Beginner’s Guide to
Low-Cost
Adoptions
John and Emma Armeau
Smashwords Edition
Cover Design by: Miss Mae
Copyright 2011 John Armeau
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
“Every Child deserves a permanent home and a loving family.”
~Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy’s and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
There are over 100,000 children in the United States available and longing for adoption. You do not need a large home. You do not have to pay anything.
There are few joys in this world that compare to a child hugging you, displaying total and unconditional love. My wife and I have five children, ages 38, 37, 18, 9, and 8. The two oldest children were abandoned and placed in our care by their natural mother. We adopted the three younger children through the U.S. foster care system when they were infants, at no cost to us.
Here are a few valuable lessons we learned:
•You do not have to be rich or famous to adopt.
•There are thousands upon thousands of children in the U.S. waiting to be adopted, at zero cost to you.
•Public adoption classes are generally painless and scheduled on weekends or after work hours. You can complete most of the adoption paperwork during these classes.
•States take exceptional steps to protect the rights of children and the natural parents, lengthening the overall adoption process. The result, however, is a solid legal foundation for the adoption.
•There is no guarantee that any child, whether your natural child or adopted child will be perfectly healthy, well-mannered, brilliant, thoughtful, sharing, and loving. This will largely depend on you.
•The maximum adoption credit for U.S. taxpayers to $13,360 per adopted child. If the child has special needs, the credit may be allowed even if you do not have any qualified expenses.
•If you pursue a more expensive private adoption that exceeds the adoption credit, there are grants, subsidies, and loans available to help cover additional adoption expenses.
Good Luck! Over one hundred thousand kids in the U.S. and hundreds of millions of children across the world are waiting for loving parents, right now. Stop delaying, start reading.
This book is dedicated to our awesome kids, divine gifts, all
Sincerely,
John and Emma Armeau
Chapter 4: Credits, Subsidies And Reimbursements
Chapter 8: Searching For A Child
Chapter 9: Preparing For A Child
Chapter 10: Finalizing The Adoption
The first step of the adoption process does not require paperwork, money, or legal assistance. It involves asking and answering, a series of tough questions, that will help you refine your adoption goals. The completion of this step will save you countless hours later in the process and ensure that you search for a child that is a great fit for your family.
Now, sit down with your spouse, partner, or other family members, and hold a frank, open discussion, and try to answer questions such as: What are your adoption goals? Is there a void in your life that is driving you toward adoption? Do you have the patience, time and love for adopting a child? What age of child would you prefer? If you already have kids, what age would they prefer? Would you rather have a boy or a girl? Would you consider adopting more than one child?
Personal Note: We were excited when our adoption worker in California notified us that a young child was available for us to pick up. We wondered if the child was a boy or girl. We had originally sought to adopt a male infant, but in reality, there was a child that needed us, and our preferences faded away.
What nationality or ethnicity of children would you consider? This is a very tough question that requires a sincere answer. There are children of all races and ethnic backgrounds available for adoption. The more open-minded you are, the greater the chance of a quick adoption.
If there are siblings, would you take in more than one child? There are thousands of children immediately available for adoption in the public and private systems with adoptable siblings. In most cases, the adoption worker will want to keep the children together.
How long are you willing to wait? What is your budget? The amount of time and money you are willing to spend will impact your decision as to what type of agency will best meet your needs. Later in this guide is an overview of the costs of public and private adoptions.
Personal Note: While serving in the U.S. Army in California, my wife and I saw an advertisement on television about children in the U.S. who were waiting to be adopted. My wife expressed her desire to adopt since our two older children were getting married and leaving the household. We felt willing and capable of adopting. Although the majority of the children in the public foster care system were over the age of three, we decided to be patient and pursue adopting a young infant. We only had two years left on the military assignment in California, so our goal was to complete the adoption within that time. We were not rich, and definitely not famous. We were willing to take in a child with mild problems, but were not ready to assume the responsibility of caring for a severely handicapped child. This was a tough decision to make, but part of a realistic self-assessment. This set us on the path leading to three successful adoptions.
After your self-evaluation, you should have an idea of what type of child you would like to adopt. DO NOT ALLOW social workers (who are often overworked, underpaid, and generally not public affairs experts) tell you that children of certain ages or certain ethnic backgrounds are NOT available, when they are. There are regional and nationwide government databases which social workers can use to search outside their county and state. If you run into a grumpy social worker, cordially ask for their supervisor. Try not to make any enemies, since you may need their assistance later in the adoption process.
As an indicator of the thousands of kids in the United States waiting for adoptive parents, please look at Michigan’s adoption website. This is the one of the best state-run adoption websites in the country. The photos are kids available for immediate adoption, after completion of the home study. Please adhere to the website’s terms and conditions, designed for the AdoptUsKids.com website, but applicable to all adoption websites. Please consider the privacy and respect due all adoptable children when visiting any adoption website.
Michigan’s adoption photolisting is at: http://www.mare.org/ For more photos, an entire chapter of this guide is dedicated to photos, listed by state, focusing on children in the U.S. social system who can be adopted for free or at a very low cost. There are also links to international adoption websites as well.
After determining your adoption goals, investigate both public and private adoptions. First, call your county’s social services or child welfare office, and ask to talk to an adoption counselor. It may take a few calls to get to the right person. This will be your first test of will, after all, it is the government. Tell them that you are considering adoption and gathering general information. They will probably answer your basic questions and recommend that you attend the next local adoption seminar. Be cordial to the person on the phone, but always keep in mind you are not restricted to adopting from your county, state, or nation. If the social worker cannot provide you the required information, ask for a supervisor or call a neighboring county.
The demographics of children available for adoption will vary greatly by county and city. Highly populated areas will often offer greater diversity than rural areas. Some counties and states offer significantly more financial and educational benefits for adopted children than other locations. Certain states, such as Texas, offer free college education for adopted children, while others do not.
For private adoptions, whether domestic or international, check the phone book, or go online. Adoption agencies will most likely send you information packets upon request. Don’t be shy, be direct. Tell them what type of child you would prefer to adopt. Ask about the average cost and expected wait time. Inquire specifically about the cost of the mandatory home study, and any other associated expenses.
