Open your heart to a child ~ Adopt!

Transcription

1 Open your heart to a child ~ Adopt! Ethical, Caring, & Compassionate Adoption Services. Adoption is more than just a process, it is a lifelong journey of love! Let us help you on your adoption journey! *Adoption Services* Foster to Adopt and Straight Adoption from CPS International Adoption Assistance Domestic Adoption Assistance Relative/Kinship Adoptions Northbrook Drive, Suite 200 San Antonio, TX Phone (210) Fax (210)

2 Adoption Priorities, Inc. is a charitable adoption agency. We are a Christian, non-profit agency licensed by the State of Texas. Adoption Priorities, Inc. was founded by adoptive parents who understand the emotional and financial rollercoaster of adoption. Adoption Priorities, Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors with over 70 years in the adoption field. We are experienced, knowledgeable and caring! Call or us anytime! Amanda Way, MLS, LBSW, LCPAA Founder & President Amanda has worked in the adoption field for over fifteen years. Along with her husband, she has adopted two children from Russia. She is a Licensed Social Worker and believes that adoptive parents play a vital role in improving the lives of children who might otherwise never know the joys of family life. She has dedicated her work to assisting families through the adoption process and hopes in doing so that they may have cherished memories of the beginning of a remarkable journey. Amanda may be reached at amanda@adoptionpriorities.com. Mitchell Way, BA Director of Development & Compliance Mitchell is our compliance officer who oversees development of our client programs and ensures that we are always in compliance with applicable laws and licensing standards. He also assists with completing international and domestic home studies and post-placement reports. He, along with his wife Amanda, adopted two children from Russia. He can be reached at mitchell@adoptionpriorities.com Our Staff Brenda is an experienced Dossier Manager who has completed dossiers for many different countries, including the US foster care system. She has a meticulous attention to detail and is very efficient in completing complex paperwork requirements. Brenda is also in charge of keeping our office running smoothly! When relaxing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren who were adopted! Brenda can be reached at brenda@adoptionpriorities.com. Brenda Carter Office and Dossier Manager Sue provides case management services to our adoptive families and the children placed in their homes. She is an Ordained Pastor and grandmother to eleven grandchildren, two of whom were adopted as newborns. She is called to serve "the least, the last and the lost" for the Glory of God! Sue can be reached at sue@adoptionpriorities.com. Sue White, MA Foster & Adoption Case Manager For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 NIV The statistics are overwhelming: literally hundreds of thousands of children are orphaned throughout the world. These children are waiting for homes. Some wait due to CPS intervention in which parental rights have been terminated, others wait due to overwhelming poverty in their country. Regardless of the reason: they wait ~ hoping that someone will open their home and heart to them. Open your heart to a child through the joys of adoption!

3 International Families Adoption Program The International Families Adoption Program of Adoption Priorities, Inc. is our program for families in the State of Texas wishing to adopt from a foreign country. Through partnerships with ethical, reputable and well-known international adoption agencies, we will assist your family throughout the international adoption process. API has worked with families who are adopting or have adopted from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, The Republic of Georgia, Bulgaria, Armenia, Nigeria, Liberia, Haiti, Peru, Estonia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Bangladesh, The Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Iran, China, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan. Because API is a licensed, non-profit adoption agency, we are able to complete home studies for almost any foreign country. We can provide you with referrals for the international adoption agency or we can work with an agency of your choice. Program Requirements vary by international adoption agency. In general, you must be 25 years of age, financially selfsustaining, may be married, divorced or widowed. Types of Children Available for Adoption: This varies by country and agency. Typically, you can adopt infants ~ age 6 months through children age 16 from foreign countries. Males and females are available. Children may have been abandoned, abused or neglected. Fees for the International Families Adoption Program: Application Fee: (non refundable) $ Agreement & Homestudy Fee: $ Dossier Paperwork Fee: $ Dossier Fee: (optional service) $ Post-Placement Fee: per report $ Explanation of Fees: The Application Fee is due at the time the application is submitted. This fee covers the initial background checks, setting up the file and coordination with the international placing agency. The agreement and homestudy fee is due with the submission of the agreement to API. This fee covers the home visits and the homestudy report. Expediting within 2-4 weeks may be completed at an additional fee of $ Dossier paperwork fee is due at the time dossier paperwork is requested to be completed by API. This fee covers the documents your international placing agency requires us to complete. The Dossier Fee is an optional service. API will compile the dossier for your international adoption. Fees for mailing and document authentication are extra. The Post-Placement Fee includes the home visits and report after your return home. The reports are prepared according to the specification of the international agency and the foreign country. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. Isaiah 43:5 In orphanages all over the world, thousands of children dream of having a family. Let us help you make this a reality for one of those children. About Hague Adoptions: Adoption Priorities, Inc. is experienced in completing homestudies for Hague countries. We can partner with your agency as either an exempt or supervised provider. If you are adopting independently from a foreign country, we are able to have our homestudy endorsed by a Hague Accredited agency for an additional fee.

