Pre/Post Adoption Services
Pre-Placement Adoption Services
Informational Seminars
Many adoption agencies will host informational meetings for people considering adoption. The seminars are a good way for prospective parents to learn about the entire process of adoption. Staff are often available to answer question as well. These informational meetings are generally a free service, but the agency may require reservations. There are adoption agencies which host informational meetings over the internet and by way of phone conference for families out of state.
Adoption Education
Each state has different adoption requirements, even for those adopting internationally. Some states and adoption agencies require that adoptive families have several hours of adoption education. The agency completing the adoption homestudy will know the state requirements. Prospective adoptive parents should ask if their adoption agency provides adoption education and the cost of this. A alternative is for prospective adoptive parents to use an online resource. Adoption Learning Partners provides adoption education through interactive and very well produced online courses. Many of the courses are free of charge and all of them are informative, thoughtful, and good educational tools for those involved in an adoption. Adoption Learning Partners charges a fee ($30.00) for a certificate of completion, which many states will accept toward required educational credits.
Post-Adoptive Services
Post Placement Visits
When adopting internationally, prospective parents find that many countries require at least three post-placement visits. These visits are typically done by the same agency that provided the adoption homestudy. The visits will check the child’s adjustment within the family and will serve to provide support to the family unit. Most frequently, there is a one month, three month and six month post placement visit. When paying the fee for a homestudy it is important to ask if the fee includes the post-placement visits. Often, a higher homestudy fee will include these visits and may be cheaper in the long run.
Adoption Support Services
Families with adoptive children may need support from adoption experts at various times. Support can be offered for children and families in times of crisis, but also simply as a preventative and intentional step towards keeping a healthy family unit. There are both private and public adoption support services available in each state. The type of support available depends on the state programs and private agencies. They include, but generally are not limited to, counseling, therapy, support groups, respite care, and post-adoption classes.
Adoption Reunions and Celebrations
Families who work with the same adoption agency and experience the process together benefit from one another’s stories and advise. This is one reason for adoption agencies to have adoption reunions and celebrations. The second reason for adoption reunions and celebrations, hosted by the agency, is that many of the children have come from the same orphanage. This is particularly important for older children who had friends in the orphanage they were placed in prior to their adoption. Reunions and celebrations are a great opportunity for the children to reconnect with each other. Parents are able to have conversation with other adoptive parents who have, most likely, had experiences similar to them. Just think of the stories that could be shared among this adoptive community. In addition, this is a time when the family unit is surrounded by other families that resemble their own. Children can experience a sense of normalcy in being one of many multi-cultural families at the reunion or celebration. People interested in this post-adoption service should simply contact their adoption agency as inquire about reunions and celebrations.
