Beginning the Adoption Process

Written by: Tobi Ehrenpreis, LCSW, M.P.H.
Executive Director: Adoption Center for Family Building

(Published in the Resolve of Illinois Newsletter in 2006)

After struggling with infertility, many couples turn to adoption to fulfill their dreams of a family. The educated infertility patient becomes familiar with myriad procedures, experimental or high risk options, and an encyclopedia of medical terminology. The road leading toward adoption is often littered with one failed medical procedure after another.

Since the advent of the Worldwide Web, many couples begin their adoption journey on a personal computer. It seems like the internet should answer your questions, but in fact there is a great deal of misinformation, repetition and confusing or misleading advice on adoption websites. Last time I searched Google for the term “adoption” there were 9,950,000 entries.

The adoption process can be overwhelming for even the most sophisticated consumer. Adoption brings with it a new set of risks, options, and terms. The goal of this article is to simplify and demystify the adoption process. It will address the basics, define the terms, and hopefully answer some questions while generating others.

Where do I begin?

The first step is to understand the range of adoption options, including private, agency assisted, international, foster care and traditional agency.

Private Adoption

A private adoption is facilitated by an attorney through the courts without the services of a licensed agency. A friend, a doctor, an attorney, a clergyperson, a counselor, a facilitator, or any another individual may assist in locating the birthmother. In Illinois, it is illegal for any party other than a licensed agency to accept fees for locating a birthmother. (These individuals may charge for other services associated with the adoption such as legal services, counseling, or advertising assistance.)

Adopting through an Agency

Adoption agencies are part of the child welfare system licensed by the state to deliver adoption services. In Illinois, the regulating body is the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Agencies provide a wide range of services including home studies, adoption education, counseling and placement assistance. Some agencies are affiliated with a particular church or denomination while others are non-sectarian. The primary client of the child welfare agency is the child. Pre and post placement services are provided to birthmothers and children. Placements into adoptive homes are facilitated and supervised by the agency. Agencies may offer a wide range of programs including healthy infant, special needs, agency-assisted, and international adoptions, or foster care. The types of programs available vary from agency to agency. The climate and philosophy of each agency varies and it is critical to find one that fits your needs. A list of Illinois adoption agencies is available through the Adoption Information Center of Illinois, located at 120 W. Madison in Chicago (www.adoptinfo-IL.org.) One easy way to learn about the different agencies is to visit their websites or attend informational sessions.

Traditional Agency Adoptions

Some agencies select adoptive parents based on factors such as age, religion, number of years married, infertility status, or number of other children in the home. Other agencies have done away with or simply limit the subjective criteria. Agency requirements may vary depending upon the program selected. For example, international adoption requirements may be determined by the child’s country of origin rather than the domestic agency. Special needs programs are usually the most flexible and do not limit access based on arbitrary criteria such as age, marital status, etc. Healthy infant programs typically have the greatest number of applicants, and the most limiting criteria.

Agency Assisted Adoptions

Agency-assisted programs are also known as identified or designated adoptions. These adoptions begin with the adoptive parent locating a birthmother through private channels. The adoptive parents sign up with an agency to conduct a home study and provide counseling and placement services to the birthmother. The agency typically does away with subjective criteria in this type of placement, and usually agrees to work with any applicant meeting state standards for a home study.

International Adoption

International adoption involves the placement of children from other countries. The adoptions may be arranged by an agency or privately. In all cases, the adoptive parent(s) must have a home study completed in their home state. The agency that conducts the home study may also be the placing agency, but that is usually not the case. The adoptive parent(s) may work with a placing agency anywhere in the United States but must first provide a certified copy of their home study. Placing agencies may work with only one or several different countries. Privately arranged international adoptions typically involve hiring an attorney to locate and facilitate an adoption proceeding in the child’s country of origin.

DCFS

Abandoned and neglected children of all ages are placed by the state into foster care or permanent homes. Prospective adoptive parents who wish to provide foster care or adopt are able to identify waiting children through the Adoption Information Center of Illinois or through a private agency that contracts with the state. Many of the children waiting for homes are older or have special medical or psychological needs. There is no fee for this type of adoption. Additionally, the child may be eligible for a medical card or a stipend to offset the cost of his or her care.

What is a home study?

In order to understand what a home study is, it may be helpful to describe what it is not. A home study is not an interrogation, nor is it a judgment of the client’s worthiness. It is not about finding and focusing on weaknesses, and it is not therapy. A home study is a current snapshot of the prospective adoptive parent(s)’ situation, an assessment of their emotional and financial stability, as well as preparation and education for the journey of adoption so the individuals will feel prepared, comfortable and confident

A home study is conducted by a social worker from a licensed private agency or from the Illinois DCFS. It may involve one or several visits to the home or additional meetings to determine the prospective parent(s)’ eligibility. Becoming licensed as a foster care home is one of the requirements of an Illinois home study. The home study is written in narrative form and describes the prospective adoptive parent(s)’ circumstances, motivation for adoption, family and other supports. The home study is current for one year and then must be updated. Licensing for foster care involves gathering information such as: fingerprints and background clearances, medical reports, character references, pet inoculations, copy of marriage license and/or divorce certificate (if applicable).

Will I fail the home study?

It is highly unusual to “fail” a home study. Most agencies use the home study as a tool to get acquainted with prospective parents and to educate them about adoption and parenting issues. Agencies are not looking to “fail” well-intended prospective parents. You do not need to set up a nursery prior to adopting a baby. Most importantly, it is you (not your home) that is of interest to the agency. It is true, however, that your home will need to meet basic state licensing standards. Additionally, you must show that you have the ability and desire to raise a child, and demonstrate some understanding of birthparents’ issues and other aspects of adoption. If an agency has concerns about an issue that is raised during the home study process, it may ask you to provide supplemental information. For example, if there is some serious medical concern, an agency might ask for further clarification from your physician. If you are being treated by a mental health professional, the agency may request a written statement from your counselor about the diagnosis and probable impact on parenting.

Most agencies would agree that many different kinds of people can make wonderful parents. If an agency feels it will not be able to help a particular individual or couple, it will typically inform the prospective parents prior to beginning a home study. Finding the right agency for you is critical to your success.

Why do I need a foster care license if I do not wish to provide foster care?

This is simply a legal requirement for all Illinois residents completing a home study. You are not expected to provide foster care. It is understood that your goal is to adopt a child.

Do I really need a home study?

You will need a home study if you wish to adopt through an agency. A home study is also required for interstate and international adoptions. If you adopt privately, the county will conduct an abbreviated home study. Fingerprinting is required in all private adoptions in Illinois. You will not need to become a licensed foster care provider if you adopt privately in Illinois.

Why use the services of an agency?

An agency offers many services to prospective adoptive parents and birthparents. These services include education, support, objectivity and direction. It is important that the birthmother have her own advocate who informs her of her rights, options and responsibilities. The Birthparent Advocate assesses the birthmother’s needs, gathers background information and pre-natal records, offers pre and post placement counseling, and introduces comfort, experience and emotional support into the process.

What is an interstate adoption?

This is an adoption where you reside in one state and the child is in a different state. Interstate adoptions are regulated by the states through the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children.

What are the best ways to learn about adoption and adoptive parenting?

Talk to other adoptive parents. There are several adoptive parent support groups in the Chicago area offering social and educational opportunities both pre and post adoption. Go to the library or book store and read about adoption. There are many books and other publications available on adoptive parenting. Have a home study completed by a licensed agency to learn more about the unique issues of parenting a child through adoption. Attend agency meetings and seminars or find online resources on adoptive parenting. Attend the ABC’s of Adoption sponsored by Resolve of IL. ABC’s is an educational workshop held in the fall and spring.

Conclusion

The adoption process poses a whole new set of challenges and opportunities. Being an informed consumer will improve your chances of a positive outcome. So head to the library, find a support group, attend the ABC’s of Adoption or another adoption workshop, and begin your search.

*This article was published in a Resolve newsletter in 2006.

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