Adoption of Children with Special Needs
Introduction
- Seven years of age or older
- Part of a group of brothers and/or sisters that needs to be placed in a family together
- A member of a minority group
- Has disabilities which may involve mental, physical and/or behavioral challenges
- Is at risk for having learning, emotional, behavioral or physical disabilities in the future
- Was prenatally exposed to drugs or alcohol
Getting Ready for Adoption
- Extra financial resources are often needed to care for a
child with special needs.
- Talk with the case worker before placement to get a sense of what care and support a child may need.
- Check with your health plan to make sure there is coverage for the child's needs. Some plans may even offer adoption assistance.
- Caring for children with special needs may be draining,
both physically and emotionally for any parent.
- Keep in mind that “caring for the caregiver” (yourself) is just as vital as caring for your child.
- Your child’s health and well-being depend upon your health and ability to be there for them.
Choosing an Adoption Agency
- In a “closed” adoption, the birth parents and adoptive parents do not know each other, either before or after the adoption.
- In an open adoption, the birth parents and adoptive parents will trade contact information, and may even arrange to meet with each other as the child grows, or they may simply keep contact by phone or email.
-
Public agency adoption or "Foster to Adopt." A public
agency is supervised by a state or local Department of Health and Human
Services and often has children with special needs who are looking for
forever families.
- A public agency may have more open requirements for
adoptive parents.
- Single parents, older parents, and parents with low incomes, who may find it hard to adopt in other types of agencies will more often meet the rules of public agencies.
- Placement of a child can happen in as little as a few months, after a home study and approval.
- Because many foster parents adopt children that have been placed in their care, you may be approved as a licensed foster parent as well as a possible adoptive parent at the same time.
- Adopting a child through the foster care system is
often very low cost, or even free.
- Some states will give subsidies to help you with the cost of adopting a child.
- A public agency may have more open requirements for
adoptive parents.
-
Private agency adoption. A private agency is not run with
state or federal funds. They often work with infants from the local area or
nearby states, but sometimes they also work with children with special
needs.
- A private agency may have more set rules (than a
public agency) about who can adopt.
- They may have eligibility requirements based on race, religion, or age.
- Placement through a private agency can take longer, often up to a few years after a home study and approval.
- As stated by the website adoption.com, private agency adoptions can range from $5,000 to $40,000, based on many things, such as services, travel costs, birth mother needs, and rules in the state.
- A private agency may have more set rules (than a
public agency) about who can adopt.
-
Independent adoption. An independent adoption is most
often arranged through a lawyer, doctor, friend, or adoption case worker.
- Each state may have its own rules.
-
International adoption. This is often more involved than
domestic adoption.
- It often calls for extra paperwork, waiting lists, health concerns, travel, and the laws of the child’s birth country.
- International adoptions also differ greatly based on the child’s birth country.
- The website adoption.com states that the cost of international adoption can range from $7,000 to $30,000.
Outline of the Adoption Process
- Learn the adoption process and laws
- Search for and select an agency
- FIll out an adoption application
- Start the home study process.
- This is a full evaluation of you, your family, and your home. It is a required step in approving you as an adoptive parent.
- Receive approval for a placement
- Search for a child
- Meet and have pre-placement visits with the child
- Set up your home for your child's arrival
- Begin building your own medical and support network
- Welcome your child into your family
- Finalize your adoption
Resources
Information & Support
For Parents and Patients
National Foster Care & Adoption Directory Search
Has a database of adoption and post-adoption resources that is searchable by state and region.
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Provides information about adoption, tax credits, assistance, and other support for adoptive parents.
Intercountry Adoption
Has accurate information and resources on international adoptions; U.S. Department of State.
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Features the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids adoption program and has a resource library for parents.
Services in New Mexico
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