As you gather information, you will develop a feeling whether a public adoption or private adoption is probably best suited to achieve your goals. While you are waiting for the information packets, seek more information about local public and private adoption agencies. Do your homework. As a first step, compare public versus private adoptions.
Public Adoptions
One of the best sources of data on public adoptions is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The following series of charts is derived from this department’s Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data, for federal fiscal year 2009 (FY 2009), from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009.
Married and Single Parents
You can adopt from the public system whether you are married, living together as a couple, or single. In FY 2009, children in the public system were adopted by married, unmarried and single parents.
Married Couples66%36,133
Unmarried Couples2%1,299
Single Females28%15,408
Single Males3%1,567
Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of single parent adoptions, especially adoptions of special needs kids.
Relatives vs Non-Relatives
The following table shows the relationship of adoptive parents to the child. A key take-away is that foster parents, who often cared for the child in their home pending adoption, (and are not related to the child) have a huge advantage when adopting. They are often given first choice of adopting the child already in their home, when the parental rights are terminated. See the annex on foster care later in this guide.
Non-Relative14%7,637
Foster Parent54%29,417
Stepparent0%120
Other Relative32%17,300
Racial/Ethnic Distribution
The next table reveals the racial/ethnic distribution of waiting children. “Waiting children” are children who have a goal of adoption and whose parental rights have already been terminated. In other words, they are ready and waiting for adoptive parents.
Personal Note: In Washington DC area and Northern Virginia we were foster parents for Black and Hispanic children. In Monterey, California we took care of White and Hispanic children. In San Antonio, Texas we cared for Hispanic children. We eventually adopted three Hispanic children, one from California and two from Texas. My wife is Hispanic and I am French. The race and skin color of the adoptive parents are generally irrelevant to the children who simply crave a loving home.
Alaska Native/American Indian2%923
Asian<1%280
Black25%14,211
Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander<1%120
Hispanic (of any race)21%11,878
White44%25,418
Unknown2%874
Two or more races7%3,754
Age of the Children
Personal note: My wife and I adopted three children (one in California and two in Texas) all of whom we picked up when they were less than one year old. They were from the public foster care system and we adopted them upon termination of the rights of the natural parents. We assisted other couples in obtaining children, less than one year after they began the adoption process. Yes, we were told the standard line by social workers, that the chance of adopting infants was low, but we pursued our goal. We worked closely with our social worker, who understood what type of child we were looking for and the degree of risk we were willing to accept.
The following table shows the age of the children when they were removed from their parents or caretakers. Note that 1/3 of the children were one year old or less, and over half were 4 years old or younger.
Mean Age5.0
Median Age4.1
Less than 1 Year25%28,315
1 Year9%10,092
2 Years8%8,800
3 Years7%7,998
4 Years7%7,686
5 Years7%7,404
6 Years6%7,150
7 Years6%6,578
8 Years5%6,177
9 Years5%5,343
10 Years4%4,718
11 Years3%3,954
12 Years3%3,304
13 Years3%2,545
14 Years2%1,792
15 Years1%1,037
16 Years<2%450
17 Years<1%89
The next table shows how old the children were when adopted.
Mean Age6.3
Median Age5.2
Less than 1 Year2%1,136
1 Year11%6,486
2 Years15%8,366
3 Years11%6,543
4 Years9%5,270
5 Years8%4,505
6 Years7%3,904
7 Years6%3,478
8 Years5%3,096
9 Years5%2,642
10 Years4%2,418
11 Years4%2,042
12 Years3%1,812
13 Years3%1,523
14 Years2%1,308
15 Years2%1,091
16 Years2%911
17 Years1%725
The above table indicates 48% of the children in the public system were 4 years of age or less when adopted. The previous chart showed the ages of children when they entered the public system. There is a gap of about a year between when they entered the system and were adopted. The gap is due to state and county court efforts to reunify children with their natural parents or other relatives before severing legal rights. Natural parents are given time to take corrective action for whatever the problem that caused their kids to be placed in the public system. For example, if a mother is on drugs, she may be given time to seek treatment, get a job and demonstrate her ability to care for her child. This however may prove to be a significant challenge if the parent has “bad” habits and not fully dedicated to change, and may not demonstrate any improvement. If the natural parents do not get their act together in time, the states will move to sever their rights.
Recent legislation pressures courts to take action as expeditiously as possible, while considering the best interests of the children. This laborious legal process seems slow, but it ensures a sound, legal adoption.
You may have heard stories about parents going to court for their children years after relinquishment. Ask your adoption worker if they have ever heard of anyone in your state losing an adopted child to a natural parent whose rights were severed after due process in the state’s legal system.
Gender of the Children
In FY 2009, 57,466 children in the U.S. were adopted with public agency involvement.
The distribution between male and female adopted children was almost equal.
Male51%27,718
Female49%27,282
Number of Available Children
There are over 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system available for immediate adoption, with their natural parent’s rights legally terminated. They need adoptive parents, now. There are an additional 300,000 plus children in the foster care system that may become adoptable, and they need foster parents, now, and may need adoptive parents in the near future. Some of these children are waiting to be reunified with their natural parents or relatives, while others are waiting for their natural parent’s rights to be terminated so they can become part of a new, permanent family. Persons interested in only adoption have access to the 100,000 children. Persons willing to be foster care-adopt (fost-adopt) parents have access to over 400,000 children.
If you are searching for a particular type of child, particularly an infant, clearly the fost-adopt program provides access to a wider range of potentially adoptable children. Fost-adopt provides you the opportunity to care for a child when they are first entering the system. Fost-adopt parents also have a tremendous advantage when adopting since they are often given first choice of adopting the child they are taking care of, upon termination of parental rights.
An untold secret, that the states do not want you to know, is that if you feel trapped and the foster care child is not bonding with you or your family, you can notify social services and they will find another home for the child, before the adoption takes place.
