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Children available
for adoption are featured on Wednesday's Child, a collaboration of
Mississippi Department of Human Services and WLBT Television. For more
information about these children, please call (601) 359-4989.
Step
1 Contact...
The Adoption Hotline
Toll-Free at 1-800-821-9157 to obtain additional information
and an application.
Step
2 Application
Once your application has been received, it will
be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum requirements (such
as age, length of marriage, sufficient income). You may be placed
on a waiting list.
Step
3 Training Sessions
If we are able to proceed with your application,
you will be invited to attend a series of five weekly training sessions.
The sessions cover such topics as how children come into our custody;
how to explain adoption to a child; understanding the process of separation
and attachment; child development; and how to manage behavior.
Step 4 Home Study
You will be asked to participate in a series of
interviews with a social worker. These interviews allow you and your
social worker the opportunity to discuss practical as well as emotional
factors surrounding adoption.
The
home study helps you and your social worker determine if you and your
family are ready to adopt and what type child would best fit into your
family.
Step
5 Placement
Placement begins with short visits between
you and the child and are gradually extended to over night. When the
social worker, the child and you feel everyone is ready, arrangements
will be made for placement in your home.
Step 6 Post Placement
Once a child is placed in your home, your social
worker will visit several times to help you and your child with the
adjustment process. These visits will continue for at least
six months until we can recommend the adoption be finalized by the court.
You may choose any attorney you wish to represent you during the adoption
proceedings in court.
ADOPTION ASSISTANCE
Applicants who adopt children with special needs are eligible to receive financial assistance until the child comes of age. A special needs child is defined as:
- any child six years of age or older
- siblings groups of two or more
- children with emotional, mental or physical needs
- children with chronic medical conditions.
COST
The
Mississippi Department of Human Services does not charge any fees for
its adoption services. However, when it is time to finalize the adoption,
you are expected to pay attorney fees, only if the child does not receive
Adoption Assistance.
Who
can Adopt ...
Requirements
for Adopting
- Single
Persons
- Married
Couples who have been married at least two years
- Applicants
who are at least 21 years of age
- Families
and Individuals whose income and insurance are sufficient to meet
the additional needs of an adopted child
- Individuals who meet accepted emotional, intellectual and psychological standards to be good parents.
Top
If you
meet all of the above requirements,
you may print a copy of the Adoptive Parent Application.
It is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) only. Viewing
the PDF files require Adobe
Acrobat Reader. To download the free Adobe Acrobat
Reader, click here Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adoptive
Parent Application -
Available in PDF
format.
Who
are the Children Waiting for Adoption?
All of the children available for adoption through the Department of Human Services have one thing in common: Their biological parents are no longer able to care for them.
We have very few infants or toddlers available for adoption. Most of our children are six years of age or older. Many have brothers and sisters who are also available for adoption. Some children have emotional, mental or physical needs. Others have chronic medical conditions. All need loving parents who can accpet them as they are.
Top
For
information on how to adopt any of these children, please contact
the Adoption Hotline at 1-800-821-9157.
The
Mississippi Department of Human Services does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap.
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