Family studies, quiz – Adoption

Interview and application appointment

• Adoption process, procedures are explained, takes about two hours

education seminar

• Presentations from birth parents, adoptive, parents, counselors, and lawyers

• applicants receive information on completing a private adoption bracket (eg: discussed parenting, openness) “ openness agreement”

• Get the legal documents.

Adoption file development

• complete the legal documents to create their adoption file

• File may include letters, photos about the adoptive parents

Home study

• involves at least four interviews with an adoption counsellor

• The purpose of a homestead is to decide if you are able to assume the responsibility of being a parent to a child, if you are both suitable and capable.

• Have provide medical reports, criminal record, check, child, abuse, registry, check, letters of reference

• A study of the parents, not just the house

Approval

• if adoptive parents meet the requirements, they are “ approved for placement”

• Adoption file can be shown to birth parents

• Note: a change in life situation can affect the application and approval (eg: divorce)

Matched

• once birth mother chooses a family, the adoptive parents are given information on the birth mother (eg; medical history)

• The adoption agency arrange a meeting between the birth mother and adoptive parents

• Everyone meets, and if they all agreed to proceed with the adoption, legal documents are signed about the intent to place the child

Placement

• birth mother must wait 48 hours after the birth to sign her consent for adoption

• Birth father must be informed (may also sign a consent)

• Birth parents have 21 days to revoke consent

• After 21 days: the lawyer files court documents

• 30–60 days later, the lawyer is given a court date for an “ order of adoption”

Finalization

• after placement (when baby is placed with adoptive parents): birth parents receive support and adopted family is supervised until the adoption is final.

Matching process

• birth mother receives counselling about her options, is shown the adoptive file, and chooses an adopted family

• Being chosen to adopt could take weeks, years, or not happen at all