The Domestic Adoption Process
Inquiry
At Adoption Bridges of Kentucky we welcome all inquiry calls. Perspective adoptive parents call with questions and research what is best for them. We respect this process and encourage it. We are glad to answer your questions and invite you to request a free telephone conference to ensure we have the time to answer all of your questions.
Consultation
The consultation is an individual meeting with the Executive Director. During the consultation, you will learn more about our agency, the adoption process, and the risks involved. You will also review the paperwork and process in-depth. You will leave the consultation with an application packet and a good idea of what to expect from us.
Application
Your next step in the adoption process is the completion of the agency and state-required paperwork contained in the application packet (home study paperwork). You will be asked to provide information about your family, relationships, education, employment, finances, and interests. You will be required to submit background checks for child abuse and neglect, criminal history, and court records. Once we receive your finished paperwork, we will send you a formal letter that describes the risks associated with adoption. We ask you to review this letter with your attorney. When you return the signed letter to us, we will contact you about setting up a time to conduct your home study.
The Home Study
After you complete the home study paperwork, an agency social worker will schedule a home study visit. This consists of individual interviews with all people in the home; joint interviews and a home inspection. If there are any problems that prevent a home study approval, we will talk with you about them and see if they can be resolved. A home study is valid for one year.
Adoption Preparation
Adoptive parents must have 24 hours of pre-approved training to become certified as foster parents. This certification allows adoptive parents to take a baby home after birth even though the birth parent rights are not terminated. Adoption Bridges of Kentucky offers over 24 hours of training through face to face training, support groups, on line training, reading materials and more. We offer flexible training options to provide you with the information you need to prepare for your adoption, meet your scheduling needs, and appeal to your particular way of learning.
Adoptive Parent Profile
Adoptive parents develop a profile book with the assistance of staff. The profiles are shown to birth parents when they are choosing an adoptive family for their child. Adoption Bridges ofKentuckyoffers an online training tool with the basics on how to develop a profile. In addition, your social worker is available to assist and answer questions as you create your profile. We want to help you highlight the unique and wonderful features your family has to offer a child placed in your home.
Adoptive Parent Program
Throughout the adoption experience, our agency provides counseling and advocacy for adoptive parents. Our staff will be available to answer your questions and guide you through the adoption process. We are here for you every step of the way.
When You Are Matched
Birthmothers generally view profiles to choose adoptive. When you are chosen, we will provide you with case specific information, such as social and medical history. We ask that you carefully consider the situation that is presented to you and notify us if you accept or decline. We want this to be a good match.
Meeting the Birth Parents
Most birth parents want to meet the adoptive parents they have chosen to raise their child. A counselor will arrange this meeting and be there to facilitate. Adoptive parents are contacted by the agency social worker prior to the meeting to answer any of their questions and review the objectives of the meeting.
At the Hospital
With the assistance of their counselors, birth parents make a plan for how to proceed when they go to the hospital to deliver the baby. The plan will address issues such as when they would like the adoptive parents to be at the hospital, who they would like to be present when the baby is delivered, how much time they will spend with the baby, and how much care they want the adoptive parents to give the baby. Our agency will help prepare you for this hospital plan and details about the hospital stay.
Post Placement
After the child is placed with you, one of our social workers will visit with you once a month until the adoption is finalized. As required by the state, written detailed post-placement reports and the baby’s medical records become part of the adoption file.
Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) and Finalization
After the baby has been placed in your home, our staff will continue to work with you through the birth parent(s)’ termination of parental rights and the court process that will finalize your adoption. The termination of parental rights is a legal process between the birth parent(s)’ and the court. You do not attend this hearing. When the hearing is completed you are notified. Upon termination of the birth parents parental rights, you transition from foster parents to adoptive parents. As adoptive parents you and your attorney proceed with an adoption finalization court hearing.
Forms
Visit our Forms page to download and print forms to help you get started in the adoption process.Adoptive Parent Profiles
Visit our Parents Profiles page to read about some of our prospective adoptive parents.