The key disadvantage of being a fost-adopt parent is the inherent risk. If the parental rights have not been severed, the child’s parents or family members could surface at the last moment and seek adoption or reunification. It is the adoption worker’s job to help mitigate your risks, and match your family with the appropriate adoptive child or children. If you want to greatly increase the probability of adopting the child you are caring for, inform your case worker early in the process that you are only interested in providing foster care for children that are extremely likely to be adoptable. This will lower the risk to you, but also decrease the number of children available to you. Remember, until any adoption is final, there is always a chance something may not work out. God works in mysterious ways, so sometimes a foster child may unexpectedly leave your care, but another child may join your family.
Personal Note: As stated previously in this guide, we were surprised when our foster child’s father was released from jail and allowed by the judge to reunite with his child. The father had met the conditions of reunification and wanted his young son. It was a sad moment for us, but we knew we had provided the child some good memories and instilled good habits. A short time later, we were called by social services about an infant boy who needed our care. This child became our adorable, irreplaceable son. Less than a year later we were called and told that this boy had a sister who was also in foster care. She became our lovely daughter.
Even if you ultimately do not adopt your foster child, you are helping a child, who needs a loving family and a safe home environment. Foster parents are also paid monthly, with subsidy amounts that vary by state. Medical and dental care are also provided by the state. Regardless of the financial compensation, you need to do this to help children, filling your heart, not your bank account. You will be providing 24 x 7 x 365 care. You will be changing lives. Many foster families have some foster children at home as well as adopted children and their natural children.
The paperwork and requirements for becoming a fost-adopt parent are essentially the same as for adoption. After you complete your adoption classes, paperwork, and home study, you could be approved as adoptive parents, foster parents or fost-adopt parents. Adoptions from foster care are usually arranged through state agencies, although in some cases private agencies are contracted to assist in finding permanent families. These adoptions are funded by the government and thus have little or no cost.
If the public system is not for you, and you want to spend money to reduce risk and enhance your chance of obtaining an infant, then you should investigate private adoptions. The intent of this guide is to inform you that there are hundreds of thousands of children waiting for loving parents. The agency you select should be the one that best suits your needs.
Private Adoptions (U.S. and International)
Private adoptions are done through non-governmental adoption agencies and independent connections. Adoption agencies often specialize in particular types of adoption such as infants or children from a particular region (i.e. Far East). An example of an independent adoption is where a couple runs an advertisement in the newspaper or on the internet stating they are looking for a child to adopt. A mother responds to the ad, and works out a plan of action, whereby she relinquishes the child.
The states regulate adoptions, whether through an agency or conducted independently. You cannot legally sell your baby, nor buy a baby. You can however pay medical costs for an expectant mother and adopt her child, but you still need to be aware of the legalities, and potential risks.
Accurate statistics on private adoptions are rare, because there is not a central clearinghouse for data on private adoptions, whether domestic or international. The Child Welfare Information Gateway, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publishes statistics that encompass private adoptions. According to their August 2004 report, “How Many Children Were Adopted in 2000 and 2001?, “It is not possible to obtain totals from private adoption agencies, as most private adoption agencies do not report data on the number of children adopted through their agencies or the characteristics of the children, their adoptive parents, and their birth parents. The various bureaus of vital records (or vital statistics) are also potential sources of adoption information because adoptive families often request new birth certificates, however, sometimes for an older child a family does not request a new birth certificate.”
The U.S. State Department’s Office of Children’s Issues and the Office of Immigration Statistics within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provide information on the number of children issued immigrant orphan visas in order to come to the United States for purposes of adoption. Some of these adoptive families re-adopt in the United States, even if the adoption from a foreign country is recognized by their state, as an added protection of the adopted child’s legal status.
Number of Available Children
One of the best sources of information on international adoptions is the Child Welfare League of America, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Their website provides a National Data Analysis System issue brief, “International Adoption: Trends and Issues”, that mentions in the year 2005 there were over 109 million children with no available caregivers. Children are without caregivers for a variety of reasons, including the death of both parents, abandonment, or extreme poverty.” The children came from: Asia - 62 million; Africa - 39 million; Latin America and the Caribbean - 8 million. The total of 109 million is an incomplete figure, lacking data from several continents.
According to statistics published by the U.S. State Department’s Office of Children’s Issues, the number of international children adopted annually by Americans over the past ten years, ranged from 12,700 to 22,900. The following chart indicates a recent downward trend, partly due to new adoption policies by China, Russia and other countries. The following statistics correspond to U.S. Government fiscal years.
Fluctuations in the number of international adoptions are often caused by changes in adoption policies. While revising it’s adoption policy, Romania issued a moratorium on international adoptions, causing a decrease from 782 to 58 adoptions between 2001 and 2004. In 2007, China implemented regulations that made intercountry adoptions more difficult. In April 2010, the adoption of Russian children was disrupted when a 7-year old Russian boy, adopted by an American, was returned to Russia. Whether the child’s return was justifiable or not, it disrupted the Russia-U.S. adoption process, and generated international debate on the return of adopted children.
Personal Note: One of the unadvertised advantages of being a foster care parent is you have the opportunity to “return” a prospective adoptive child back into the public system before you adopt the child, if that child clearly is not bonding with your family. This is not advertised, highly discouraged, and only done as a last resort, since it is tough on the foster family, care workers, and the rejected child.
Countries across the globe are also moving to combat child trafficking. The “Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption”, a multi-lateral treaty, was passed in 1993. The purpose of the convention is to protect children, birth parents, and adoptive parents; and to prevent child trafficking. 66 nations approved the treaty. In October 2000, the U.S. additionally passed the Intercountry Adoption Act (IAA) , which named the U.S. State Department as the “Central Authority” for the act, to enforce laws relevant to international adoptions, and now accredits adoption agencies. The IAA also requires that adoptive parents receive counseling before and after the adoption process. If a child has parents, they must be incapable of providing proper care and their relationship to their child must be terminated. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) must determine that the purpose of the adoption is for a parent-child relationship.
