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 Creating Families Adoption Program In the Creating Families Adoption Program, Adoption Priorities, Inc. assists families who are completing a domestic adoption either through an identified adoption or an adoption agency. Identified adoptions usually involve a birthmother that the adoptive family knows and matches with prior to engaging an agency. For these adoptions, API is able to complete home studies, post-placement reports and supervise the placement of a baby in the adoptive families home as well as assist with providing services to the birthmother, and obtaining relinquishments of the birthparents. In an agency adoption, API would complete the home study and post-placement supervision including post-placement reports while the family works with another agency to match with a birthmother. API can refer the adoptive family to an adoption attorney for the finalization of the adoption. Adoption Priorities, Inc. also offers assistance with completing a parent profile for advertising purposes. API provides consultation on the types of photos, format and letters that will offer the adoptive family the most success in being selected by a birthmother. Completion of the home study usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks however API can expedite the process for your family, if needed. Who may apply: Texas Residents who are married couples or single females, financially self-sustaining, able to pass a criminal and child abuse background check, and generally healthy. Fees for the Creating Families Adoption Program: Application Fee: $ (non-refundable) Homestudy Fee: $1, Parent Profile Consultation: $ (w/3 hours of consultation) Post-Placement Reports: $ (per report) Relinquishments of Birthparents: (if needed) Birth Mother Services for Identified Adoptions: $ (per parent) $ 3, (see explanation below) Explanation of Fees: 1. The Application Fee is due at the time an application is submitted and covers the initial background checks, and setting up a file. 2. The Homestudy Fee is due at the time you submit your agreement for services. It covers your home study process and education process. If you would like the home study expedited within 2-4 weeks, an additional fee will be assessed at $ The Parent Profile Consultation Fee includes program includes 3 hours of consultation with API in regards to your profile letters, format and photos. This fee is due at the time you engage API in this services. It is an optional service. 4. The Birth Mother Case Management Fee includes monitoring the birth mother s part of the case, such as providing guidance and education about adoption, providing oversight with regard to financial assistance given to the birth mother during the pregnancy and post-delivery. This fee is due at the time you engage API in this optional service. It does not include the funds necessary to provide the financial assistance (i.e. housing, food, maternity clothing, utilities, etc). 5. Post-Placement Report Fee is due prior to the home visit for the post-placement report. 6. Relinquishments of Birthparents Fee is due prior to the relinquishment. It covers API compiling the relinquishment documents, providing witnesses and a notary and administering the relinquishment for any birthparents involved. It does not cover travel if the birthparents live outside of San Antonio. Travel outside of San Antonio will be billed at $ per trip. Additional fees may include education classes, fingerprinting, or fees from outside entities, such as, obtaining certified copies. Transitioning Families Adoption Program This program helps families in Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe counties who may need specialized adoption services for their families such as: Step-parent Adoption Relative Adoption (within the first degree) Kinship Placements Court Ordered Social Studies for adoption Adoption Priorities, Inc. can provide a complete, thorough and professional social study prepared according to court requirements for $400. For Expedited studies, add $100. Other Domestic Adoption Services Homestudy for Domestic or Embryo Adoption ~ Non-Refundable Application fee of $ and Homestudy fee of $ Homestudy for Gestational Agreements ~ Non-Refundable Application fee of $ and Homestudy fee of $ Post-placement only for domestic adoptions ~ $ per report, plus travel if family lives outside of San Antonio area and this is the only service rendered.

4 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, 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.

5 Forever Families Adoption Program (Foster, Foster to Adopt and Straight Adoption) Within the State of Texas, there are thousands of children who are living without a Forever Family. These children are currently living in foster homes or treatment facilities waiting for someone to claim them as their own. The reasons that they wait vary and can include abandonment, abuse or neglect or having specialized needs. Regardless, each and every child waiting for a home deserves a family to love and cherish them forever! Adoption Priorities, Inc. has partnered with the TDFPS to find loving, caring Forever Families for waiting children in TDFPS custody. This program is designed to place children and sibling groups of all ages in homes that are able to meet their needs through either foster care, foster-to-adopt or straight adoption. Foster to adopt means you will be a foster parent first and then adopt the child whereas straight adoption means the child is already legally available for adoption at placement. Program Requirements: Must be 21 years of age. Be financially self-sustaining. May be married, single, divorced or widowed. If married, should be for at least two years. Be willing to submit to a criminal background check. Be willing to attend parenting classes. Participate in a home study. Be committed to parenting a special child. Types of Children Available for Adoption: All ages for foster and foster to adopt OR school age & older for straight adoption May be a member of a racial or ethnic group. May have been born drug exposed. May have a professionally diagnosed physical, mental or emotional condition. May have been emotionally, physically or sexually abused, neglected or abandoned. May be a sibling group that needs to be placed together or maintain contact with each other. API receives funding for the Forever Families Program through the State of Texas therefore there are no agency fees paid by the adoptive family. There may be fees associated with other entities such as lawyers, education classes, books obtaining fingerprints, etc. About Foster Care When you foster a child who is in Texas CPS custody, you are providing a temporary home for a needy child. CPS, API and the foster family work together to reunite the child with their biological family. To participate in this program, you must live within 100 miles of Adoption Priorities, Inc. s office in San Antonio. This program is great for families who have parenting experience and wish to enhance the life of a child through consistent care-giving. You are reimbursed for the care you provide to a child in need! About Foster to Adopt The Foster to Adopt program offers an opportunity for families to provide foster care services to children in need with the intent of adopting the child once parental rights are terminated. This program is great for families wishing to adopt younger children or sibling groups with small children. To participate in this program, you must live within 100 miles of Adoption Priorities, Inc. s office in San Antonio. You are reimbursed for the foster care you provide to the child and might receive an adoption subsidy once you adopt! About Straight Adoption In Straight Adoption, children are legally free for adoption and live with your family for at least 6 months prior to the adoption being finalized. This program is geared toward families who wish to adopt children who are school age or sibling groups. To participate in this program, you may reside anywhere in Texas however you may have to travel to our office for trainings or during the matching process to meet the child. You may be eligible for an adoption subsidy if the child meets the definition of having special needs. Special needs include being a minority over the age of 2, Caucasian over the age of 6, a part of a sibling group or having a medical or mental health diagnosis. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families Psalms 68: 5-6 There are thousands of children in the foster care system just waiting to be adopted... All of these children need a "Forever Family" to call their own.

6 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)

7 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 (there is NO application fee for Forever Families or Transitioning Families), 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

8 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.

9 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

10 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:

11 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: