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Has the thought of adopting a child ever crossed your mind? What has kept you from exploring what God may be calling you to do? Adoption is a journey of the heart, full of surprises and blessing. However it can be a daunting and intimidating process. This ministry is fully dedicated to reach out and support those who want to fulfill that calling.
Our Goal: Provide Services to assist prospective Adoptive Families in navigating through the Adoption process.
Services Available:
1. Information available about the adoption process as well as one-on-one support and assistance throughout the entire process
2. Creative Financing Ideas & assistance
3. Support Groups
4. Financial assistance for the cost of the adoption
How can I help with this area of the program?
1. PRAYER
2. Offer financial planning skills.
3. If you are familiar with the adoption process you can assist others
4. What ideas do you have to share with us?
Domestic Adoption Process
1. Complete a pre-application for the agency of your choice.
2. Receive notification of approval for the pre-application.
3. Complete formal application with agency fee.
4. Receive approval of your formal application and are assigned a social worker.
5. Have a home study report completed by your social worker.
6. If you are working with an agency that allows the birth family to choose an adoptive family, then you will compile your family profile (a small photo album to tell a story about your life). Your profile will be shown to the birth parents. For tips on how to compile a profile, contact HOPE Ministry or your agency social worker.
7. Wait for referral.
8. In some cases the birth family may request to meet with you.
9. Wait for the birth of your baby. Some agencies allow for you to take your child home immediately after he/she is released from the hospital. Others have you wait until the birth parents’ rights have been terminated. This is usually done within the first 3 days (depending on the state in which your child is born). Please speak to your agency regarding specific state guildelines as well as birth family circumstances which may delay the termination of rights (ie: birth dad is unknown, etc)
10. Take your child home and celebrate your new family!!!
11. Finalize the adoption. This is typically done approximately 6 months after the child has been in your home. This is a joyous day usually involving a ceremonial court hearing.
* This is a generalized version of the domestic adoption process. Details may change according to the agency of choice or birth family circumstances. Please feel free to contact the HOPE Ministry team for more details.
International Adoption Process
1. Complete a pre-application from the agency of your choice.
2. Receive notification of approval for the pre-application.
3. Complete formal application with agency fee.
4. Receive approval of your formal application and are assigned a social worker.
5. Apply for your passport(s).
6. Begin the I600 form with the assistance of your agency.
7. Obtain fingerprints.
8. Agency will complete a home study with your family.
9. Complete the dossier with the assistance of your agency.
10.Send your home study and dossier to the country you have chosen.
12.Wait for your referral from the country you have chosen.
13.The country identifies a child for you and you receive a referral.
14.Accept the referral and complete the acceptance documents.
15.Begin the court process.
16.The birth country completes the necessary legal procedures before the child may travel (This period of time varies by country).
17.Receive visa approval.
18.Travel to the country if desired or required.
19.Complete the court and immigration process in your child’s birth country and return home as a family!!
20.Your social worker begins the required post-placement reports.
21.Apply for a birth certificate after receiving your Final Order of Adoption and complete citizenship.
* Please remember this is a summary of the process. These steps will vary dependent on agency and country of choice.
How HOPE can help...
1. Prayer, Support and Guidance throughout the process. Please let us know if you chose to expand your family through adoption so that we can offer prayer, support and guidance.
2. Bible Study/Support Group - contact the HOPE Ministry team for more details.
3. Assist with funding your adoption.
The HOPE Ministry is currently researching the possibility of setting up an adoption fund within the church, however this takes a lot of time to research and set into place. Therefore, in the mean time, if you would like to host a fundraiser towards your adoption cost, we would be happy to assist. Please contact any HOPE Ministry team member to learn more details.
4. We would love to hear from you, how we could best serve your family.
Bible Study
The HOPE Ministry is seeking all Westwood Families that have been touched by adoption! We are privileged to invite you to join our first ever HOPE Adoption Bible Study. This will be a incredible fellowship of families that have built their families through adoption, are in the process of building your family, and families that are even in the beginning stages. No matter where Christ is leading you, we invite you to bring your hearts and voices. Through various study materials, scripture, and experiences we pray that you will find the support and guidance in this biblical based Christian setting. Couples and singles are welcome. Praise God, and we hope to see you there! Please contact any HOPE Ministry team member for dates and times for the meeting.
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