Process Steps Page 1 of 2

Step 1: Inquiry Phase

You begin the adoption process with Adoption Horizons by making an inquiry contact by phone. During this brief interview, you will provide us with basic information that will help us share some important facts about adoption and our agency. After this contact, you will receive an information pamphlet about our agency and other adoption materials.

Next, you are invited to attend our Meet-the-Agency Night, which is held on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at our office. At this meeting, you will learn the history of Adoption Horizons, the role of the governing Board of Directors, and state licensing features. In addition, you will be given an overview of the adoption process, expenses and how the homestudy process works. Often, a Board member, social work staff member and an adoptive parent will also attend.

You are then invited to a free consultation meeting with a program director to discuss specific program guidelines and review qualifying information. This appointment takes 1 to 1½ hours and requires both potential applicants (if married) to be present. At the end of the consultation—and an adoption appears feasible—you will receive an Adoption Horizons Application Packet. (Cost: $75.00)

A motivated family can easily complete this part of the adoption process in one to four weeks.

Step 2: Application & Approval Phase

Adoption Horizons works with about twenty new clients and five birthmothers a year and accepts clients all-year-round for all programs. Applicants may begin the adoption process as soon as their application has been reviewed and accepted and they have contracted for services.

When an application has been accepted, the applicant is then invited to “Contract for Adoption Services” which takes 1 to 1½ hours. During this meeting, the family will be asked to sign various contracts, and will be given an orientation to their “Contract Binder” which contains all the materials needed from the start through the finalization of their adoption. The homestudy and program fees are due at this time. ($3,500 - $4,500)

Now a family’s journey to adopt their child begins. Shortly after contracting, the family’s preliminary information will be forwarded to their assigned social worker who will make contact with them to set up their homestudy appointments and home visit.

Over the next three months, the family will be asked to do the following:
1. Meet and talk by phone to other experienced adoptive families
2. Collect and complete all documents necessary for the homestudy
3. Make a final program selection
4. Attend all homestudy meetings and start to prepare their program’s dossier or presentation packet
5. Complete the foster care license application (Fost Adopt)
6. Attend adoption education classes
7. Attend Meet-the-Agency Night & While-U-Wait Meetings

A motivated family can complete this process in 90 days.