A: Adoption is a legal process which permanently gives parental rights to adoptive parents. Adoption means taking a child/youth into your home as a permanent family member. It means caring for and guiding children/youth through their growing years and giving them the love and understanding they need to develop their full potential.
Q: WHAT IS AN ADOPTION HOME STUDY?
A: The Adoption Home study is a chance for the Social Worker to get to know you and your family. It consists of interviews with all family members living in your home, both individually and jointly. Prospective adoptive parents must complete paperwork that deals with issues such as finances, health, employment, family of origin and parenting.
Documentation such as marriage certificates, divorce documents, military discharge and child support information will be requested. Prospective adoptive parents will have to give permission to have criminal and child abuse clearances and will have to provide the Social Worker with three personal references. All family members will have to complete a physical exam and be free of Tuberculosis TB.
Once all of the interviews have taken place and the documentation is complete, a written assessment is prepared with a recommendation regarding the family and their ability to parent an adopted child/youth.
Q: IS THERE A COST FOR THE FOST/ADOPT PROCESS?
A: Nuevo Amanecer Latino does not charge a fee for the Adoption Home Study. There may be other incidental costs, such as a LiveScan (criminal clearances) costs of ordering necessary documents, such as a marriage certificate, or costs associated with physical exams. In addition, if the family elects to work with a private adoption attorney, there will be additional expenses. However, child welfare institution such as the department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) provides a cost reimbursement.
Up to $400.00 of non-recurring adoption expenses are reimbursed to you by the county after the adoption is finalized. Additionally, there is a substantial tax credit for everyone who finalizes an adoption.
Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO HAVE A FOST/ADOPT CHILD PLACED IN MY HOME?
A: Once you become an approved resource parent a child/youth can be placed in your home immediately. The child/youth are initially placed as a foster child/youth.
Q: WHAT IS Adoption Assistance Program (AAP?)
A: The Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) is a federal program of financial assistance for adoptive children/youth . Although there is eligibility criteria, all adopted children/youth who were dependents of the court qualify for AAP benefits.
The adoptive child/youth are eligible to receive AAP until the age of 21.
A child/youth who qualifies for AAP benefits is also eligible for health care services through the Medi-Cal program. Medi-Cal can be used for most necessary medical services. When the adopting family has private medical insurance, Medi-Calcan be used as a supplemental plan.
Q: WITH THE FOST/ADOPT PROCESS HOW LONG WILL IT BE BEFORE THE ADOPTION IS FINALIZED?
A: There are many factors involved in a case moving though the fost/adopt process. Once parental rights have been terminated an adoption can be finalized in approximately 6 months.
However, a child/youth can be placed with you on a foster care basis for as long as one to two years before parental rights are terminated. Much depends on how far long the case is in the legal process when a child is placed with you.
Q: IS THERE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BIRTH PARENT AND ADOPTIVE PARENT(S) AFTER THE CHILD IS ADOPTED?
A: Whether or not there is continued contact is at the discretion of the adoptive parent(s) and the birth parent(s). Legally there does not have to be contact, however it is important to assess what is in the best interest of everyone involved.