Age of the Children Adopted Privately by Americans
The Adoption Institute is one of the few compilers of adoption data. According to the institute’s “Foster Care Data for Fiscal Year 1998”, published in June 2001, the age of children adopted privately by Americans, was approximately:
Under 1 year old 46%
1-4 years old 43%
5-9 years old 8%
Over 9 years old 3%
This data indicates that there were more children adopted via private adoptions that were less than one year old, than public adoptions. Private adoptions include voluntary relinquishments by birth parents, both domestically and internationally, which shortens the adoption process but may cost much more.
Personal Note: If you want a child directly from the hospital at birth, or a child under the age of one, and can afford the more expensive private adoption, then this is a viable alternative.
Whether a private or public adoption, domestic or international, you must be prepared emotionally. Birth mothers change their minds. Relatives may come forward at the last moment. Legal issues may emerge. Until the adoption is final, it simply is not final. On a positive note, your determination will pay off. It is generally not a question of if you can adopt, it is more a question of how long will it take.
Gender and Age of International Children Adopted by Americans
The Child Welfare Information Gateway website provides data and links with additional information on private adoptions. According to their data, in FY 2008 there were 17,229 international adoptions of orphans. Of these, there were more females than males adopted. In some cultures, as in China, male babies are socially more desirable than females, due to the “one child” policy and their earning/labor potential. In 2005, 7,939 children were adopted from China of which 7,545 (95%) were girls.
If you are considering an international adoption, gather information on the adoption policies, prices, and waiting lists for Guatemala, China, Russia, Ethiopia, Korea, and Vietnam. Use these countries as a starting point, but other nations including Ukraine, Haiti, Colombia, Kazakhstan, India, Philippines, Taiwan may be viable alternatives. If you want to adopt a baby that is less than one year old, you may want to investigate Guatemala and Korea adoptions. There are also regional differences in the ages of adopted children. Children are adopted at younger ages from Asia, North America, and South America, while adopted at older ages from Europe, Africa, and South America. As part of your ongoing self-evaluation, you need to determine which countries would be highest on your preference list based on your adoption needs.
The U.S. State Department website shows that in 2010, the top five foreign countries for intercountry adoptions by U.S. citizens were:
1.China
2.Ethiopia
3.Russia
4.South Korea
5.Ukraine
Gender makes a difference in international adoptions. An earlier chart showed an almost equal distribution of male and female children adopted in the U.S. in FY 2008. U.S. State Department statistics reveal considerably more females are adopted than males, internationally. Why? In part, adoptions from China, Guatemala, and India skewed the ratios. Also, China has a one-child policy, where boys are looked upon more favorably than girls.
In FY 2009, the U.S. State Department issued visas for international adoptions in the following countries:
Africa total: 2,768. Led by Ethiopia - 2,277
Asia total: 5,607. Led by China - 3,001; South Korea - 1,077; and Vietnam – 481
Europe total: 2,695. Led by Russia - 1586; Ukraine - 610
North America total: 1,295. Led by Guatemala - 756; Haiti - 330
Oceana total: 33. Led by Marshall Islands - 22
South America total: 351. Led by Colombia – 238
For additional information on international adoptions, please go to website of the U.S. State Department Office of Children's issues (www.adoption.state.gov).
Adoptions conducted through the U.S. public system are much less than private adoptions, in fact, often free. The actual fees and reimbursements vary by state. The following is a breakdown of the costs of domestic and international adoptions.
Personal Note: My wife and I adopted three infants through the public foster care system (one from California, two from Texas). Other than a few small fees for miscellaneous expenses, the only significant cost we incurred was for the final, legal portion of the adoption. We paid the attorney and then were reimbursed 100% for the legal expenses by the state. The policies concerning fees and reimbursable expense vary by state. Many parents receive checks for foster or adopted children, until the children reach adulthood or complete college. They may also qualify for free medical care. Much of this depends on whether you adopt kids that are classified as high risk due to a pre-existing problem, or because they are siblings.
The U.S. government’s National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC) estimates the following costs for different types of adoptions:[1]
Type of Adoption Cost
Domestic - Foster Care$0 - $2,500
Domestic - Private Agency$4,000 - $30,000
Domestic – Independent$8,000 - $30,000
International – Agency or Independent$7,000 - $25,000
Adoption costs generally include: adoptive parent education, home study, post-placement supervision, attorney fees and court costs. The costs of private domestic (U.S.) adoptions may include: birth parent expenses, legal representation, and birth expenses. International adoptions may require dossier and immigration processing, foster care, escorting, and medical care. Additionally, plan on paying for transportation and accommodations when traveling to the country where the child resides.
The primary source for the following overview on adoption costs is Adoption.com; an excellent source of information on a wide variety of adoption topics. Much of their information on costs is derived from the Child Welfare Information Gateway, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://costs.adoption.com/articles/the-costs-of-adopting-a-factsheet-for-families,3.html
Personal Note: My wife and I have spoken with many couples who spent thousands of dollars on unsuccessful and successful overseas adoption efforts. Be prepared for undisclosed, last minute fees (bribes, transportation, customs, legal, etc….).
Domestic Adoptions
Adopting Children in U.S. Foster Care
Foster care adoption costs are generally low, ranging from $0 - $2,500. Fees vary by state and on the needs of the children and their siblings. If a child has special needs, such as physical or emotional, they are part of a sibling group, part of a minority group, they may likely have all expenses covered, plus receive a subsidy until adulthood. The states endeavor to keep costs at a minimum for adoptive parents. They want children to be adopted, and are not profit motivated. The states are aware that adopted children are much less long-term expense to the government than children who did not have adoptive parents and permanent homes. Home studies, counseling, and classes are generally all FREE. If you are a foster care-adopt parent, the state will PAY YOU monthly for taking care of your prospective child. The child will also receive free medical coverage pending the adoption, and if required, oftentimes after the adoption. Additional information on foster care – adopt and special needs children is included later in this guide.
Personal note. We did not pay any fees for the home studies done via the public system in California or Texas. The states paid us (as foster parents) for taking care of the kids pending adoption, and provided full medical coverage. They also reimbursed all adoption related legal expenses, and we received new birth certificates, listing our names as parents. One way to game the system is to get a home study done through the public system and then later use that for a private adoption. This is discouraged and should not be intentional, if the public system doesn’t work for you, could save you a few thousand dollars.
