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The basic requirements for adoption applicants are:
Adoptive Applications Must:
- Be at least 25 years old.
- Be able to meet their own basic financial
needs and those of
the children they adopt.
- Be able to provide separate sleeping spaces
for male and female
children in the home.
- Be able to document their health and financial
status.
- Not have committed crimes against children
or other violent
crimes.
Adoptive Applicants Can:
- Live in an apartment or their own home.
- Be single male or female, married or widowed.
- Have children or be childless.
- Have a modest family income.
Phases to becoming an adoptive parent:
Phase
I :
The first step is to attend a mandatory orientation session where
applicants learn about adoption and the 
process in detail. Staff members will be available to answer any
questions and to help applicants understand the adoption process
and complete a formal application.
Phase
II :
provides adoptive parent preparation sessions called MAPP (Model
Approach to Partnership in Parenting). Here, applicants participate
in a 10- week program with up to 20 people. MAPP is mandatory
for all applicants. MAPP helps applicants prepare themselves to
meet the needs of children and learn more about child development
and the impact of adoption on their lives. If married, both spouses
must participate in MAPP.
During the 10 sessions, an adoption worker
will meet with applicants individually in their home at least
three times.
Phase
III :
As part of the adoption process, Georgia law and
require proof of marriage, divorce, or widowhood for all applicants
who are not single. Applicants who are separated, but not divorced,
cannot adopt.
As a result of Phase II, a written summary
(a home study) of the applicant�s strengths and needs is prepared.
The home study is made available to agencies that have custody
of the child(ren) the applicant seeks to adopt. For more information
on national adoption issues, visit www.nacac.org
Frequently
Asked Questions
How Do
I Get Started?
Call
and an adoption counselor will provide you with all the information
you need to start the adoption process.
How Is The Child Chosen
Information and pictures of children are available to applicants
throughout the adoption process.
staff helps adoption applicants make informed decisions about
which children they will adopt. Visits begin once applicants are
approved and visits continue until the child can make a smooth
transition from foster care.
Who Are the Children?
places children who are in foster care and who typically range
in age from 3 and 14. Many are brothers and sisters who need a
home together. To view information on Georgia’s children,
visit www.adoptions.dhr.state.ga.us.
Does it cost?
does not charge an adoption fee. Applicants will incur expenses
for legal fees and for the cost of medical examinations. All these
fees are paid directly to the service provider and not to .
For most children, financial adoption assistance is available
for the adoptive family until the child becomes 18 years old.
How long does it take?
Like giving birth, the adoption process, from orientation to the
adoption placement, generally takes from nine months to one year.
The length of time depends on the availability of children fitting
the criteria of the child the applicant wants to adopt.
Is there a waiting
list?
At this time, there is no waiting list. New MAPP sessions begin
every three to four months. Orientation sessions are held on the
second Saturday and fourth Monday of each month.
What if I cannot adopt
right now, how can I help?
While everyone cannot adopt, everyone can contribute to adoption
in some way. ’
success over the past eight years is due to community support
and involvement of people just like you. Your tax-deductible donations
can help
achieve ensure positive and permanent outcomes for children. Give
at any level. All tax-deductible gifts are welcome and appreciated.
Friend $10-$25
Your gift at this level demonstrates your commitment to achieving
permanent outcomes for African American children in Georgia’s
foster care system.
Patron $25-$49
Gifts at the level support ’
efforts to recruit families throughout the Metro-Atlanta community
who are interested in making a difference in the lives of African
American children. For your donation, please accept our gift of
an 8" X 10" unframed miniature of artist Gilbert Young’s
"His Eye Is on the Sparrow".
Contributor $ 50-$99
Gifts at this level help ’
maintain its 10-session MAPP (Parent Preparation) program. This
Program is held eight times per year for adoption applicants and
is essential to ensuring the success of adoption placements. For
your donation, please accept our gift of one 8" X 10"
framed miniature of artist Gilbert Young’s "His Eye
Is on the Sparrow".
Supporter $100-$149
Gifts at this level support ’
Family Enrichment Activities, which are designed to assist families
at any time during the placement. Family Enrichment Activities
include workshops, seminars, conferences, and family fun days..
For your donation, please accept our gift of one 24" X 29"
limited edition (500) series unframed lithograph of artist Gilbert
Young’s "His Eye Is on the Sparrow".
Sponsor
- $150+
Gifts at this level support ’
efforts to provide financial assistance to families to offset
the costs of therapy/family counseling and/or extracurricular
activities as needed to help the children they adopt adjust to
their new family and new environment. For your donation, please
accept our gift of one 24" X 29" limited edition (500)
series framed lithograph of artist Gilbert Young’s "His
Eye Is on the Sparrow".
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