Domestic Adoption Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the children?

The children are usually newborn to 6 months at placement and are of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Most often they come into our care directly from the hospital, although there are times when they may come into our care weeks or months after birth. Most are healthy, but some have known exposure to drugs and/or alcohol in utero. A child may have special medical needs. Some of the children have complicated legal situations.

What qualities best serve parents?

Experience tells us that families that thrive are most likely to be ones in which the parents are open and accepting, people who can, without preconceived expectations, take pleasure in the miracle of watching a child grow and develop. Adoptive families also benefit when parents have an understanding and accepting attitude toward the child's birth parents.

What kind of information will we have?

Barker tries to provide prospective parents with as much information as possible about the child they may adopt. The amount of information available will vary widely depending upon the particular situation of the birth parents. Some social information on the mother, often less on the father, is available. Sometimes the birth father is not in contact or is uncooperative with the agency. Information about both birth mother's and birth father's background is self-reported and is dependent on their knowledge of their own family's background. You will receive any available information on the prenatal care the birth mother receives as well as thorough medical information on the child while the child is in our agency's custody along with hospital records.

How long will I/we have to wait?

Waits vary, depending upon the size and make-up of the pool of applicants, as well as the needs of the children who come into our care. Additionally, in Domestic adoption, birth parents often choose to be involved in the selection of adoptive parents. Our mission is to find the right family for each child: for that reason, families do not receive a child on a first-come, first-served basis. The more flexible a family is in regard to their placement, the higher likelihood of a shorter waiting period. For most families in recent months, the duration between completion of home study and placement of child has been between 12 and 18 months, but there are no guarantees or predictable waiting periods in Domestic adoption.

Families who have waited more than a year for a placement sometimes want to discuss their options in Barker's strong international programs

Will I/we meet the birth parents and/or foster parents?

Under some circumstances, you will meet with your child's birth parent(s) prior to placement. When a child has been cared for by a foster family, adoptive parents are almost always willing to meet the foster parent(s). The opportunity to meet with the foster family who has cared for your child is invaluable.

Eligibility

The Program Overview chart will answer most questions. There are, as noted, exceptions for prospective parents adopting children who are members of a minority group or who have special needs. People need to be flexible while at the same time assessing the risks and not pushing themselves beyond what they can handle.

Because our mission is to place children who need families, we ask that applicants not specify a gender preference. There may be occasions when a preference can be accommodated but we cannot justify delaying placement of a child based on gender.

 

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