Adoption agencies strive to keep siblings together.
The State of Texas adoption program follows state and federal statues. These statutes deal with issues related to who can adopt, the children available for adoption, funding and subsidies related to adoption, and the approval requirements. The public adoption offices in Texas provide informational meetings for prospective adoptive families so that they can decide if public adoption is appropriate for their family.The agency places children, based on what is considered the best interest of the child, in suitable homes, which they feel can meet child specific needs.
Requirements
There are several steps or requirements, which prospective adoptive parents must meet for consideration and approval. You must be at least 21, responsible and financially independent. The agency will look at your overall income and expenses, spending habits, assets and debts when assessing your financial status. You will need to have a health assessment by your physician, who must be willing to verify your medical condition. Texas requires you to be emotionally, mentally and physically healthy.
Training
Informal training provide parenting tools for adoptive parents.
Another step in the approval process for adoptive parents is training. The state of Texas require all prospective adoptive parents to attend training. Issues addressed in training are legal issues, adoption subsidies, behavior modification, communication, the agency's policies regarding corporal punishment, basic parenting skills, parenting children with special needs, as well as, birth parent issues and visitation. The trainings may include interactive activities to help prospective families understand the impact of loss and grief on children who are adopted.
Home Visits
During the adoptive home assessment, you may be required to discuss uncomfortable topics.
The person completing the home assessment is a trained state-approved worker, who must write the assessment in accordance with the adoption statutes of Texas. You can expect a worker to visit your home at least twice; however, in most cases you will have two or more visits, in addition to several telephone call contacts. The purpose of the visit is to gather the information needed to write the home study. It is the worker's job to accurately describe and present detailed information about the family. The information presented in the home study helps the agency select the most appropriate family.
Adoptive Home Assessment
Safety issues are addressed during the adoptive home assessment.
The adoptive home assessment, referred to as the home study, covers a variety of issues, as mandated by Texas adoption laws. The home study must address safety issues, community resources, criminal records check, lifestyle, education, parenting skills and family background. Fire and DHEC inspections, as well as pet immunization reports, are also included in the home study. At the time of a finalization hearing, the home study and other legal documents, are included in the adoption packet present at court.
Selection
Once you meet all of the requirements, and qualify as an appropriate adoptive resource family, you are ready for consideration for placement of children. Although there are many children available for adoption, your wait period depends on the type child you feel you can parent and the type children who are available. In other words, if you are interested in a healthy Caucasian infant, your wait period before placement may be longer than a family who is interested in adopting a sibling group of three or more or a child over the age of six. During the waiting period, you will remain in contact with a worker, who is required to update your file quarterly. When a child is matched with your family, a selection committee will review your file, along with other families. If you are selected for the child, the agency will contact you to do a formal presentation of the child's background summary. If you accept the placement, depending on the age of the child, pre-placement visitation takes place.
Tags: home study, adoptive parents, home assessment, children available, prospective adoptive