If you are exploring adoption to grow your family, seeking out resources to help understand the adoption process is a high priority. Without help, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by volumes of information that may or may not apply to your situation. Fortunately, there are many services to guide you through three types of adoption support options:
Choosing which direction to take is the first step in narrowing down the specific resources you need. But how do you know if the option you’ve chosen makes the most sense for your set of circumstances? Some general adoption support services look at the big picture to consider everything from legal aspects and financial considerations to family counseling years after the adoption takes place.
A Quick Look at Pre-adoption Support Services:
Third-Party Guidance – You may choose to adopt using an agency or a lawyer. Each may have different requirements. By contacting a local agency or lawyer, you can ask questions to decide what feels best for you. They will explain what documentation will be necessary so you can stay on top of paperwork, complete it properly, and return it to get you started as quickly as possible.
Agencies specializing in adoptions walk you through the process and even conduct requirements like home studies and filling out applications. International adoptions are more complex, and an agency can discuss the difference in legal challenges, travel expenses, and additional documents or concerns.
Financial Assistance – Adoption can be expensive. Look for organizations that offer grants to parents wanting to adopt. You may also hold fundraising events or create a crowdfunding page to share your story with loved ones, requesting financial and emotional support. There are many ways to balance the cost of adoption.
Other Adoptive Parents – The best advice and guidance you will receive is from someone who has been through the adoption process. Look for groups in your community or ask friends and family if they know anyone who has adopted. You could learn a lot of tips by listening to their invaluable advice.
Understanding Post-adoption Services
Tax Credits – Talk to your accountant about the federal adoption tax credit. You may be eligible to claim expenses such as fees and travel as a credit on your taxes. These could ease your financial burdens after the adoption.
Counseling – Finding an appropriate counselor is a good idea once the adoption is finalized. It can help both you and your child work through the adjustment period and address behavioral questions that may result. Mental health is just as important as physical health for everyone in your family.
Workshops – Seek out educational workshops for adoptive parents in your community. The adoption conversation does not stop once a child is placed in your family. You will encounter new issues as your child matures, and having a resource to support the relationship between parent and child is vital.
A quick search for bestselling books on adoption, support groups for people in all stages of the adoption process, and blog posts on adoption can be excellent resources for any stage of the adoption process. As always, find trustworthy sources that can offer legitimate guidance.
Although the adoption journey may seem overwhelming, you are not alone. You may come up short with some resources, but don’t give up. Once you start seeking out adoption support, more ideas and connections are passed along by others wanting to help.
At Heart of Adoptions Alliance, we offer access to both agency and legal services to help you navigate the adoption process. Visit our resources page for valuable information by category, or contact us at 866-432-7860 or [email protected]. Growing your family through adoption will be one of the most significant experiences of your life and we are here to offer adoption support to navigate the entire process!
