» The State Adoption Process

Click on the state below for details about the process of adoption.

• Georgia Adoption Process
• Mississippi Adoption Process
• Tennessee Adoption Process

» Georgia: The Adoption Process

     

Website link: Click Here
Wednesday’s Child link: www.wednesdayschildga.com/

Requirements for Adopting

• Single and must be at least 25 years old and at least 10 years older than the child you wish to adopt.
• Married couples must be at least 10 years older than the child they wish to adopt.
• A family only needs to make enough money to cover their own living expenses.
  

Step 1: Inquiry
You can begin the adoption process by making initial contact with DHR by phone. After answering some basic questions, you will be scheduled for an individual or group inquiry interview with an adoption case manager. Call 1-877-210-KIDS to complete this step.

Step 2: The Orientation
Step two involves attending a meeting to learn fundamental information about the adoption process and the requirements for adopting through DHR.

You will also get a chance to see pictures of the children currently available in Georgia. After the orientation, we ask that you take some time to carefully consider the information provided before moving to the next step.

Step 3:(I)Initial Interest, (M) Mutual selection, (P) Pre-service training,(A) Assessment, (C) Continuing develoment, (T) Teamwork (IMPACT)
When you are ready to move forward with the adoption process, this step requires you to attend the adoption preparation program offered through your County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). You may also attend a comparable adoption preparation program offered through a private licensed adoption agency under contract with DHR. The DFCS adoption preparation program, called IMPACT, consists of 20 classroom hours of training.

Participants include those interested in adoption through the DHR, as well as those interested in foster parenting. The classes offer an opportunity for you to learn about a variety of topics related to the adoption experience, including:

• Information about the children
• The possible impact of adoption on your family
• Behavior management techniques
• The agency’s role and more

During this time, a case manager will meet individually with your family to complete the assessment process and to create your Family Evaluation. This evaluation includes visits to your home, gathering of information (such as medical reports, criminal records check, financial statement, etc.), and discussions about your views on adopting.

Step 4: Family Evaluation
You may proceed to step four upon completion of an adoption preparation program and the assessment process. Upon reaching this step, your Family Evaluation will be forwarded to the Adoption Exchange. Your family will then be considered a resource for a waiting child.

Step 5: Pre-Placement
The time between qualifying for a child and placement of a child in your home varies from family to family, although identifying a child may shorten your waiting period. During the interim, you can periodically review the Photolisting and you will also have the opportunity to attend adoption galas and matching meetings. Information about support groups in your area is available through your case manager.

Step 6: Placement
During this step, you may identify a child, or a Georgia county with a child available for adoption may select your family for consideration. If all agree that your family is a possible resource, then you will have the opportunity to review detailed information about the child.

If you and the case manager decide to move forward, a meeting will be held to share additional information, answer questions and schedule pre-placement visits.

After a series of visits, you will sign a placement agreement and the child will join your family. The agency will help you apply for Adoption Assistance at this time if the child is in the category of Special Needs, as defined for the purpose of adoption. During the time before the adoption is finalized, your case manager will visit with you and the child to offer support as you begin your new life together.

Step 7: Finalization
While your child may live with you and become part of your family, you must make the child legally your own through the court system. Upon receiving a release from DHR, your attorney will file the adoption petition.

A hearing will be held by the Superior Court Judge in your county to finalize the adoption. The cost should be nominal and may be reimbursable for children with Special Needs. When you become the legal parent, visits are no longer required, but the agency is always a resource for you.

* Georgia residents contact

• For General Information on how to become a foster/adopt or adoptive parent call 1-877-210-KIDS
• To express interest in a particular My Turn Now Child call 1-800-603-1322 or complete the My Turn Now Contact Page

* Non-Georgia residents contact

• 1-800-603-1322 or the My Turn Now Contact Page

* The Adoption Program in Georgia is administered by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Office of Adoptions. For questions regarding policy, law, or program issues contact the Office of Adoptions at 404-657-3550 or email adoption@dhr.state.ga.us. Written correspondence should be addressed to Office of Adoptions, Two Peachtree NW, Suite 8-400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142.

» Mississippi: The Adoption Process

Website link: www.mdhs.state.ms.us/fcs_adoptall.html

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.

Step 1 Contact...
The Mississippi Adoption Resource Exchange 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.

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.

» Tennessee: The Adoption Process

Website link: www.state.tn.us/youth/adoption/index.htm
Monday’s’ Child Link: wbir.com/mondayschild/default.aspx

Requirements for Adopting

• can be married, single or divorced
• may or may not have other children
• can own your own home or rent
• can work full time
• must be at least 18
• must be a resident of the State of Tennessee
• must be able to meet the financial and emotional needs of your own family

Should you decide to apply to become an adoptive parent(s) through the Department of Children's Services, you will need to complete a parent preparation process called "PATH" (Parents as Tender Healers). PATH is a 30 hour education/self assessment process to become loss and grief experts, to explore communication styles and identify family strengths. It is through this process that the family learns about the children who await adoptive placement and helps the family identify the child they feel they can most successfully parent. In order to adopt, it is necessary to have a home study from a licensed child placing agency. The exact process will be outlined by the agency you choose.

In general, the home study process is a combination of education for you about the realities of special needs adoption and information about yourself and your family which you will share with your adoption counselor. The final written home study will include a description of your family, verifications, medical and financial statements, and references. You will also be asked to identify and describe the type of child you feel that you can most successfully parent.

Final decisions about placement of a child are made by the child's social worker after sharing extensive information with you and your social worker. Children are placed with the family best able to meet their needs. If you want to be considered for a particular child, you may ask your social worker to submit your home study for consideration, or call the child's worker for more information.

If you are interested in becoming an adoptive parent, contact your local Children's Services Office for more information.