Domestic - Private Agency
The cost of domestic adoptions through private agencies varies considerably, according to the agency and circumstances. The total cost may include parental classes, the home study, birth parent counseling, adoptive parent preparation and training, and social work services involved in matching a child to a prospective family. Some agencies adjust fee scales based on family income, while some agencies offer reduced fees to adoptive parents who locate a birth parent on their own but need the agency for counseling, facilitation, home study, and supervision services. Make sure it is a licensed agency, not Billy Bob’s Adoptions.
Domestic - Independent
The costs of independent adoptions may include medical expenses for the birth mother, legal fees for adoptive and birth parents, and fees for advertising. Birth complications may warrant additional medical expenses. State laws govern costs, to include reimbursements to the birth mother. For more information on expenditure restrictions, we recommend that you consult the Child Welfare Information Gateway website, specifically, “Statutes at a Glance: Regulation of Adoption Expenses”.
The total costs of independent adoptions are tough to estimate due to many variables. If the birth mother changes her mind and chooses to raise her child, costs may not be reimbursable.
International (Agency or Independent)
Intercountry adoption fees cover immigration processing and legal costs. Costs vary by country and organization. Some adoptive parents are requested to donate to the foreign orphanage or adoption agency. There are other variable expenses in some countries (to include bribes).
Depending on the country, there may be additional fees, such as:
•Child foster care (usually in South and Central American adoptions)
•Travel and accommodations
•If parents do not travel, they may hire escorts to accompany the child
•Child's medical care and treatment
•Translation fees
•Foreign attorney fees
•Foreign agency fees
•Passport and Visa fees
Personal Note: Please do your research. Several persons told us stories of spending thousands of dollars trying to adopt domestically and overseas, to no avail. There are sometimes many hidden costs plus many unscrupulous persons along the path toward adoption. When you arrive in a foreign country, be prepared for unforeseen expenses. This is not meant to be a condemnation of overseas adoptions, rather a true story of what we heard directly from persons who we helped adopt children from the U.S. public system.
On the positive side, there are a few great websites on international adoptions. Here is an emotionally charged website, http://orphansfoundation.org/
For more information on international adoptions, we recommend the e-book “International Adoption Guidebook”, © from Perspectives Press,by Mary M. Strickert, 2004, http://international.adoption.com/foreign/adoption-language-2.html There is more information on international adoptions throughout this guide.
CHAPTER 4: CREDITS, SUBSIDIES AND REIMBURSEMENTS
Tax credits, subsidies, and corporate financial reimbursements can offset some or all of adoption expenses. Besides these economic incentives, adopted children may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid coverage until they are age 18 or 21. Some states, such as Texas, assist adopted children with college tuition at in-state colleges or universities.
Tax Credits
You may be able to take the current federal income tax credit of up to $13,360 for qualified expenses paid to adopt an eligible child. If the child has special needs, the credit may be allowed even if you do not have any qualified expenses. If your modified adjusted gross income is more than approximately $185,210, your credit is reduced. If your modified AGI is approximately $225,210 or more, you cannot take the credit. Regardless of your income, you should document all adoption related expenses. Search “adoption credit” on irs.gov website for the latest information.
According to the IRS, “Qualified adoption expenses are reasonable and necessary expenses directly related to, and whose principal purpose is for, the legal adoption of an eligible child.” These expenses include:
•Adoption fees,
•Court costs,
•Attorney fees,
•Travel expenses (including amounts spent for meals and lodging) while away from home
•Re-adoption expenses to adopt a foreign child.
Subsidies
The federally funded adoption assistance program, under Title IV-E, provides financial support to adoptive parents of children with special needs. Special needs children are generally older children, children from minority groups, sibling groups, or children with medical conditions. Some children have emotional scars from neglect or abuse. The definition of “special needs” varies by state, so check with your adoption worker if you are thinking about adopting a child with special needs.
If a child has special needs he or she will likely receive an adoption subsidy from the state until an adult. The adoption subsidies vary by state. If ineligible for federal assistance, families may receive state subsidies. The amount of the adoption subsidy varies with the needs of the child. The subsidy is generally a monthly payment, until the child is age 18 or 21. The assistance program helps adoptive families with the costs of counseling, medical care, tutoring, and other support as required.
Persons adopting children from outside of the country would most likely not qualify for a federal subsidy. According to the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC), (http://www.nacac.org/), “the Federal adoption assistance program was intended to provide permanency for children with special needs in public foster care by assisting states in providing ongoing financial and medical assistance to the families who adopt them. As a result, the statutory requirements for Title IV-E adoption assistance eligibility are geared to needy children in public child welfare systems and are difficult, if not impossible, to apply to children who are adopted from abroad.”
In Fiscal Year 2009, 88% percent of the children adopted from U.S. foster care received an adoption subsidy, consisting of state and/or federal funds. Generally, the adoptive parent negotiates the amount of the monthly subsidy with the placing agency prior to adoption finalization, based on the services the children may require until adulthood. States will often reimburse additional non-recurring adoption expenses, such as court costs, for qualifying children.
The following chart shows the percentage of children, by state, who received a subsidy for FY2005. Those states, highlighted in yellow, provided subsidies to almost 100% of publicly adopted children. The states highlighted in red provided subsidies to less than 40% of publicly adopted children. If adopting a child from Georgia and Puerto Rico, you may want to ask your adoption worker if these statistics are still accurate, and if so, inquire about any programs that compensate adoptive parents or the adopted children, in lieu of the subsidy.