4 Adoption Priorities, Inc. is a Christian, non-profit, 501(c) 3, adoption agency licensed by the State of Texas. Our priority is to make adoption a smooth and compassionate process for birth families and a rewarding experience for adoptive families. We are committed to providing the utmost reliable, trustworthy and ethical adoption experience for our families, birth and adoptive alike. Adoption Priorities, Inc. is a member of the following organizations: American Pregnancy Association, Heartbeat International, the San Antonio Adoption Coalition, the Interagency Foster Care Collaborative. Adoption Priorities, Inc. was established to focus on the needs of children needing adoptive placement and their birth and adoptive families. With that in mind, we provide comprehensive services to birth parents, including counseling, matching and assistance as well as a thorough pre-adoption program including adoption and parenting education, counseling, and homestudy services for adoptive families. After placement, we are committed to providing post-adoption services including continuing parenting education, counseling, support groups, and various other post placement services to all members of the adoption triad. Community Awareness Projects Adoption Priorities, Inc. is the Founding Sponsor of the San Antonio Adoption Fair. This fair brings agencies together to provide information for prospective adopting families. Agencies at the fair provide domestic, international and foster care adoptions as well as foster care services. Please visit the fair website at: Want more information or have questions?? Come to an Information Meeting!! All meetings are from 6 pm to 8 pm at our office, Northbrook Drive, Suite 200 Future Dates: July 24, 2012 August 7, 2012 August 21, 2012 September 11, 2012 September 25, 2012 October 9, 2012 October 23, 2012 November 8, 2012 November 27, 2012 Please RSVP to (210)

5 Adoption Priorities, Inc. A licensed, non-profit, adoption agency Please remit the original application to API along with the non-refundable application fee of $175, copy of each applicant s driver s license and color photo of all family members. Full Name: Full Name: Aliases used (including maiden name): Aliases used (including maiden name): Date & Place of Birth: Date & Place of Birth: Social Security Number: Social Security Number: Driver s License Number: include State Driver s License Number: include State Cell Phone Number: address: Highest level of education completed Cell Phone Number: address: Highest level of education completed Occupation Annual Income Occupation Annual Income Employers name, address & phone: Employers name, address & phone: Height Weight Height Weight Hair Color Eye Color Hair Color Eye Color Religion Ethnicity Religion Ethnicity Home Address City State Zip Home Phone Permission to call you at work? Husband Wife

6 Does either applicant have a criminal history, ever been arrested, or conviction of any crime? If so, please explain including offense, year, disposition, and sentence. Does either applicant have a medical condition? List any and all medical conditions and prescribed medications. Does either applicant have any history of substance abuse, drug use, or treatment for substance abuse including alcohol or drugs? Please explain. Does either applicant have a history of mental illness, including psychological evaluation or treatment? List diagnosis and any prescribed medications. List date, County & State of ALL marriages. Date County & State Date County & State Please list dates, County & State of all divorces or death of spouse.

7 Please list all counties in Texas in which you have resided: If either applicant has resided outside the State of Texas within the past five years, list dates and place of residence. Date Address Date Address If you are applying to adopt internationally from a Hague Country, list dates and places of residence since your 18 th birthday. Date Address Date Address List the full names, dates of birth, and social security number of all children. Child s Name Date of Birth Social Security Number

8 List other household members residing in the home. Name Date of birth Social Security Number Relationship Have applicants ever applied to adopt and been turned down? Please provide details. Have applicants ever completed the homestudy process? If yes, please include a copy of the homestudy report. Please complete information regarding the program you are applying for: Creating Families (Domestic Adoptions) Is this an identified adoption? Y/N If yes, what is the birthmother s name? Do you have a placing agency? Y/N If yes, name of agency: Race/Ethnic preferences: Caucasian Hispanic African American Biracial Please check all that apply Forever Families (TDFPS Foster Care and Adoptions) This program is in partnership with the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services to place foster children in adoptive homes. Number of children Sex Ages Siblings acceptable Which type of placement are you applying for? Foster care Foster to Adoption Straight Adoption International Families (International Adoptions) This program is for families in the State of Texas that need a homestudy in order to adopt internationally. Number of children Sex Ages Siblings Acceptable Country wishing to adopt from: Placing agency if known:

9 Transitioning Families (Relative/Kinship Adoptions) This program is for families who are adopting a relative (niece, nephew, grandchild, etc) or child of spouse. Name of child Age Relationship to child Does child live with you? Yes No A La Carte Services What service is needed: Check one Homestudy for Domestic/Embryo Adoption only: Homestudy for Gestational Agreement: Post-Placement Only: Number of children Sex Ages Name of Agency, if applicable: The signatures below certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of our/my knowledge. The signatures also provide permission for API to conduct necessary background checks including, criminal and child abuse clearance checks. Any false or misleading information can be used as grounds to terminate services. Date Date Reviewed by: Adoption Priorities, Inc. Date For Office use only Date Criminal Checks Ordered Date Received Approved Denied Additional comments: Date entered in Salesforce By: