There are many ways to form a family. Many people are discovering adoption as a wonderful way to expand their families and help children in need at the same time. However, there are different types of adoptions and it is best to know your options before making this very important decision.
Adoption agencies can be a private or public agency, with or without a religious affiliation, can be for-profit or non-profit, and can be licensed or unlicensed. In order to assure the best services are provided to everyone, it is strongly recommended you proceed only with a licensed agency.
Foster Care and Adoption Agencies provide permanent homes for foster children, newborns (often placed at two-days-old) to age 18, who have been removed from their birth families by the local Child Protective Services. These foster children may have been subjected to abuse, abandonment, and/or neglect. Many people are only now becoming aware of adoption through foster care.
Private or Independent Adoptions are arranged through an individual (typically a doctor, clergy, or attorney) or referral service and can be open or closed. In an open adoption, the birth parents and the adopting parents exchange identifying information and will mutually agree upon the amount of ongoing contact, if any. In a closed adoption the identities of the birth mother, birth father and adopting family are not shared with each other.
International Adoptions seem to be gaining popularity with many celebrities. However, many people do not recognize that international adoption is very different from domestic adoption has its own set of challenges due to ever-changing paperwork, documentation, health concerns, travel issues, expense, and foreign country laws.
No matter which type of adoption you choose, all potential adopting families must have a completed and approved adoption home study assessment.
The biggest difference between foster care adoption and other adoptions is the cost. Private and international adoptions can be very costly, often up to $25,000 or more! Local foster care adoption agencies usually do not charge fees for their services, and families who adopt through foster care are eligible for monthly stipends to help care for the child up to age 18.
Consider Foster Care Adoption. For further information about becoming a foster/adopt parent, please contact Robin Monroe, M.A., Certification Coordinator with Inner Circle Foster Care & Adoption Services at 818-988-6300, by email robinm@fosterfamily.org or through www.fosterfamily.org .