Adoption
What is an adoptive parent?
Adoptive parents are loving adults who make a boy or girl a permanent part of their family. They legally become the child's parents, providing a safe, stable, family environment.
What kind of children are adopted?
Boys and girls, newborn to age 18, come into an adoptive family from a variety of backgrounds. Many older children have previously lived in foster homes or residential facilities. Some boys and girls are considered "special needs" children. Typically they are over age 8, have emotional or physical disabilities, are a minority or are part of a sibling group that should not be separated. In order for a child to be eligible for adoption, one of the following must be true:
♦ The child has no family member willing or able to care for the youngster
♦ The biological parents voluntarily terminated their parental rights
♦ A judge determined that the biological parents are unable to care for their child.
What should I expect from the children?
Often boys and girls have experienced abuse, neglect, rejection and emotional pain. Because they are separated from their biological parents, some of these children may think they did something wrong and, therefore, they have low self-esteem. It may take time for the children to trust their adoptive parents and to believe that they are loved. All families created through adoption will be prepared for the special dynamics of raising an adoptive child.
How do these children get adopted?
Florida Baptist Children's Homes assists children who are available for adoption through referrals from family members, pastors or anyone who knows of a family or child in crisis. Referrals also come from community-based care agencies.
 What's required to adopt?
Florida Baptist Children's Homes' social workers/case workers match prospective parents with a boy or girl based on the parents' capabilities and on the child's age, cultural background, gender and needs. After interviewing the adopting parents several times, a Children's Homes' social worker/case worker completes a home study to determine the adopting persons' motivation to adopt, financial situation, marital commitment, employment, health, family history, faith, and cultural background. The social worker/case worker uses the home study process to help determine whether adoption is right for the couple. The prospective parents must also undergo background checks and physical exams. Once these steps have been taken, the adopting persons are required to complete the following training
♦ CPR/First Aid
♦ Cultural Diversity (if child is of a different race)
♦ Medical Care (if child has physical needs)
♦ Water Safety (if home includes a pool)
♦ MAPP – Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting
What's the purpose of adoption?
The goal in providing adoption services is to meet the needs of children who long for a permanent home and a loving family.
What is Florida Baptist Children's Homes' role in adoption?
Florida Baptist Children's Homes supports adoptive parents throughout the adoption process. Social workers/case workers provide counseling, supervise legal matters, and work with biological parents and others involved. They visit adoptive parents several times between placement and finalization to make sure the child and parents are adjusting well to one another. The Children's Homes does not typically place children with families in other states. However, we may assist Florida families who need a Florida agency to supervise an adoption from another state, or complete a home study for an adoption from another state or country.
 What does it cost to adopt?
Fees for adoption services are based on income. Maximum charge is $7,500 (amount is subject to change). Adoption of "special needs" children through community-based care agencies requires no fees. In fact, in many cases, subsidies to help support the child are possible.
What distinguishes
Florida Baptist Children's Homes
from other groups?
Florida Baptist Children's Homes is a faith-based, non-profit organization that has been caring for hurting and needy children since 1904. We serve from a Christian perspective, and we recruit like-minded adoptive families to demonstrate a Christian lifestyle to our boys and girls. Not all of the children who come into the Children's Homes' care are Christians, though we do require them to attend church on a regular basis and we try to lead them into God's kingdom.
Am I eligible to adopt a child?
You may be able to adopt if...
♦ You are at least 23 years old, and you or your spouse are less than 40 years older than the child (exceptions may be made regarding the latter).
♦ You are a Florida resident and U.S. citizen.
♦ You have been married for at least two years (single persons may be eligible to adopt).
♦ You are a professing Christian.
♦ You are an active participant in a local Christian church.
♦ You reflect a disciplined Christian lifestyle, including abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
For more information or to inquire about adoption...
Contact the Florida Baptist Children's Homes location nearest you.
|
