Adoption Options. United States Information Booklet. United States Information Booklet Page 1

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1 Adoption Options United States Information Booklet 1313 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 0V United States Information Booklet Page 1

2 Adoption Options Mission Statement To provide adoption services to both birth and adoptive families so they can make an informed decision regarding their options. About Adoption Options Adoption Options Manitoba is a licensed not-for-profit adoption agency which provides a full range of adoption services to both birthparents and prospective adoptive parents. The Adoption Act regulates fees for services to prospective adoptive couples and that Manitoba residents may make an application for adoption. Adoption Options has helped create over 350 forever families through adoption. Adoption Options is Licensed To Provide Services In The Following: Division 2 PRIVATE ADOPTION The birthmother chooses and meets the prospective adoptive family through the agency. Adoption Options also provides Direct Placement Services where a birthmother meets a prospective adoptive family before coming to the agency. Division 3 INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION Adoptions from countries other than Canada. Division 4 DE FACTO ADOPTION A person may apply for the adoption of a child who has been in their care, control and maintenance for at least two years. Division 5 EXTENDED FAMILY ADOPTION A birthparent may place a child with an extended family member. Division 6 ADOPTION BY A PARENT WHO IS MARRIED TO A CHILD S PARENT A stepparent may adopt a child of their spouse. United States Information Booklet Page 2

3 PROGRAMS Adoption Options currently offers two programs: Division 2 - Private Adoption Division 3 - Intercountry Adoption The Adoption Act of Manitoba allows you to have an Application for Adoption in each Division. Only one application per Division is allowed. You could have applications open with Adoption Options for both Divisions 2 and 3. However, when an Intercountry Adoption Dossier leaves Canada, the Division 2 application must be put on hold.. The application will remain on hold for at least year after placement United States Information Booklet Page 3

4 Intercountry Adoption Programs & Procedures DEFINITIONS ASC: Adoption By Shepherd Care (ASC) is Hague accredited adoption agency located in Florida. Adoption Options works ASC to facilitate adoptions through the United States. SEMI-OPEN ADOPTION: Usually involves a meeting between the birthmother and the adoptive family. Exchange of pictures and letters between birthmother and adoptive family after the adoption is finalized twice yearly for the first two years of life and then once yearly until the child is eighteen years old. There is full disclosure of identities between birthmother and adoptive family. DOSSIER: It is a collection of documents that is sent to ASC. It includes information describing the applicants and demonstrates that they are suitable, capable and willing to assume the responsibilities of a parent to a child. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CANADA (CIC) This is the government of Canada agency which approves the child, who is adopted abroad, being allowed to enter Canada either through Citizenship or Sponsorship. CHILD REFERRAL: This is the document sent to Manitoba Family Services from ASC. This profiles the medical social history of the birthparents. This information is given to the Prospective Adoptive Parents through Adoption Options. United States Information Booklet Page 4

5 United States Programs & Procedures Adoption Options is very pleased to have Adoption By Shepherd Care (ASC) as the facilitator for our United States Program. ASC is a non-profit agency that helps Canadian families adopt children through their agencies in Florida. ASC was established in 1980 and has been operating as a licensed child-placing agency in the State of Florida since its inception. While many U.S. agencies closed their programs to Canadian families after the implementation of the Hague Convention, Adoption by Shepherd Care has remained committed to serving Canadian families who are seeking to adopt. ASC has worked closely with the U.S. Department of State and Canadian Provincial governments to establish processes that are in compliance with the Hague Convention. ASC has also established working relationships with agencies in both Alberta and British Columbia. ASC works with birthmothers who are making an adoption plan for their child and loving couples who seek to become parents through adoption. Couples create a profile of their family, and birthmothers select a family for their child after viewing profiles of waiting families. UNITED STATES (ASC) ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS Age of Applicants Married applicants must be between the ages of Marriage Requirements The applicants must be a couple of one male and one female, married at least one year at the time the dossier is submitted United States Information Booklet Page 5

6 STEP 1 - INITIAL INTERVIEW & APPLICATION APPOINTMENT At this appointment, the agencies policies and procedures will be explained and questions will be answered. You will also be able to apply at that time. This appointment is approximately two hours long. STEP 2 - EDUCATION SEMINAR The U.S. Education Seminar will be held twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. This is a one day course held Saturdays from 9:00am till 4:00pm. STEP 3 - ADOPTION FILE DEVELOPMENT After attending the Education Seminar, prospective adoptive parents have all the information and documents that are required for their adoption file. STEP 4 - HOMESTUDY A file submission appointment is scheduled when the applicants are ready to more forward to the next step of having the Homestudy completed. The purpose of the Homestudy is to determine suitability, capability, and willingness to assume the responsibilities of a parent to a child. The Homestudy will also include medical reports, criminal record checks, child abuse registry checks, prior contact checks and 5 letters of reference. To complete the Homestudy there is a minimum of four interviews/contacts with an Adoption Counsellor. Each interview is approximately two hours in length. STEP 5 APPROVAL When prospective adoptive parents have met all the requirements it will be determined if they are suitable, capable and willing to assume the responsibilities of a parent to a child that is Approved for Placement. United States Information Booklet Page 6

7 PLEASE NOTE: Approval does not guarantee that a placement will occur or that the file will be approved by Adoption By Shepherd Care Should applicants not be approved then they may request a review. Applicants may transfer their file from one agency to another. Any change in marital status would affect the application. Any significant changes in life circumstances could also affect an application. DOSSIER DEVELOPMENT During the Homestudy the dossier is also being prepared. The dossier will include a formal application for ASC, a completed homestudy, and other documents as required by ASC. STEP 6 - PROVINCIAL APPROVAL The Dossier is sent to Manitoba Family Services for the Provincial Letter of Recommendation to be granted. The dossier is sent to Adoption By Shepherd Care by Manitoba Family Services once they have issued a Letter of Recommendation Adoption Options will be notified when the Dossier has been received by ASC. STEP 7 MATCHING PROCESS Similar to Adoption Options private adoptions, ASC uses a double match system to match birthmothers with waiting families. During dossier development adoptive families have the opportunity to convey to ASC what types of situations they are open to, and their profile will be shown only to birthmothers whose situations match with the adoptive families comfort levels. Birthmothers will select an adoptive family from the profiles she is shown. United States Information Booklet Page 7

8 STEP 8 MATCHED ASC will contact Manitoba Family Services when a family from Manitoba has been selected. ASC will provide Manitoba Family Services with background social/medical information on birthparents, estimate of costs of the adoption and a contract. Manitoba Family Services reviews the proposal to determine if the proposal fits within the adoptive family s approval status. Manitoba Family Services will then send the proposal to Adoption Options to discuss with the adoptive family. The adoptive family has 48 hours from the time the information is provided to Manitoba Family Services to decide whether to proceed with the adoption. STEP 9 SIGNED COSENTS Birthmother will sign Affidavit of Birthparent Supporting the Choice to Place the Child with Prospective Adoptive Family Residing Out of the United States of America. When applicable, birthfather will sign an affidavit as well. Birthmother signs Consents to Adoption 48 hours after the birth of the child or upon her discharge from a licensed hospital or birthing center in accordance with state laws. TRAVEL TO FLORIDA The adoptive family may take placement of the child any time after the birthmother signs consent, there is no revocation period in the State of Florida. ASC will assist families in making their travel arrangements to Florida and take the required series of steps to fulfill the Hague Convention requirements that will allow the family to return to Canada. Families should be prepared to be in the United States for a total of two to three weeks as they wait for the requirements of the process to be completed. United States Information Booklet Page 8

9 POST PLACEMENT REPORTS Once home, the adoptive family must have three post placement reports completed by Adoption Options during the 90 days after the placement of the child in their home. The report will consist of three appointments with an Adoption Counsellor, one of which needs to occur in the adoptive families home. Adoption Options will prepare the post placement report and submit them to Manitoba Family Services. Manitoba Family Services will review the reports and send them to ASC. ADOPTION FINALIZED ASC will prepare all documentation necessary for the finalization of the Hague Convention adoption. The adoption will be finalized on Broward County, Florida, this generally takes 6 to 9 months after placement. A final order of adoption will be provided to Manitoba Family Services. United States Information Booklet Page 9

10 United States Program Fees US PROGRAM FEES DIVISION 3 INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS INITIAL INTERVIEW/APPLICATION $ EDUCATION COMPONENT $ HOMESTUDY $ SECOND or SUBSEQUENT HOMESTUDY $ YEARLY UPDATE TO EXISTING HOMESTUDY $ DISBURSEMENTS $ REQUIREMENTS OF CHILD S COUNTRY OF ORIGIN 1st Instalment $ nd Instalment $ POST PLACEMENT REPORTS each $ Transfer Fee $ ADOPTION BY SHEPHERD CARE FEES ASC APPLICATION FEE ESCROW PAYMENT AGENCY FEES (includes birthmother assistance & legal fees) $ USD $ $ USD $25, $40, USD TRAVEL COSTS Air Travel Air Travel one Way for Child* Hotel, in Florida Transportation, Excursions Meals, Incidentals Please note that fees may change with U.S. dollar exchange rate *Families that adopt a child over two years old are required to purchase a one-way fare from Florida to Canada (as opposed to an infant-in-arms fare). United States Information Booklet Page 10

11 Frequently Asked Questions 1. How long is the wait? At Adoption by Shepherds Care it is the birthmother who chooses the family. Options can not predict when or guarantee if you will be chosen. Adoption 2. Can a birthmother change her mind and take the baby back? According to Florida law, a birthmother may sign consents to adoption 48 hours after the birth of the child or upon the birthmother s discharge from the hospital whichever is sooner. There is no revocation period in the state of Florida, and a birthparent can revoke their consent only by proving fraud or duress in court proceedings. Birthfathers may sign papers consenting to the adoption at any time before or after the baby is born. When a family is matched to a case, the details of the birthfather legal situation will be explained to them. 3. Do I have to have contact with the birthmother? How much? Adoption by Shepherd Care supports a philosophy of semi-open adoption, which usually involves a meeting between the birthmother and adoptive family and the exchange of pictures and letters through the years. The meeting typically takes place after the birth of the child when the family travels to Florida. The family is then responsible for sending pictures and letters to the birthmother through ASC, at regular intervals during the child s first two years of life and then once yearly until the child is eighteen years old. 4. Can we specify the sex of the child we want? Most birthmothers are pregnant when making a placement plan and few if any know the sex of their unborn baby. If you specify the sex of the child you would only be shown to birthmothers who match and have given birth. United States Information Booklet Page 11

12 5. What will we know about the Birthmother? Birthfather? When you are chosen, the Adoption Counsellor will contact you and provide Birthmothers medical and social history. If the birthfather is involved, you would also receive the same information on him. If he is not involved then the only information regarding the birthfather would be what birthmother has supplied. 6. What is the cost of an adoption from the United States? Costs are approximately $25, $40,000+ USD for ASC fees. Factors that may affect the cost include travel costs and expenses while in Florida. 7. Can I adopt more than one child? Only in the case of twins or siblings would the applicants be allowed to adopt more than one child at a time. This is extremely rare. If the applicants wish to adopt a second child from the United States they must wait a full year before submitting another Dossier. 8. Do we have to travel to Florida to receive the child? Yes, the adoptive family is required to travel to Florida. After consents are signed the child will be placed with the adoptive family and ASC will initiate a series of steps required to allow the adoptive family to return to Canada. The two main requirements during this time are the signing of the order by a judge and the approval of the adoption from the Manitoba Government. The family is required to stay in Florida until the order is signed by the judge (7-10 days), after which the adoptive family is free to travel within the United States but cannot return to Canada until all requirements are fulfilled. Families should be prepared to be in the United States for a total of two to three weeks. United States Information Booklet Page 12

