What are your adoptive parent qualifications? |
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Each agency licensed in Texas must meet a certain set of "Minimum Standards" regarding the qualifications of the adopting family. This criteria is different for each agency but meets state standards as a minimum. CPC has the following initial criteria for applying to adopt:
CPC policy usually includes the criteria listed below. However, qualifications of the referring agency and/or birth parent when not in direct conflict with agency policy, are greatly considered. Some agency policies may be waived or changed to comply with the participating agency's policies and specific requests by the birth parent(s). In those cases where adopting parents do not meet agency requirements, a strength and weakness assessment will be made and presented to the birth parent and/or referring agency who may continue to request placement and/or services.
Adopting parents should be emotionally stable, in good mental and physical health, financially secure, flexible, understanding, and accepting of the background and needs of the child.
AGE: Couples applying for adoption must have one partner between the ages of 24 and 45. The remaining partner's age may be outside of these parameters.
MARRIAGE: Couples must have a stable marriage and must have been married at least three (3) years. However, families who have proven infertility and who are able to show communication between the partners, a sharing relationship and a commitment to the marriage will be carefully considered through a petition to the adoption committee.
SINGLE PARENTS: Single parents are accepted for study with the understanding that the birth parent(s) must agree with the placement decision. Single adopting parents must be between the ages of 24 and 45.
RELIGION: Religions which prevent a child from receiving medical care are not accepted.
HEALTH: A medical history of each potential parent is required. Adoptive parents must have the capacity to raise children and have health expectations of living for the full childhood of the adoptee.
FINANCIAL: Adoptive applicants must demonstrate financial stability by submitting information on financial assets, insurance, investments and the stability of employment.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be living in Texas and be able to remain in the area long enough to complete the adoption study and six to eighteen months supervision.
EMPLOYMENT/CHILD CARE: The primary care giver* must be willing to remain home to care for the child for the first six weeks of placement. Single parents must be willing to remain home for one month after placement. (*Married couples may share this time commitment.)
FBI/CANRIS CHECK: Each applicant must submit a criminal and/or fingerprint record check completed through the appropriate governing entity. The agency will complete the CANRIS for Texas couples. Applicants must not have a felony record or must be able to provide proof of rehabilitation.
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What does it cost? |
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Please contact us for fee information. Our fees are based off a sliding scale that depends on your annual income, the program of your choice and the birthparents expenses that would include her need for housing, counseling and medical costs.
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What is a home study? When should we start the home study? What is the cost of a home study? |
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The home study is a written report of the findings of an Adoption worker who has met with the applicants. Topics that are discussed and documented are your childhood, education, employment history, home history, criminal backgrounds, medical history, abuse history, citizenship, relationships, religion, references and etc. At least one meeting will occur in the applicant's home. Other people living in the home will be interviewed. The home study is provided to the courts, and helps to determine if a stable environment exists for an adoptive placement.
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Can the birthmother change her mind about the adoption? |
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Yes. However, once she signs the relinquishment papers (at the earliest, 48 hours after the birth), she cannot change her mind.
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What can I know about our child? |
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CPC attempts to obtain a thorough and comprehensive health, social, education and genetic history on all the birthparents, when it is available. We also do our best to obtain testing on HIV, STD's and illegal drugs.
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Who exactly are you working for? |
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Every party involved in the adoption, to include the adoptive parents, birth parents, hospitals, and in some case Family Protective Services. However, our primary focus is on the child's best interest.
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How long will it take for us to get a baby? |
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Upon completion of the Home study process, to takes as little as three weeks and as much as 36 months in some circumstances.
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Can we specify the sex of the child we adopt? |
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No, you must be willing to accept either sex. Preferences on sex can lead to longer periods of waiting and frustration with the lack of sex related cases. In our observation, we have long stretches of adoptions that can be with one sex and not the other. However, normal as it may be, birth mothers whom visit our facility may become discouraged to know that you may not be interested in their baby solely best on the sex of their child. Not only to mention, that a small percentage of ultrasounds are misinterpreted.
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Will the birthmother's medical costs be covered by either the agency or the adoptive parents or both? |
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For the most part, many of our clients are covered by Medicaid services and/or personal insurance agencies. However, medical costs that are not covered by insurance will be paid by the agency.
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Do you get any medical or background information on the birth Mother? |
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CPC makes every effort to retrieve as much genetic health history or background information on all of the birth parents that are available and pass that information on to the Adoptive parents.
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Am I too old/too young to adopt? |
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The minimum age for domestic adoption through CPC is 21 year old with no upper limit. However, we are looking for families of age that can reasonably be expected to raise a child and be there to provide a loving, stable, nurturing home environment for a child.
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How does adopting through an agency compare to adopting through an attorney? |
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Licensed Adoption agencies are able to provide more services to adoptive parents and birthparents throughout the lifetime of the adoptive placement. Individuals that are Not-Licensed and are involved in the adoption process could be committing a crime in Texas. Those same individuals providing a birthmother with financial assistance can be committing a felony. In sum, Licensed agencies will a major part of all of the work on your behalf and on private/attorney adoptions you will be responsible for doing all of the work yourself. Lastly, in most cases there is less financial and emotional risk for the adoptive couples when adopting through a licensed agency.
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How do we get started? |
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An application may be obtained from our office. The application may request documentation which has already been obtained by your home agency for the original home study. It is NOT necessary to redo these materials. You may use the forms completed for your agency by requesting your agency to release all necessary documents to our office.
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