Adoption
Domestic Adoption
Step-by-step Guide to Domestic
Adoption
Preparation
Potential adoptive parents approach the process with many questions, fears, and
uncertainties. At our three regional offices (Hartford/Rocky Hill, New Haven,
Waterbury), Catholic Charities offers orientation meetings for families who are
interested in learning more about adopting. You will have an opportunity to ask
questions and to speak with families who have already successfully adopted through
Catholic Charities.
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Homestudy
All adoptions require an agency licensed by the State of Connecticut
to prepare a report on the adoptive parent(s)/family. This report is
called a homestudy and is compiled after a series of interviews with
the parent(s)/family in our offices and in your home.
The purpose of the homestudy is two-fold:
- to assess the stability and readiness of the prospective
adoptive family to parent
- to educate the family about adoption.
A homestudy includes the following:
- Intake: Completing a written application and answering
a number of autobiographical questions in the first step of your
homestudy.
- Home and office visits: Your homestudy also will include
one home visit by a Catholic Charities social worker and several
appointments at our offices. There is a $1,800 fee for the homestudy.
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Personal
profile
Once the homestudy process is completed and the family is approved for
the placement of a child, information about the prospective adoptive
family, called their personal profile, is shared with birthparent(s).
Birthparent(s) are usually active participants in selecting a family
for their child.
The adoptive family’s personal profile includes
a letter written by the prospective adoptive parent(s) to the birthparent(s),
as well as a family photo album (all of which the adopting individual/couple
creates with the assistance of a Catholic Charities social worker).
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Placement
A family may have a child placed in their home through either of two
sources:
(1) the adoptive individual/couple’s efforts
at networking to identify a birth parent, or
(2) birthparents who come directly to Catholic Charities
crisis pregnancy program.
While all adoptive experiences are different, in most
instances birthparents and adoptive families will meet each other.
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Post-placement
Following placement, your Catholic Charities social worker will visit
with you and your child in your home to assess the growth and development
of your child, support your family’s adjustment and bonding with
your child, and to address any concerns you may have about the challenges
of parenting through adoption.
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Finalization
The legal process of adoption is usually completed within six months
after a child joins his/her adoptive family.
The legal documents necessary to finalize your child’s
adoption will be prepared by your Catholic Charities social worker
and submitted to your local probate court where the Probate Judge will
grant the final adoption decree.
Frequently
Asked Questions about Domestic Adoption
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