STATE, Federal, State Only, None, Total%, Number
Alabama 41.1% 23.8% 35.1% 100.0% 387
Alaska 81.1% 18.9% .0% 100.0% 212
Arizona 82.0% 11.0% 7.0% 100.0% 1,400
Arkansas 73.2% 9.4% 17.5% 100.0% 395
California 86.3% 12.0% 1.7% 100.0% 7,364
Colorado 47.8% 23.1% 29.1% 100.0% 956
Connecticut 21.3% 50.7% 28.0% 100.0% 649
Delaware 25.5% 36.2% 38.3% 100.0% 94
D.C.22.9% 77.1% .0% 100.0% 179
Florida56.1% 20.8% 23.1% 100.0% 3,046
Georgia 27.3% 10.8% 61.9% 100.0% 1,250
Hawaii 74.3% 23.2% 2.5% 100.0% 397
Idaho 86.4% 10.7% 2.8% 100.0% 177
Illinois 71.2% 13.9% 14.9% 100.0% 1,735
Indiana 74.1% .0% 25.9% 100.0% 1,183
Iowa 45.5% 21.0% 33.4% 100.0% 984
Kansas 60.3% 30.7% 9.0% 100.0% 524
Kentucky 95.8% 2.4% 1.8% 100.0% 759
Louisiana 71.0% 17.2% 11.8% 100.0% 466
Maine 68.6% 30.8% .6% 100.0% 331
Maryland 67.6% 21.7% 10.7% 100.0% 364
Massachusetts 47.7% 51.6% .7% 100.0% 874
Michigan 68.0% 22.0% 10.0% 100.0% 2,591
Minnesota 60.5% 31.9% 7.5% 100.0% 664
Mississippi 85.5% .0% 14.5% 100.0% 248
Missouri 77.6% 21.9% .6% 100.0% 1,253
Montana 67.6% 22.8% 9.6% 100.0% 272
Nebraska 24.7% 58.4% 16.9% 100.0% 534
Nevada 79.5% 19.8% .7% 100.0% 444
N.Hampshire 84.4% 15.6% .0% 100.0% 135
New Jersey 82.0% 14.0% 4.1% 100.0% 1,325
New Mexico 93.5% 5.9% .6% 100.0% 338
New York 75.8% 22.6% 1.6% 100.0% 2,810
N. Carolina 62.5% 36.3% 1.2% 100.0% 1,234
North Dakota 41.3% 30.7% 28.0% 100.0% 150
Ohio 95.6% .9% 3.4% 100.0% 1,803
Oklahoma 57.3% 41.8% .9% 100.0% 1,141
Oregon 79.5% 20.4% .1% 100.0% 1,095
Pennsylvania 79.4% 13.1% 7.5% 100.0% 1,926
Rhode Island 61.2% 35.7% 3.1% 100.0% 258
S. Carolina 46.1% 23.5% 30.4% 100.0% 425
South Dakota 64.7% 35.3% .0% 100.0% 150
Tennessee 49.4% 25.7% 24.9% 100.0% 994
Texas 67.4% 18.4% 14.2% 100.0% 3,409
Utah 53.3% 43.9% 2.8% 100.0% 503
Vermont 71.3% 7.9% 20.7% 100.0% 164
Virginia 61.7% 29.8% 8.5% 100.0% 551
Washington 90.6% 6.4% 3.0% 100.0% 1,196
West Virginia 59.9% 40.1% .0% 100.0% 419
Wisconsin 85.2% 14.7% .1% 100.0% 885
Wyoming 40.4% 43.9% 15.8% 100.0% 57
Puerto Rico 20.8% 14.0% 65.3% 100.0% 236
The subsidy rates vary by state, based on policies and interpretations of what constitutes varying degrees of special needs. The April 2007 NACAC chart, “Summary of State Adoption Assistance Programs”, shows adoption assistance rates, by state.
Personal Note: The amount of the subsidy you will receive most likely ranges between the basic rate and the specialized rate, based on the child’s needs. Explain to your adoption worker how you would use the money over the course of the child’s youth to maximize their potential. Nonrecurring expense subsidies help with legal and miscellaneous costs.
Ask an adoption worker in your state about adoption subsidy rates and regulations.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the 2005 study of adoption subsidies:
•The amount of the monthly adoption subsidies varies by age and special needs of the adopted child.
•Older children are more likely to receive subsidies, and larger subsidies.
•If a state is paying a foster parent to care for a special needs child, the state most likely realizes the special needs of that child will likely remain after adoption.
•Children adopted by single females received higher subsidies than those adopted by married couples, probably to help with daycare.
Subsidies for Active Duty Military
Active duty military may be eligible for reimbursement of expenses up to $2,000 for the adoption of a single child and for multiple children up to $5,000 per family per year. Active-duty military members who adopt step-children may also be eligible for reimbursement of expenses. The subsidy reimburses adoption costs, including legal fees, placement fees, and medical expenses. Travel expenses are not reimbursed.
In order to qualify, the adoption must be arranged through a nonprofit agency or a qualifying adoption agency. The subsidy is paid after the adoption is finalized. If both parents are in the military, the subsidy is not doubled. Military members should also consult with their personnel representatives, concerning medical and other benefits that may be applicable before and after the adoption is finalized.
Reimbursement claims are submitted using a DD Form 2675, within one year after the adoption. The service member must be on active duty when filing for the reimbursement. You cannot get paid twice for the same expense by different programs. For additional information contact the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
Under the military’s Program for Persons with Disabilities, military parents may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 a month for disabled or special needs adopted children.
The military also has a program called the Exceptional Family Member Program that ensures adoptive parents of special needs children are assigned to bases or duty stations that can meet the needs of the child.
Corporate Reimbursements
The National Adoption Center reported that almost 500 U.S. employers, including major corporations and universities, provide one or more of the following adoption benefits: financial assistance, resources, referrals, and paid or unpaid leave. 75% of these employers provide financial reimbursement, with over 140 providing a benefit of at least $4,000.
Adoption benefits generally fall into three categories:
•Information
•Financial
•Leave
Information includes: referrals to adoption agencies, support groups, and organizations; access to an adoption specialist; assistance with specific issues. Many companies hire a human resources firm to provide these services.
