Thinking about adoption can be exciting and very overwhelming. You have numerous choices to make, so information is the key ingredient. Talk to others who have adopted. Adoptive parents are full of information and can give you critical material.  Attend an information meeting at an agency which can provide you insight on the agency, social worker, and the process.

Public Adoption – the child is placed in your home through a program which is operated through the state.  Children available through public adoption typically are foster children between the ages of 3-17.

Private Adoption – placement is made by a private agency.  This may be either domestic or international.

Independent Adoption – this is a match between a birth mother and a family outside of an agency.  In the State of Wisconsin even independent adoptions must utilize an agency to complete the adoption and work with the birth mother.

The cost depends on the type of adoption. There are several variables that contribute to the cost.  Typically a private domestic adoption is between $12,000-$40,000. However, please do not be intimidated by the cost. There are several options to financing your adoption such as employer benefits, adoption tax credit, grants, and special fundraising.

Parents hoping to adopt need to be prepared for a long and bumpy ride.  Again the length varies based on the type of adoption.  Adopting a newborn from the United States can sometimes be extremely quick or it could take years.  The more a family is willing to market themselves the quicker the process.  International varies also depending on the country and referral process.

Selecting an adoption agency is critical. As the process is sometimes difficult, you need to select an agency that is responsive and is there to support you. Talk to a variety of agencies and ask for references and a series of questions. An example would be is the agency for profit or non-profit?  Do they complete relative adoptions? What are the requirements of the programs the agency has? How much does an adoption cost to complete the process and when are the fees due (do they provide a fee agreement upfront)? How long does the adoption process take? Remember there is never a question that is not valid.

Choose your agency on the basis of their programs, and your feelings of comfort and trust in them. After your choice is made, get to know your agency and social worker! Get on their newsletter mailing list and try to attend some of their functions.

Information about adoption laws can be found on the Child Welfare Information Gateway which is a service of the Children’s Bureau in the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The State of Wisconsin requires all new adoptive parents to complete a minimum of 30 hours of education.  Catholic Charities is part of a national education program to train families on adoption and adoption related topics.

The home study process is the adoptive assessment. It is educational as well as a self-evaluation process for the social worker to get to know you and your family, help you to determine what age and the type of child best fits into your family, and what other important characteristics you would be willing to accept in a child. The home study process will include some or all of the following:

• A series of individual and joint interviews with each prospective parent in the home.
• A visit to your home to ensure a safe environment and meet State licensing standards.
• Child interviews if there are children in the home.
• Background checks.
• Proof of employment and financial stability.
• Education classes and training.

Typically these steps result in the writing of a home study report that reflects the social worker’s findings. This report is about 15-20 pages in length and is a comprehensive overview of the family. On average the home study takes about 3 months to complete.