Although the process may vary slightly depending on where you live, the adoption process normally includes an orientation session, an in-depth training program (MAPP) or (PRIDE) to help you determine if adoption is right for you and your family, a home study and a background check. This process can usually be completed within nine months. Once the process has been completed, you are ready to be matched with a child. As an adoption support agency, working in partnership with the Department of Children and Families and the Community Based Care Lead Agencies and their providers, One Church One Child will refer you to the Community Based Care Adoption Worker in your local area who will work with you in continuing the adoption process. As a partner, One Church One Child will be available and track you as you navigate through the adoption process. Here are the steps below:

1. Call
If you already have an approved home study and a specific child in mind, or you do not have a home study, you can call One Church One Child at 85 0-414-5620. After discussing your interest in adoption, you will be formerly referred to the Community Based Care Adoption Worker in your area who can help you continue the adoption process listed below:

2. Orientation
Orientation is a one to two hour presentation that will give you a chance to meet and talk with experienced adoptive parents and counselors who will provide an overview of the entire adoption process from start to finish.

3. Preparation Course (MAPP or PRIDE)
The Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) and Parents' Resources for Information Development Education (PRIDE) are trainings and preparation courses that adoptive parents are required to successfully complete. Depending on your community based care agency, you will need to complete either the MAPP or PRIDE training. The training will give you the opportunity to assess yourself and your family and to explore and learn about adoption issues. These training sessions are usually scheduled at night or on weekends.

4. Home Study
The purpose of the home study is to make sure you can provide a child with a safe and secure home. During this time, local, state and federal background checks will be conducted on all adults living in the household. You will be required to supply references from your employer and school officials if you have children in school, and character references from individuals who have known you and your family.

An adoption worker will visit your home at least once to talk to you and other family members about adoption. The worker will likely ask you about your reasons for wanting to adopt, your financial situation, and your parenting style and philosophy. If you are married, you may be asked about the strength of your marriage. It's important to be completely open and honest during these meetings. Keep in mind that everyone involved is working together to ensure a successful adoption.

5. Approval
All of this information is gathered into a home study packet and sent for approval to an adoption specialist. You will be notified as soon as your application is approved.

6. Seeking the Right Match
You may continue to look at the available children on the web and attend adoptive parent support group meetings. When your home study is completed, you may attend recruitment activities including the picnics or events when foster children who are available for adoption are in attendance. Notify your adoption worker when you are interested and need more information about a certain child or sibling group.

7. Match!
At last, you and your adoption worker have identified a child who seems to be a perfect match. Now is the time to learn as much as you can about the child. You may talk to the child's foster parents or social worker to gain valuable insight into the child's personality and background. At the same time you are learning about the child, the adoption worker is sharing information about you and your family with the child. Some families prepare a photo album with pictures of their home, family members, family pets and the general neighborhood as a good way to introduce themselves to the child prior to an initial visit. When the child is comfortable, an initial short visit occurs. This initial visit is followed by longer and longer visits until the adoption worker, child and family agree that an overnight or extended visit can occur. There is no set timeframe for getting to know each other. The official placement in your home will occur when you, the child and the adoption worker determine that the child is ready.

8. Placement Supervision
After the child is placed in your home, an adoption worker must make monthly visits in order to assess the child's adjustment and to determine whether new or additional services are needed. The supervision period ends when the counselor provides "Consents to Adopt" to your attorney.

9. Finalization
Usually a child lives with the adoptive family for six months before the adoption is finalized. At the end of this period, your attorney will schedule a hearing before a judge. The adoption will be legalized at the hearing and the child will officially become part of your family.

OCOC Partners

• 
• 
• 
• 
•