13 Greeting From A Proud Adoptive Parent Division III United States Program Mommy, did I watch a movie in my birth mom s tummy? is the question of the day in our home. My husband and I are blessed with two amazing children (4 year old son and 5 month old daughter). Both our children were born and adopted from the USA as infants. I am certain that this cute and innocent question is one of many that I will hear over the years as our children grow up. As a mother, how will I answer the inquisitive and thoughtful conversations with my children about adoption? How will we raise our children different than someone that has biological children...or will it be different? Every parent s journey to, and through adoption is unique. The process can be the same, the financial commitment can be similar, but that s where it stops. Before adoption and just over 14 years ago, I became a mom for the first time at the age of 21. My daughter, went to be with Jesus just a few hours after she was born...her birthday became bittersweet as she entered our world, planted several footsteps on our hearts and then laid down to rest in the arms of Jesus. The day that I walked out of the hospital, I was that mom who drove home with a pretty vase, flowers and emptiness in my heart. Fast forward life to 2006 (our 1 st adoption) and now again to 2010 (our 2 nd adoption) when I reflect on two birthmothers who drove home from the hospital with a pretty vase, flowers and a deep rooted emptiness in their hearts. Is it ironic that each of us travelled home from the hospital in the same fashion? I don t think so God has a purpose for each of us. Our situations are different, the grief sets in for different reasons but there is a reason that I still remember what that feeling is like. After My husband and I managed to be on the same adoption page at the same time, we agreed to pursue it. I was anxious, but not yet desperate to be a parent when we first started the paperwork. By the time we considered ourselves waiting for the phone call, that had all changed. I felt that level of desperation and jumped every time our call display showed a USA area code. When we adopted for the second time, I was well educated in the process and emotionally aware of the journey but that anxious and excited feeling didn t go away. I jumped just as high, paced my house at the same rapid pace I did the first time we adopted it s a roller coaster that you love to hate! You love it as long as nothing goes wrong but you fear the unknown of what is around the corner. When we adopted our son, we were selected by the birth mother and father at around 7 months into her pregnancy but we didn t know this until after the delivery. The first we heard was when we got the call to come get our son. 24 hours later, we were in the USA waiting to meet our son. That is a lot to deal with in such a short time. When I first laid eyes on our son, he had such big round dark eyes. His hair was straight and jet-black, so soft. He just looked up at me with those huge eyes and I melted. We finally had our little baby!!! There was an immediate emotional connection. United States Information Booklet Page 13

14 What I wasn t prepared for was the post placement blues. My body and mind had to adjust to some pretty radical changes when we came home. I didn t expect this and no one warned me that this even existed or that it may happen. It was a rough couple of weeks just adjusting to the life schedule I was used to. I felt such guilt for having these blues after waiting so long for the moment to bring our son home. Having supportive family was very important during these weeks. Our 2 nd adoption, we found out that the birth mother and father selected us to be the adoptive family at 7 months into the pregnancy. We talked with her on the phone and it became very real, very quickly. Each day of the pregnancy that we shared, we invested more emotionally and the reality of what we faced in the coming weeks was on our thoughts a lot. When we received the call, I screamed. My husband and I jumped back onto the roller coaster but this time, we put our seat belts on. We had an emotionally charging but beautiful meeting with the birth mom. I have etched in my heart, the moment that she looked into my eyes and said the words here is your daughter and gently laid this beautiful little girl with perfect lips and perfect everything in my arms. We cried together and shared some really wonderful moments together with the birth mother. What helped each of us, including the birthmother, get through the tough moments were the comments that came from our son: Hey look! She is brown like me! OR My baby sister is here, now we can be a family again! Our meeting and placement was beautiful. Before I experienced the adoption journey, I felt safe not knowing what a birth mother goes through to create an Adoption Plan. Now...after 2 adoptions and many discussions with the birth mothers, my heart knows how real it is. I share their tears and when I have to prop my eyes open in the middle of the night with our daughter (who is all about the nightlife), I remember the hearts of these birth mothers. I don t know their pain, but it is deep. These birth moms created an adoption plan knowing that they may never see that child again or that they may never hear them cry again, hear them speak their first words, take their first steps, hold their own bottle or be there to see them off to school for the first time. What amazing women! I am confident that the day they were discharged from the hospital will be with them forever...i also know that our hearts are knit together with theirs forever and I am so glad... A special thanks to Adoption Options for holding our fragile hearts and hands through our second adoption! A Message From My Heart, ~ Edna United States Information Booklet Page 14

15 1313 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0V3 Phone: Fax Corporate Office: 5935 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL Phone: Fax: United States Information Booklet Page 15