A Child's Waiting Adoption Agency - For Adoptive Parents

Adoption is a loving option for children. When birth parents are unable to properly care for their children’s needs, an adoption agency assists in facilitating the children’s adoptions.

There are two types of child adoption which are based on the type of funding that is available. Federal funding enables adoptive parents to adopt children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect and are currently waiting in foster care. At the present time, there are over 100,000 children in the United States under the age of eighteen. Children’s Services agencies obtain permanent custody of these children and then they facilitate the adoptive placements. The funding enables these agencies to cover the costs of the adoption services for adoptive parents. At times, there is additional funding which is called subsidy. This is an amount, determined by the custodial agency that is paid directly to the adoptive family on a monthly basis. This is to enable adoptive families to provide for the adopted children and their every need until the children reach the age of 18.

The other type of child adoption is voluntary for birth parents. When they experience unplanned pregnancies or when they are not able to provide for the child’s every need, they contact a private adoption agency. This type of adoption is family funded. The adoptive parents cover all of the expenses related to the adoption. All adoptive families are eligible for the Federal Income Tax Credit based on income. The amount is up to $10,160.00. This can be claimed in the year in which the child's adoption is final in court which occurs six months after the adopted children are placed in the adoptive family’s care. All of these children need and deserve a permanent, loving adoptive family who will care for their needs, encourage them and protect them.

The adoption process requires all adoption agencies to prepare families for adoption through education, training, a series of background checks and interviews. All prospective adoptive parents are required to attend training sessions where they learn about the effects of neglect, abuse and the life long impact that adoption may have on children. In addition, the parents are presented with parenting suggestions. Adoptive parents must complete the home study process. A certified adoption assessor who is employed by an agency will conduct face to face interviews with the parents. Documentation is also obtained about the general health, financial stability and background checks of the adoptive parents. All adoption agencies require prospective adoptive parents to provide this information prior to obtaining approval to adopt.