, a pre-placement assessment (also called a home study) packet will be sent. The home study process is guided by the state of North Carolina's requirements for paperwork and interviews. The home study packet will include documents such as medical forms, birth and marriage certificates, criminal record checks, health insurance verification, and financial information. Once all documentation has been received by AGA, a social worker contacts the family to begin the interview process. Three meetings are required.
4) Once the home study has been completed and approved, it is valid for 18 months. This means an adoptive placement can be made during that period of time. Each family puts together a profile book, or photo album, about their lives. These books are shown to birthparents, who choose the adoptive family and may request a meeting with the family. These meetings are usually held in the AGA office and inevitably serve to remove fears and calm nerves of all
parties involved.
5) At the time of placement, physical custody of the child is given to the adoptive family, even though Amazing Grace Adoptions temporarily maintains legal custody. Two post-placement supervisory visits are required by North Carolina before finalization can be completed. The first of these occurs during the first two weeks following placement.
We understand that this brief description may not answer all questions. Please call the AGA office to discuss specific concerns or to schedule an appointment with one of our staff. Detailed fee information is available by calling or emailing the Amazing Grace Adoptions office.
For further information, please call us at 1-800-550-2379
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