Family Resources

Who and what age parents are accepted?
Family Resources will work with couples or single women of any religious/ethnic background.  You may be divorced or married, childless or with other children, and show proof that you are able to support a child within your income and that one parent be over the age of 24 and under the age of 60.  There are a few countries that require parents to younger than age 60. The one thing that we look for in the applicant is that they can demonstrate patience, understanding, stability and can provide a safe loving home for a child.  

Is international adoption the right choice for me?
If you believe that you can love and care for a child of another culture and can accept uncertainties from another country, then international adoption is the right choice.  You must be able to accept the limited background information about the child, and the possible delays in the adoption process due to foreign governments change in requirements or procedures.  In most cases the waiting time is usually shorter than if you adopt domestically.  Most foreign adoptions are closed adoptions and the records are confidential.  You do not need to worry that a relative could come back and try to take the child back.

Do both parents need to travel?
Most countries require that both parents meet the child, and be present for the court hearing of their adopted child.  Most people have reported they like seeing the child's country of origin and buy souvenirs and take many pictures to show their child when they are older. The primary purpose of the trip is adoption, but there are opportunities to sight see and discover your child's country of origin. Traveling to a foreign country can be very intimidating, if you have never traveled abroad.  There is little to worry about because you are met at the airport, and accompanied through every step of the adoption process.

Do you work with any clients from any state?
Yes, Family Resources can place children in all 50 states.  Your home study must be done by a social worker or an adoption agency in your state, according to your state laws.

 Do you offer special needs children?
Family Resources referrers basically healthy children to clients, unless the family requests a special needs child.  We ask you specifically what kind of child you would accept.  This is strictly the families decision on the child they choose to adopt. 

What is a home study and the post placement requirement?
A home study must be prepared by a licensed social worker or an adoption agency. Requirements vary from state to state, please check your state’s Department of Social Services for requirements in your state. The social worker will meet with the family and collect information and documents about your finances, home, education, employment, beliefs and values, and background information.  The home study is confidential, but will be reviewed by several people, including, Family Resources, Dept. of Human Services, INS, U.S. Embassy or Consulate, foreign court, and the translator.  Most foreign countries require post placement follow-up services with the family for a certain period of time. The report will be submitted to the child's country to show them the child's progress.

Why and how do we file for INS-I-600A?
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) must give permission for your foreign adopted child to enter the USA with an immigrant visa.  It can take anywhere from 1 - 4 months to obtain permission to adopt from the INS.  The I-600A can be down loaded from the Internet at the U.S. Immigration Naturalization web site USCIS.gov Home Page or you can call for the INS form on the 1-800 forms line at 1-800-870-3676.  The form will give you the necessary requirements.  

How can I afford an adoption?
There are many ways to afford an adoption. You employer may offer a benefits plan to reimburse you for part of the adoption expense.   The Hope for children Act has been signed and it allows the credit to increase from $5,000 to $10,000 for the year 2002 and beyond.  The income amount also increases from $75,000 to $150,000. Another way to afford an adoption is to borrow money to adopt a child.  (Your last vehicle you purchased was probably very close to the same price as an adoption and you might haven taken a loan out on the vehicle.).  Many families choose to refinance their home or family members may choose to help financially.  Check with your local county Human Services Department they might have a program to reimburse adoptive families.  Some charitable institutions may give grants or loans for help with expenses.