Getting Started
The internet has proven to be a tremendous information resource in adoption, however, it is also very daunting. What adoption program is the right fit for our family? What adoption agency is reputable? What are the qualifications for each country and do we meet those criteria? These are all questions that can be challenging as you’re getting started.
But, fear not, Loving Shepherd Ministries is a wonderful objective resource that helps you and your family maneuver these initial steps to adoption. They can help you understand what your options are for adoption and subsequently they are poised to share with you reputable adoption agencies. Their ministry is a free resource to you!
International Adoption
Most of the world’s orphans are living overseas, many in extreme poverty and with little support. Unfortunately, regulations and restrictions make it difficult for U.S. families to adopt children from several countries that have large orphan populations. However, many countries do have international adoption programs in place and allow U.S. families to adopt children that, due to various circumstances, have a low probability of finding a forever family in their birth country. Click here to see a chart showing how many international children were adopted by U.S. families over the past five years and the top 20 countries in terms of number of adoptions processed. As you can see, the number of international children adopted by U.S. families has declined each year since 2005. The economic recession is predicted to impact 2009 adoptions significantly.
The following adoption agencies provide various placement services:
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Chinese Children Adoption International – China and Haiti adoptions
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Generations Adoptions – Uganda and Mexico adoptions
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Nightlight Christian Adoption – Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, Khazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Taiwan, Ukraine, Belarus, and Bulgaria adoptions
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America World – Ethiopia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia, Rwanda, China
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Kingdom Kids – Bulgaria, China, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Nepal, Oregon, Rwanda, Taiwan, Ukraine
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All God’s Children – Bulgaria, China, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, and Vietnam
Please visit their websites for additional information on international adoption!
Domestic Adoption
There are several ways to go about adopting a child domestically. First, adoptive families can utilize the services of an adoption attorney, who will help the family locate a birthmother and complete the necessary paperwork for the family. Second, many adoption agencies have domestic adoption programs. Third, families can adopt domestically through the fost-adopt program.
Private
Private adoption is either through an adoption agency or an attorney. Nightlight Christian Adoption is an adoption agency providing domestic adoption. Please visit their website for more information on private domestic adoption!
All God’s Children is another recommended agency that facilitates domestic adoptions.
Fost-Adopt
Through California’s Fost-Adoption program, a child is placed with a potential adoptive family with the goal of being adopted by that family if reunification with the child’s birth family is not possible. A child placed with a family may be able to be adopted immediately or may need to wait for the completion of a court process for parental rights to be terminated (during which reunification is still a possibility).
According to the Dave Thomas Foundation, of the 510,000 children in the U.S. foster care system, 129,000 are available for adoption. During 2006, 79,000 children had parental rights terminated by the court, yet only 51,000 were adopted.
Arrow Child & Family Ministries provides services to families that are looking to adopt through the foster care system in Ventura County. Please visit their website to learn about their fost-adopt programs and their amazing Christian ministry to foster families.
Embryo Adoption
Embryo Adoption is a growing adoption ministry. Through embryo adoption, families adopt an embryo and can then carry and give birth to their adopted baby! Embryo adoption is a great option for families who would love to see a frozen embryo be given the gift of life as their adopted child.
Nightlight Christian Adoptions is an adoption agency that will be represented at our Adoption and Orphan Seminar in September that specializes in embryo adoption through their Snowflakes program. Please click on the link to visit their website and learn more about this adoption option!
Adoption Costs
The adoption costs a family will incur can vary greatly depending on the type of adoption. While an international or private domestic adoption can cost in excess of $20,000, fees for an adoption through the Ventura County foster care system are minimal (and may be completely free for qualifying families).
Adoptive Families magazine has published an adoption budgeting worksheet that shows the following ranges of costs for adoptions as of 2009:
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Russia: $35,000 or more
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China: $20,000 - $25,000
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Independent Domestic Infant Adoption (using an attorney): $15,000 - $25,000
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Agency Domestic Infant Adoption: $15,000 - $25,000
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Foster Care Adoption: $2,000 - $5,000
To see a detailed breakout of these costs, click here.
Do you feel called to adopt an international child or pursue a private domestic adoption, but financial constraints make such an adoption seem impossible? We would encourage you to not let financial concerns hold you back! There are funds and credits available for adoptive families that can help cover all or part of the costs of an expensive adoption.
Federal Adoption Tax Credit
The federal government provides a generous tax credit to adoptive families! As of 2009, adoptive families may claim a tax credit during the year their child’s adoption is finalized of up to $12,150 (or less if total adoption expenses were less than this amount). If a families federal tax liability is less than $12,150, this tax credit may be claimed over multiple years until it is used up. The tax credit is phased out for higher-income families beginning at a combined income of $182,180, and cannot be claimed by families earning in excess of $222,180. Please click here to learn more about this tax credit.
Adoption Grants – Employers
Many employers offer adoption grants to their employees to help them cover the costs of an adoption. Please check with your employer to see if they offer such a program! You may be surprised at what is available.
Adoption Grants – Organizations
Several non-profit organizations provide grants to families that need help covering the cost of an adoption. Lifesong for Orphans is one such organization that will be represented at our Adoption and Orphan Seminar in September 2009. Lifesong provides interest-free loans and matching grants to families through their legacy fund. Please click here to learn more about how Lifesong can help you cover the costs of your adoption!
Other organizations that we support that provide adoption grants and/or fundraising programs to adoptive families include:
Your Home Church
Your home church may be a great resource for adoption support! Many churches provide adoption grants to members, or may be able to assist you with fundraising activities. If your church does not currently have an adoption fund, we encourage you to present this idea to your church staff!! Lifesong for Orphans helps churches set up and administer adoption funds, please click here to learn more about starting such a fund at your home church.
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