Tag Archives: adoption education

Homestudy Process

How do I begin the adoption process?

One of the first steps to complete an adoption is to have a home study completed by a licensed adoption agency in your state of residence. The home study process serves several purposes. For the adoptive parents it is a chance to become educated about adoption related issues and to prepare for the role of parenting an adopted child. For the agency, the home study process is used to get to know a family and ensure that the prospective adoptive parent(s) are able to provide a stable loving home environment.

What can I expect when I have my home study completed with Triangle Adoption Services?

There will be at least one scheduled visit in your home and a second visit either in your home or the agency office. Additional visits are scheduled if needed.   All adoptive home studies in North Carolina are required to follow standards set forth by the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services. These standards require that we address the following topics:

  • Motivation and Readiness to Adopt/Preference for Child seeking to adopt (age/sex/ethnic origin, health of child)
  • Feelings about Birthparents/Open adoption
  • Personal and family background-Childhood Experiences, milestones, school experiences siblings, losses and challenges and what was learned from them.
  • If applicable, cultural sensitivity, trans-racial preparedness
  • Marriage and family relationships
  • Parenting philosophy/Discipline/Values/and integration of the child into the family
  • Family Lifestyle/Home environment
  • Health history of the applicants/Stress management
  • Education, employment and finances-including insurance coverage and child care plans if needed
  • References and criminal background clearances

Knowing what to expect during the interviews is the best way to ease any anxieties that families sometimes experience. We are there to guide you through the adoption process with an approach that is warm and caring.

Do many people get disapproved?

It is actually quite rare for a family to not be approved. Applicants are not expected to be perfect, live in a fancy house or be wealthy. Adoptive families are real people and the stories of their lives are multifaceted with successes and difficulties. The most important quality of all is that families seeking to adopt are motivated by the strong desire to provide a loving and stable forever home to a child. Of course the state has put safeguards in place for the protection of children and these safeguards are ensured by your home study agency.

If an agency uses the application process wisely, any potential roadblocks to approval will be discovered prior to the family paying for the home study.

How long does it take to complete a home study with Triangle Adoption Services?

Depending on how quickly the family is able to submit their application and supporting documentation, it generally takes 4-6 weeks from the date of the second interview.  As soon as the family is able to submit their application and service agreement, we are almost always able to accommodate the family with an interview visit within 2 weeks. Prompt service is one of our highest priorities as we understand waiting parents desire to move forward quickly to complete their family!

 

 

Adoption Education

Adoption Education

Triangle Adoption Services believes in the importance of having well informed adoptive families. Adoption education begins with the first questions asked by a prospective adoptive parent and continues throughout the adoption journey, including after the child joins your family. Adoption training creates more prepared, confident parents who understand their child’s unique needs and are better able to meet the challenges and joys of parenting an adopted child. Education also helps families and children achieve greater satisfaction with the overall adoption experience throughout the life span.  We have included a list of resources so that you can easily browse and choose the topics that are most relevant to your situation.

Prior to completion of a home study through Triangle Adoption Services, adoptive parents are encouraged to complete a minimum of five hours of pre-adoption education. Several options for completing this requirement are available, regardless of the type of adoption being completed.

Domestic and Independent Adoptions and International Adoptions through a Non-Hague Country

For those adopting domestically, internationally from non-Hague countries or adoptions of any other type, the five hours should include education relevant to your particular adoption. For example, genetic counseling for an embryo donation process, medical counseling or research for a child of special needs or legal counseling for some other types of adoption may apply.

International Adoption from a Hague Country

For those adopting internationally, families must address the topics required by the Hague Convention on International Adoption. Fulfilling Hague requirements will take approximately 20 hours. Each of the subject areas must be accounted for in certified hours. Most online adoption education sites will offer the option to obtain a certificate, but it is the responsibility of the person taking any class to verify certification prior to initiating education through any source.  The website www.adoptionlearningpartners.org offers a Hague Package which includes 5 courses for a total of 10 credit hours of training on core topics required for international adoption by the Hague Convention.

National Council for Adoption Hague Intercountry Adoption Online Training Course www.hagueadoption.org/registration/welcome.asp

Websites

The courses at www.adoptionlearningpartners.org are well respected and widely used by adoptive parents. Some of their trainings that are recommended for those pursuing a domestic adoption include:

  • Creating an Adoption Profile that Works: Express Yourself and Connect with Birthparents
  • Let’s Talk Adoption: A Lifetime of Family Conversations
  • Conspicuous Families: Race, Culture, and Adoption
  • The Journey of Attachment
  • Finding the Missing Pieces: Helping Adopted Children Cope with Grief and Loss
  • Becoming Your Child’s Best Advocate
  • Lifebooks

Embryo Adoption Awareness Center (www.embryoadoption.org)

Adoptive Families Magazine (www.adoptivefamilies.org)

Adoption Education Classes (www.adoptioneducationclasses.com)

Adoption Education, LLC (www.adoptioneducationcenter.com/onlineEd.asp)

Heart of the Matter Seminars “Because They Waited” series www.heartofthematterseminars.com

Other Resources for Adoption Education

Tapestry Books (www.tapestrybooks.com) offers a large assortment of adoption related books, some of which may be available in your local library. Triangle Adoption Services is happy to help you determine resources for the specific issues you would like to learn more about.

Classes are offered at local hospitals for infant care and Red Cross offers Infant CPR courses which are recommended and will count towards your training hours.