Birth Parent Counseling
Adopting an Infant
Home Study Services
- What happens after I have the baby? What are my options?
- You can place your baby for adoption with an approved family, someone in your extended family, or raise your child yourself. As you talk with a counselor you will see more clearly what is best for you and for your child. We can also provide you with medical, financial, legal, parenting and housing referrals.
- What do I have to sign?
- If you are planning to place your child for adoption, you would sign an Entrustment and Release Agreement voluntarily terminating parental rights. You would also sign an affidavit concerning the birth father.
- I’m no longer seeing the father, so he doesn’t have anything to do with this, right? Do you have to contact him or his family?
- If you are not involved with the birth father, the agency will try to locate him based on the information provided. If we are able to make contact, we will discuss with him the plan of adoption for the baby and see if he is in agreement. If he is, he will sign a Release and Entrustment Consent. If we are unable to find him we will have to file a petition in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court requesting that his rights be terminated because his whereabouts are unknown.
- What if I don’t know who the father is?
- If the birth father is unknown, the agency will file a petition in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to terminate his rights based on identity unknown.
- Can I choose the adoptive family?
- Yes. You can choose the type of family that you would like for your child. We have a book of families with pictures and profiles you can look through. You may also have the option of meeting them.
- Do you think the adoptive family will want to meet me? Do I have to meet them?
- The adoptive parents are happy to meet the birth mother or birth parents if a meeting is requested. The agency can arrange it. If you choose not to meet, that is okay as well.
- How much will the adoptive family know about me?
- You decide how much you want the adoptive family to know about you. They may know your full identity or not, depending on what you decide is best for you and your child. They will know your medical history as it pertains to the child. You can also write the family a letter about yourself or ask your counselor to tell them about you.
- Can I name the baby?
- Yes.
- How soon will the baby be placed with the adoptive family?
- At CHS, we believe that babies should be placed as quickly as possible with their permanent family.
- What if I wanted to get the baby back? How long do I have to change my mind?
- The birth parent has seven to 10 days to revoke the signed entrustment.
- Do you need to contact my family?
- No, any decisions made concerning the baby are up to the birth parents.
- Do I have to come to court?
- The court appointed attorney will speak to you by phone and let you know whether you need to appear. In most cases, if the birth mother has signed an entrustment, she does not have to appear in court.
- Will I be able to find out how my child is doing after placement?
- Yes, you can request pictures and updates. In some types of adoption there is more contact. You can discuss your wishes with your counselor when you meet.
- How will I know my child will be with a good family?
- All families who adopt in Virginia must, by law, have an approved adoptive home study. We have a list of loving families who have been thoroughly screened and are educated about adoption issues. During the home study, a CHS social worker gets to know the prospective adoptive parents very well. You can feel secure knowing these families have provided references along with medical, educational and financial histories. Criminal and driving records are also checked.
Adopting an Infant
- I’m interested in adopting an infant. What are the steps?
- Everyone wishing to adopt an infant is invited to attend a CHS orientation to learn more about what’s involved. After you attend an orientation you can submit an application, which we will review. Once your application is approved, you will complete a home study evaluation, which also must be approved to proceed. CHS also requires you to complete a training course for adoptive parents. You are then qualified to adopt, and you will join other parents on our list of waiting families.Once you are selected to adopt an infant and you welcome the baby into your home, you will be monitored by CHS to ensure everyone is adjusting well. When all legal processes are completed, CHS will finalize the adoption.
Tell me about the different types of adoption.- Parental placement: The birth parents place their child directly with the adoptive family. The agency does not take custody.
Agency placement: The adoptive family accepts a child who is in the custody of the agency. The adoptive family and the birth parents may meet on a non-identified basis, or they can exchange identifying information. They may share letters and pictures directly, or have the agency act as an intermediary.
Family/relative adoption: The agency provides the home study to the adoptive family as well as counseling services to the birth parents.
How long does the adoption process take?- It is difficult to give an exact amount of time since it varies from family to family. After a child is placed in your home, there is a minimum period of six months before the finalization process can begin. You can, however, be certain that your CHS social worker will be there to support you throughout the entire process.
How much does it cost to adopt an infant?- Fees vary, depending on the type of adoption. You can view the fee schedule by clicking here.
How long do birthparents have to change their minds? Is there any chance the birth parents or other family members will try to get the child back?- The birth parents have seven to 10 days to revoke their entrustments depending on when they were signed. The baby has to be 10 days old for the entrustments to be in effect. Once parental rights have been terminated and the child is in the adoptive home, the birth parents cannot get the child back unless they can prove fraud or duress. Once the adoption is finalized, they have no option to file a petition requesting the child’s return.
What if the birth mother doesn’t know who the birth father is?- If the birth mother does not know who the father is, she will sign an affidavit stating that. CHS will then have to file a petition in juvenile court to terminate parental rights of the unknown birth father.
What are the requirements to adopt?- Whether you are single, married or divorced, you can adopt a child. There are no specific income requirements, but you must be able to financially manage the addition of a child or children to your family. And it doesn’t matter whether you rent or own, live in apartment, a house or a mobile home, all you need is a home that is clean and safe. CHS does require applicants be at least 25 years of age.
What is the background of the infant?- We place healthy infants of all races, as well as children with special needs. Special needs includes medical challenges, babies born exposed to drugs or alcohol and children with a family history of mental illness or retardation.
How much contact will there be with the birth parents?- When the birth parents choose the adoptive family, the amount of contact is up to the families involved. The identities of each family can be kept confidential, or you can have a more open relationship.
What kind of support will be available for my family and for the child during the adoption process and after the adoption is finalized?- At CHS, we believe adoption is a lifelong process. Our services include counseling for not just birth parents, but adoptive parents and adoptees for their entire lives.
Will I need an attorney?- Yes, in most cases.
Home Study Services
- What is a home study?
- A home study allows the agency to get to know you and for you to find out more about adoption. The process educates and prepares families for adoption and helps social workers determine whether you are ready to adopt. It’s a time when social workers gather information about you so that we can match you with a child whose needs you can meet.
In Virginia, state law requires that you have an approved home study before you adopt a child. Our social workers will check references, as well as medical and financial histories. Criminal background checks, Child Protective Services and DMV checks also will be made.
How long does it take?
A home study involves three visits with a social worker. On average, a home study takes about three months.
How much does it cost?
From $1,500 to $2,500.
What if I’ve had a home study completed by another agency? Do I have to start over at CHS?
We will request a copy of the original home study. But in order to be an approved family at CHS, the agency will conduct a new home study.
If I’m adopting for a second time, do I need to complete another home study?
If your first adoption has been finalized and you wish to adopt for a second time, our agency will need to complete a new home study.
How long is a home study good for?
Once the home study has been completed and approved, it is good for two years. After that, it will need to be updated.