Financial assistance may consist of a lump sum payment for an adoption, usually between $1,000 and $15,000. Some employers pay adoption fees, while other companies partially reimburse employees for expenses. Typical reimbursement plans cover 80% of itemized expenses up to an established ceiling. Employer financial assistance often covers agency fees and legal fees. Employers might help with foreign adoption fees, medical bills, foster care charges, transportation, pregnancy costs for a birth mother, and counseling fees associated with placement. Usually, benefits are paid after the adoption is finalized, although some employers may pay benefits as the expenses are incurred.
Parental leave is often provided for adoptive parents. If you work for a company with 50 or more employees, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides an entitlement of up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for placement for adoption or foster care of a child with the employee. It also requires that the employee's health benefits be maintained during the leave. The FMLA is administered by the Employment Standards Administration's Wage and Hour Division within the U.S. Department of Labor. The act ensures employees can return to their current jobs or an equivalent position. Additional information about this law is available at the U.S Department of Labor site, http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-fmla.htm, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a Child Welfare Information Gateway's website, which provides a National Foster Care & Adoption Directory. The directory lists adoption specialists by state who may be able to provide additional information on state leave policy for adoptive parents.
Some employers specify that only full-time employees are eligible for adoption benefits, or tie eligibility to the length of employment. The type of adoption may also impact benefits. Benefits may not be available when adopting a stepchild. Some employers specify that the children being adopted cannot be older than 16 or 18 years. Some companies offer supplemental benefits for adoptions involving a special needs child.
A list of adoption-friendly companies is available on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption website, as part of the “Adoption-Friendly Workplace Program”. The website is:
http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/Our-Programs/Adoption-Friendly-Workplace
The website lists many adoption friendly companies, to include the following:
America's Top 10 Adoption Friendly Workplaces (2010):
1 Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc.
2 Citizen's Financial Group, Inc. / RBS Americas
3 Liquidnet (tie)
3 LSI Corporation (tie)
5 Putnam Investments
6 Vanguard Group
7 Subaru of America, Inc.
8 BHP Billiton
9 The Timberland Company
10 Barilla America, Inc.
In addition to tax credits, subsidies, and corporate support, there are many organizations that provide loans and grants for adoptive parents, to include the following, (listed in alphabetical order).
Brittany's Hope Foundation. Assists adoptions of children worldwide by providing grants for adoptive parents who may consider children with special needs.
A Child Waits Foundation. Non-profit foundation that supports adoptions from international orphanages. Eligibility is based on financial need
Bank of America. Provides unsecured loans specifically for qualifying adoptive parents.
ForeAdoption Foundation. Provides links to information on grants for domestic and international adoptions.
Gift of Adoption Fund. Non-profit foundation that helps families with initial financial burdens of adoption (home study, legal fees, etc.). According to their website, “Nearly half of the grants awarded by the Gift of Adoption Fund support domestic adoptions – with priority given to uniting or preserving biological siblings and preventing a child from entering the foster care system”. Recommend that prospective parents visit this emotionally-charged website.
HelpUsAdopt.org. National non-profit organization that offers financial assistance grants for qualified applicants (regardless of race, religion, marital status or sexual preference) with grants of up to $15,000 toward adoption expenses. Helpusadopt.org helps “financially-stretched individuals and couples afford the high cost of adoption.”
Little Flowers Foundation. Little Flowers works to provide grants to families who need financial assistance in order to pursue an adoption. Older children, sibling groups, and disabled children can be hard to place
National Adoption Foundation. Established in 1994 by adoptive parents, dedicated “exclusively to facilitating the entire process by providing support, information and services directly to adoptive families before, during and after adoptions are finalized.” One of the ways the foundation raises money is through encouraging the purchase of merchandise where a portion goes to adoption assistance.
North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC). NACAC's Adoption Subsidy Resource Center provides information on how each state operates their Title IV-E Adoption Assistance program. Information is also available for Canadian provinces.
The Orphan Foundation. Helps prospective parents overcome the financial barriers to adoption by providing grants of $1,000 for each child adopted, and $1,500 for each "special needs" adoption. Grants are subject to funding availability, the basis of need, completion of a home study, and other factors shown in the application. The foundation's mission is to find loving homes for the millions of orphans around the world. Programs range from providing financial support to adopting families, to medical interventions for children waiting for adoption, to transition support for children leaving institutions or foster homes.
http://www.TheOrphanFoundation.org
Shaohannah's Hope. Awards financial grants to qualified families already in the process of domestic and international adoption. Show Hope donors have “helped provide loving, Christian families for over 2,000 waiting orphans from 40 different countries, including the U.S.”
http://www.shaohannahshope.org
WACAP – World Association for Children and Parents. International nonprofit adoption which helps parents cover the costs of certain adoptions.
Gift of Adoption Fund. We recommend that prospective parents visit this outstanding websites for a wide variety of reasons. According to their site, “75% of Gift of Adoption expenses go directly toward grant programs. More than 500 volunteers are an integral part of Gift of Adoption’s success. Last year, about 15% of Gift of Adoption grants helped parents in the U.S. military complete their adoptions of children in need. Many grants also help parents employed as clergy, teachers, police and fire fighters, and other civil servant positions. Gift of Adoption Fund is a non-profit charitable organization. The average household income of a Gift of Adoption grant recipient is $43,500 showing the means to raise a child but less so the ability to come up with the significant upfront adoption fees. The average Gift of Adoption grant is $3,500; the maximum grant is $7,500.”
http://www.giftofadoption.org/
God’s Grace Adoption Ministry (GGAM). Helps Christian families overcome the financial burden of adoption. The ministry provides adoption grants or assistance in adoption fundraising and works with adoption agencies to place orphaned children with families.
Hebrew Free Loan Association. Provides interest-free loans up to $10,000 to Jewish adults who wish to adopt children internationally or domestically.
You should initially contact the nearest county or state social services office for adoption information. The office may be listed in the phone directory or on the internet under Department of Human Services, Social Services, Child and Family Services, or Health and Welfare. If you can’t find it, just ask for the department which handles adoptions. Again, this is the government, so be patient. The Child Information Gateway provides “The National Foster Care & Adoption Directory” which offers adoption and foster care resources, both public and private, by state. http://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/index.cfm.
