The Process

I've received alot of questions and comments about the how the adoption process works and why it costs so much lately so I thought I'd take a few min to explain it. I will try to post what my 6 months of research took me to understand into 500 words or less.

When you decide you want to start the domestic newborn adoption process you get in touch with an agency. We are going through Bethany Christian Services. You then attend an orientation meeting. Next comes the application. The fee for the application is $500 and requires about 20 pages of paperwork. This lets the agency know you are ready to start the process. Next comes a series of 3 tasks that must be completed in no specific order.
1. The Homework packet. A manilla envelope filled with single sheet papers about 3inches thick that all need to be filled out, signed and dated. This homework packet comes with background checks and fingerprinting and safety checks and in depth profiles about our history and finanaces. To turn in this packet requires a $2500.00 payment.
2. The Homestudy. This is where a caseworker comes into our home to interview our family and make sure our home is a safe place to raise a child. Having an approved homestudy is the most important thing an adoptive family can have. This homestudy is $2500.00.
3. The Adoptive Parent Weekend. This is a day and half of classes to bring up all aspects of the adoption, including issues that may come up later in life such as potential issues with inter-racial adoptive families and how to deal with your child wanting to search for their birthparents. This class is $3000.00

Those are the 3 main components of making you a qualified "Waiting Family." Once those three things have been completed then you can put together a profile that will be viewed by birthmothers. In the original packet you fill out there is an Openness Plan as to the type of child you would like to adopt as well as the openness of the adoption you would like to have with the birthmom. You have the opportunity to be as open minded or narrow minded about that plan as would like, but you must keep in mind that the birthmothers are only shown profiles that match their plan for their child. The more open your plan is the more birthmothers will be shown your profile. There is a Family Profile Fee of $600.00
At this point, we would be considered a Waiting Family. ***insert my happy dance***

Birthmoms will be shown our profile and when SHE PICKS US then there is a fee of $2000.00 due at the time of the match. This fee is to cover any medical expenses or expenses related to the pregnancy.

Then at the most wonderful, magical, exciting moment ever when the baby is actually placed with us and all papers are signed then the Placement fee of $10,900 is due. This cost is to cover all legal expenses and post placement visits by the caseworker.

This is the step by step process of how our adoption will costs. Now, if you were adding it up it goes like this: $500 + $2,500 + $2,500 + $3,000 + $600 + $2000 + $10,900 = $22,000 which is also = we don't care how much it costs because the first time we hold our baby it all becomes priceless!

I hope this answers a lot of the questions as to why the process takes so long and why it costs so much. This post may have seemed very matter of fact and only about finances but really it was just to educate about the process. If I would have inserted any emotions or thoughts on the matter this blog would've well exceeded my promised 500 word count. ***addendum: actual word count is 674, unless you count this then its 687, oh well. You win some, you lose some. Shoot! Now its 699.

Please continue to help us pray for provision and patience. More news will be coming next week as to the upcoming fall fundraisers we have planned.