|
Adopting a child
Adoption assistance program
Instituted through Public Law 96-272 in 1980 to remove financial barriers to adoption and to ensure that families who adopt waiting children have the necessary services and financial resources to meet their children's ongoing needs. Although this is a federally funded program, individual states determine which children qualify. The subsidies, and their amounts, are decided on a case-by-case basis and the needs of the child.
For more information, refer to Adoption Assistance Handbook.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Why Adoption?
The family is the best place for a child to grow. But some children are abused and neglected in their own families. Every year, many children in Oregon are left without a permanent home. They are children whose birth parents couldn't take care of them. They need parents-families of their own.
Adoption is the way to give children the kind of security they need. Adoption gives the new parents the same legal rights and responsibilities as birth parents. Adoption helps the child feel "I belong."
Top
Q. Who are the children needing adoptive homes?
Most of the children needing homes are school aged, 5 to 14 years old, who need family where they can do the rest of their growing up. Many are brothers and sisters needing a family where they can grow up together.
CAF is a "Special Needs" Adoption Agency. The term "Special Needs" refers to:
- children over the age of 5 years
- children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities
- minority children
- children who are siblings
Seldom are there healthy infants or young children needing placement. Families wishing to adopt a healthy newborn infant or toddler are encouraged to contact one of Oregon's licensed private adoption agencies.
Minority families are always needed as CAF strives to help children grow with a strong sense of racial and cultural identity.
Children needing adoptive homes look like other children and come in all shapes and sizes. They have a wide range of abilities and personalities. Most, however, have been hurt in ways one cannot see. They have lost their parents after serious abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Sometimes the birthparents decided they could not take care of their children.
Most of the children have been in foster homes. Some have moved from home to home. Social workers and loving foster parents have helped them through their hard times, but foster care is temporary.
The courts have determined that these children cannot return to their birth families or, in some cases, the parents have decided to place them for adoption. CAF has been given responsibility for finding these children safe, nurturing adoptive homes.
Top
Q. What kind of parents do these children need?
All kinds of parents are needed. Most of all, waiting children need parents who can love a growing child not born to them. They need parents who can help them heal and learn to trust again. They need parents who can wait for love to be returned.
Adoptive parents need to be self-confident, but not afraid to ask for help when needed. Patience and a sense of humor are essential.
The rewards may be slow in coming. It takes time to build a child's trust and create a sense of belonging.
Top
Q. Who can adopt?
Adoptive parents are as varied as the children needing homes. No two families look alike. Successful adoptive families are caring people who are ready to make a commitment to a child or children.
Potential adoptive families have the following characteristics:
- Are single, married, or divorced and of any age and income.
- Own or rent their place of residence.
- Can work with social workers and/or therapists and support people.
- Are able to provide safety.
- Have not been convicted of a violent crime or a crime against a child.
- Are flexible, energetic, and able to care for a child.
- Work inside or outside their home or are retired.
- Are open to learning new things.
- Can talk with adoption workers about themselves and their families.
Top
Q. How do I adopt?
Call your local branch of the Children, Adults and Families (CAF) or the special needs Adoption Coalition and ask to talk with an adoption worker. Your initial questions will be answered. In some counties classes are available to help you decide if adoption is right for you and to prepare you for the challenges ahead.
CAF does not charge a fee to adopt. Some families adopting special needs children qualify for Adoption assistance-a small sum of money to help with monthly expenses, medical needs, and fees connected with the adoption. CAF does not want finances to stand in the way of a child or children finding a permanent home.
An adoption worker will be there to help from the beginning until the adoption is legally finalized. Once the court grants an adoption, a new birth certificate is issued and the child (or children) becomes, in the eyes of the law, part of your family.
Top
Q. Who do I contact for more information about adopting a child?
Inquiries for Adoption and Foster Care of children in the care of the Department of Human Servcies call 1-800 331-0503 or contact the Special Needs Adoption Coalition at 1-800-342-6688.
Waiting children
Northwest Adoption Exchange
At this web site you can view pictures and profiles of Oregon children waiting for adoption.
Back to top
|
