Adoption agencies
NCFA’s member adoption agencies are an excellent resource for adopting
through an agency and to find out about available education, counseling, and
support groups.
State Adoption Specialists
Every state has an Adoption Specialist, who can answer questions about the
adoption processes for the state in which you live. NCFA also provides
answers to frequently asked adoption questions.
Adoption Data and Facts
Adoption is a long-standing institution in America. It is well worth the
time to explore data and facts about domestic, foster care, and intercountry
adoption in America.
Costs of Adopting
The cost of adoption differs if adopting domestically, from the public
foster care system, or from overseas. Domestic adoptions and intercountry
adoptions cost anywhere from $8,000 to $40,000, more commonly falling
between $15,000 to $25,000. The cost of adopting a child from foster care
adoption is minimal. Needed post-adoption services are also a cost
consideration. Costs might include family counseling or medical procedures
in case of a child with special needs. There are in place a number of
cost-saving mechanisms, such as federal tax credits, which assist in
defraying pre- and post-adoption expenses.
Adoption Attorneys
To find out about using an attorney to complete an adoption, the American
Academy of Adoption Attorneys is a good source for attorneys specializing in
adoption.
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Adoption was the last thing on my mind in 1988 when I was hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro and
sailing around the Virgin Islands. However, I decided to turn my spare
bedroom into a place for foster children while they transitioned to
permanent homes.
I remember my mother bringing home
random children from the orphan home where she served on the board. As
the "baby" of our family, I often wondered aloud why these children were
tagging along on our everyday family events. However, even I couldn't ignore their
unmistakable joy from being included in our family's activities I often took
for granted.
In January 1989, I completed my foster
care training and five months later, a social worker called about placing a nine-day old boy who was still in the hospital nursery. Shock, panic and excitement hit
me all
at once. I was expecting a school age child, not
a baby. What did I know about taking care of a newborn? I had no infant clothes,
no baby furniture, no bottles, no diapers, or
toys in my house and I certainly hadn’t planned on having a baby by the weekend. My family lived out of state and all my friends were single with
full time jobs of their own.
Once the baby arrived home, my fears began to subside. I became a full
time parent – all the way down to the 2 am feedings! When the social worker
called a couple of months later to say the placement would be longer than the
original 4 months, I was actually relieved. The bond between me and my adorable,
happy newborn
was very strong and I did not look forward to returning him to "the system."
After a year went by, it was clear that reuniting my foster child with his
birth family would be delayed even further. Of course, the longer he stayed, the
more attached I became. The roller coaster ride of the next few years was a time
I would never want to repeat. Thankfully, I never had to face the anguish of
letting him go and the adoption became final in 1994.
My son knows he is adopted and will occasionally ask questions about his
birth family that I answer with my own limited knowledge. Last year, I was so
touched when he wanted to have a party to celebrate the anniversary of his
official adoption. When we sent out the invitations, the majority of the people
didn’t even know he was adopted!
Although I am still single, I make sure to make time for a social life
outside of PTA, sports and boy scouts. I now bring my son along on my travels
and we recently went on a safari in Kenya! Today, my son is taller than I am and
a full fledged tween (pre-teen) preoccupied with music, dances and girls.
I know this too shall pass along with the "terrible twos," potty
training, and kindergarten. However, I will always be grateful that I have my
son in my life.
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