Process Steps Page 2 of 2

Step 3: Waiting / Search and Referral Phase

Upon completion of your homestudy and foster care licensing (if pertinent), you are now ready to accept a child into your home. We call this the “waiting/search/referral” stage of your adoption. This period can last from two months to two years depending on your selected program. The search and referral stage is the most difficult of the entire process. All the paperwork, visits and classes have been completed, therefore you have taken care of most of the agency process until referral. This time period can be very difficult for families, as often the agency cannot give you a clear idea about when you will get a referral. This varies from program to program, but for some programs, you must exercise patience; and Adoption Horizons cannot guarantee the placement of any child. A family must understand there are many factors that are outside of our control when processing an adoption.

The waiting/search/referral stage is very important because it gives you time to prepare for receiving the child.

Once you have been offered a child, the following happens:
1. You receive a picture or video of the child and available background information
2. You meet the birthmother during her pregnancy (Infant Placement Program)
3. Meet with the agency to discuss your referral
4. You sign a post-placement contract and pay the fee ($1,000 - $3,500)
5. You prepare for travel or travel multiple times to meet the child
6. You work with your social worker to prepare for the child’s homecoming

Step 4: Post Placement / Legal Adoption Phase

Once your child is placed, you will initiate the legal process to either adopt or re-adopt in California. Families often lose interest in completing the necessary paperwork as they now have a new little person who is occupying their time and space. Many families find it particularly difficult to complete the paperwork once the child arrives. We have a finalization clerk who will maintain contact with you to assure that this final leg of the adoption process gets completed in a timely manner. You will be asked to turn over key documents, as well as attend monthly Post Placement meetings.

Also during this time, you will be busy doing the following:
1. Settling your child into your home
2. Introducing your child to friends and relatives
3. Attending and receiving monthly guidance and support from your adoption social worker
4. Working on adjustment issues or attending counseling sessions
5. Completing the court documents for adoption
6. Attending a court appointment to make your adoption final