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Frequently Asked Questions from
Prospective Parents Considering Adoption
Q. What services do you provide for the biological parent(s)?
A. The agency provides free counseling, support and advocacy.
When necessary, the social worker will assist with arrangements
for medical care, including labor and delivery and legal services.
In some cases, financial assistance can be provided for temporary
housing, clothing and transportation for counseling and medical
appointments.
Q. How do I begin the adoption process?
A. For all types of adoption, a homestudy is a legal requirement
in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A homestudy is an in-depth
exploration of the family situation and environment. It is
meant to help prepare the individual or family for parenting
by adoption.
Q. What is involved in a homestudy and how long does
it take to complete?
A. A homestudy usually takes from six to twelve weeks
to complete. There are specific state-mandated requirements
that must be met. The homestudy includes three meetings with
the adoptive parents both together and individually. Usually,
two of these meetings take place in the agency, and one takes
place during a visit to the home by the social worker.
Q. Is anyone ever turned down after a homestudy?
A. In the large majority of cases, the process is completed
without a problem. Occasionally, the social worker will suggest
that additional counseling should take place as the adoption
process proceeds, in order to prepare the future adoptive
parent(s) for their new responsibilities. In rare cases, the
potential adoptive parents realize that adoption is not the
right option for them.
Q. What are my options for adopting? What are the different
types of adopting?
A. There are primarily three types of adoptions:
1. Parental placement adoptions are those arranged directly
by the birth parents and adoptive parents. (These are also
known as private adoptions, direct adoptions, or independent
adoptions.) The agency's role in these adoptions includes
completion of the homestudy, birth parent counseling, supervision
of the face-to-face meeting between the adoptive and birth
parents, and post-placement services.
2. Agency adoptions take place when a birth parent has placed
the child in the custody of an adoption agency for the purpose
of adoption. The agency places the child in the home of an
approved adoptive family. Long waiting periods are common
with this type of adoption due to the large number of adoptive
families and the limited number of available babies.
3. International adoptions are arranged through an agency
affiliated with international adoption agencies or foreign
governments that facilitate adoptions. In most cases, the
adoptive family will need to travel to the foreign country
to complete the adoption process. This type of adoption is
becoming increasingly popular because, in recent years, it
has become easier to work with private and governmental agencies
in foreign countries. The adoption process, parental requirements,
costs, etc., vary for each international adoption agency.
Q. If I want to pursue an international adoption, what will I need to do?
A. JFS has a networking agreement with the Maryland-based
Cradle of Hope Adoption Center. Our agreement with this international
agency enables us to help the adoptive family complete the
homestudy, as well as the additional paperwork required for
international adoptions, including dossier preparation, and
Immigration paperwork. Furthermore, JFS can assist with the
additional requirements for re-adoption under U.S. law. There
is an additional fee for these services. JFS can also complete
homestudies for other international adoption agencies.
Q. How long does an international adoption take to complete?
A. In most cases, the adoptive family will travel to pick
up their child within twelve months of the initiation of the
adoption. This varies from country to country, as well as
among the various international agencies.
Q. Is there any follow-up after an adoption is completed?
A. Post-placement services are a required part of the
homestudy process, for both domestic and international adoptions.
This usually involves three visits with the family and their
child. This varies, depending on the type of adoption.
Q. What credentials and experience does JFS have doing
homestudies and adoptions?
A. JFS is a licensed child-placing agency, which follows all
rules and regulations of the Commonwealth of Virginia. State
licensing requires renewal every one to three years and at
least two on-site evaluations every year. JFS has been providing
adoption counseling and services for over 50 years. Currently,
we complete approximately 40 homestudies a year.
Q. How much will an adoption cost and at what point in
the adoption process do fees need to be paid?
A. In most cases, the cost for both domestic and international
homestudies is $1,800. A complete fee schedule can be mailed
at your request.
We would be glad to answer any additional questions you have
regarding the adoption process or services offered at JFS.
6718 Patterson Ave.
Richmond, VA 23226
(804)282-5644 ext. 223
1-888-711-2983 (toll-free)
Email: adoption@jfsrichmond.org
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