After you check out public adoptions, you should look at some private adoption agencies, compare prices, home study requirements, available children, and timelines. A few websites are listed below with links to adoption agencies. This is not meant to be an all encompassing list, but it will definitely provide you with many alternatives from which you will need to tailor your selections based on your adoption goals, and your resources.
One of the better lists of U.S. adoption agencies is available at http://adoption-agency.us
Another website that lists adoption agencies is http://Myadoptionagencies.com. This site is sponsored by “A (not an) Act of Love Adoption Agency”, from the state of Utah. Founded by Kathy Kunkel, who adopted 8 of her 10 children, the agency has assisted thousands of birthmothers and adoptive families since 1993. Adoption.com also provides a list of adoption agencies, with phones numbers and brief descriptions. http://directory.adoption.com/services/Adoption_Agencies.html
Before beginning any adoption paperwork, you should attend an orientation session. This will provide you an opportunity to assess the agency's ability to meet your adoption needs. Public agencies will generally not charge for applications or the home study.
Because the public agencies are not profit-driven, they are generally not great at marketing. Social workers may paint a picture that is not exactly what you were looking for, being perhaps too realistic or pessimistic. Simply remind them that since there are over 110,000 children across the country that are ready for immediate adoption, plus another 300,000 that may become adoptable, there surely is a child waiting for your paperwork to be processed.
Private agencies are generally profit-driven, much better at marketing, and far more likely to paint a rosy picture. They will however likely charge thousands of dollars more, to include perhaps a non-refundable application fee and charges for the home study. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of subsidies and loans that can help defray these costs. Ask about costs at the first meeting.
Regardless of the required paperwork, pursue your adoption. It probably requires less paperwork to adopt than to buy a home. Most of the paperwork can be done quickly, often over the course of the few required classroom sessions.
Personal Note: We completed the local adoption training and the required paperwork in California, Texas, and Virginia, and were certified as foster care/adopt parents in each of these states. The total approval process took about 9-12 months, based on how long we took to complete the classes, CPR training, and paperwork.
The key to success is close coordination with your assigned adoption worker. Make sure your worker understands your family’s strengths, limitations, goals, and timelines.
Home Study
The mandatory home study encompasses a written report, usually completed by the adoption worker. The worker meets with the prospective parents several times, to include visits to the prospective home. The worker may interview other family members and/or adults living in the home. The adoption agency uses the home study in determining if a stable environment exists for an adoptive child.
The home study may include:
•Certified copies of official documents, such as birth certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, and marriage licenses, plus finalization or adoption decrees for any other adopted children
•Child abuse and criminal record clearances, or a notarized statement from the police declaring that you and other adults in your home have faced no felony convictions
•References from friends, neighbors, etc… (Do not forget to inform your potential references why you are considering adoption)
•Fingerprints, which requires a small fee and may take a while, so this should be accomplished early in the process
•Autobiographical statement or short statement of your life history
•Health statement provided by a physician, which might include lab test results
•Income verification -Whether rich or not, you can adopt. The state or adoption agency wants to ensure that you can meet the needs of the child.
When preparing for the home study, ask your adoption worker which items will take the longest. Focus initially on those items. Get your fingerprints done and submitted. Schedule your health exams. Send off the blank reference forms to your family or friends, after asking their permission (Choose wisely and tell them your adoption goals). Enroll in any required classes such as CPR. The list of documents looks long, but most can be done in a few weeks.
During your home study, the adoption worker may ask you about: your adoption goals, family history, marriage, education, employment history, and experience with children. According to the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) website, some questions to expect are:
•What is your family like, and how will you integrate a new child into it? How will your extended family treat an adopted child?
•How is your marriage? How do you make decisions, resolve conflicts, and share your feelings?
•Why do you want to adopt?
•What is your home like? Are there places for your child to play or spend time alone?
•What is your neighborhood like?
•How do you plan to address discipline issues with your new child?
•What was your family like when you were growing up? How were you raised?
•What sort of child care arrangements will you make for your child?
Criminal background checks are also required as part of the home study process. Checks may include:
•Federal (FBI) Criminal History
•State Police Criminal History
•Child Abuse Clearances
•Domestic Violence or Sexual Offense Clearances
•Fingerprints
According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, all of the states have regulations requiring background investigations of prospective adoptive parents and all adults residing in the households. Most states also require checks of child abuse and neglect registries. States may deny approval of a foster care license or adoption application if any adult in the household has been convicted of certain crimes, such as sexual abuse of a minor. For additional information on state statutes, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 requires a fingerprint-based check of a national crime information database before any prospective foster or adoptive parent may be approved for placement of a child. Approval of the adoptive home may not be granted if:
•The applicant has been convicted of felony child abuse or neglect; spousal abuse; a crime against children (including child pornography); or a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide but not including other types of physical assault or battery.
•The applicant has been convicted of a felony for physical assault, battery, or a drug-related offense within the past 5 years.
Personal Note: We completed the required foster care/adoption paperwork in California, Texas and Virginia. The adoption classes, fingerprints, reference checks, and home studies took approximately 6-8 months. We made our home a safer place to live by adding a few smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and cabinet door safety latches where medicines and hazardous items were stored. We also encouraged the adoption worker to quickly conduct the initial and subsequent home visits, which were essential to completion of the home study. There was surprisingly little advantage to completing the same process in three separate states. Each state had specific requirements, and much of the paperwork was non- transferable.
CHAPTER 8: SEARCHING FOR A CHILD
The U.S. government does not have a centralized web-site or database that contains photos, recordings, or information on adoptable American children. Even the best adoption websites in the U.S., both public and private, contain pictures of only a small percentage of the children waiting for a permanent home. The posting of photos is new for most states, complicated by lack of resources, the need to maintain websites, and legal issues, involving privacy and sexual predators.
The following national, state and city websites are the best sources of photolistings and information on adoptable U.S. children in this country. Even these websites cumulatively include photos of only a small percentage of the total U.S. adoption population. Focus your search on sites with photos of children from your state or city. If this does not provide satisfactory results, then search nationally.
Download this book for your ebook reader.
(Pages 1-36 show above.)