Closed Adoption |
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Birth parents select an adoptive family from de-identified profiles of prospective adoptive families provided by the child-placing agency. All aspects of the adoption are kept confidential, with no contact between birth and adoptive families. It is important that adoptive families feel comfortable with the type of adoption they chose. However, since most birth parents want some amount of openness, closed adoptions often require the longest wait for placement.
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Open Adoption |
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Birth parents select an adoptive family from de-identified profiles of prospective adoptive families provided by the child-placing agency. Birth parents and adoptive parents determine the level of openness they share. This may include contact through the agency, or it may include the sharing of partial or fully identifying information, or some form of ongoing contact after the adoption is consummated. The form and frequency of the ongoing contact is determined by the participants and often, this contact is facilitated through the agency.
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Designated Adoption |
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Birth parents select an adoptive family _before the birth of the baby_ from de-identified profiles of prospective adoptive families provided by the child-placing agency. The amount of openness is established before the birth through choices that the birth mother and adoptive family make to fit their mutual level of comfortableness. The birth mother may request to meet the adoptive family before the birth or may ask that they be present at birth.
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Identified Adoption |
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Biological parents and the adoptive parents locate each other from an outside source with the intent of effecting an adoption. Thereafter, they use the child-placing agency to mediate the placement, complete legal work and provide post-placement supervision.
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Texas & Puerto Rican Pre-adoptive Social Studies |
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Applicants must submit a completed packet to begin the social study process. The following interviews will be scheduled during office hours: Applicants must complete two joint interviews (one in the home with all family members present). Individual interviews will be scheduled for each adult member of the household and each child over the age of three. The agency will also make at least one contact by telephone, in person, or by letter with each adult child of the adoptive applicants no longer living in the home or with children living outside the home with a divorced spouse. Interviews, with the exception of the home interview with all family members present, may take place in agency offices.
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International Pre-adoptive Social Studies |
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Applicants must obtain and complete a CPC application from the administration office. Return the completed application with information regarding the international agency you will be working with. Please include all international requirements needed to complete your social study. (This can be obtained from your international agency.) You will be required to complete the social study process as set forth for domestic adoptions as well as the requirements for international adoption. After completion of the social study, you will receive five notarized copies of your study. Post placement supervision may also be provided by separate contract.
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Pre-adoptive Social Studies Updates |
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Agency Policy and Texas Minimum Standards requires six-month reviews of each social study. This review includes, but is not all inclusive of, at least one visit to the home with ALL household members present. An update must also be completed within a month before the placement of a child in your home.
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Post Placement Services |
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Post Placement Supervision shall include a minimum of six supervisory visits with the adoptive parents within the first six months of placement. Two to three of these visits will be made in the home and all family members MUST be present. The remaining four visits will be scheduled in the agency office or by phone with at least one adoptive parent and the child. Clients may request that the remaining four visits be made in the home at a cost assumed by the adopting parent(s) to include travel, lodging, food and out-of-office fee. Supervision may be extended to eighteen months in the interest of the child.
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Post Adoption Services |
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The adoption of a child is a life-long commitment. As the family changes and grows, so may your adoption issues. The agency is committed to providing post adoption services for you or your child whenever these issues arise. Four office counseling sessions will be provided at no charge and extended services will be available at the current yearly rate per session. Referrals will be made for families outside the service area. Fees for these services must be arranged with the referred provider and are the responsibility of the adopting parent(s), adoptee or birth parent. Counseling sessions for the adoptive parent, adoptee, or birth parent through in-house services may include, but are not limited to, grief and loss in adoption, attachment issues, sexual abuse, anger and developmental issues, ongoing adoption issues, disruption and its aftermath, search and its consequences, and open adoption issues. Upon request, the agency will provide the adoptive child with a DE-IDENTIFIED copy of his/her record. If the child is less than 18 years of age, the request for information must come from, or include the written consent of, the child�s adoptive parent(s) or managing conservator. A fee may be charged for this service.
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