Helping Kids Transition to Adulthood

Adoption And You: 3 Things To Do When Contacting An Adoption Agency

27 December 2022

William Palmer

The reasons why people choose to adopt are highly personal and individual. Some people choose to adopt children because they cannot have biological children of their own. Others choose adoption as a way to help kids in need or to grow their existing families. Adoption agencies help individuals and families grow by sharing their love with a child in need. These are three things you can do when you contact an adoption agency to begin the adoption process: 

1. Participate in a home study.

Adoption agencies exist to serve the needs of families and children. In order to keep children safe, adoption agencies conduct background checks and home studies on prospective parents. A home study is an opportunity for an adoption professional to interview you and assess your readiness to become a parent. As the name suggests, these interviews typically take place in potential adoptive parents' homes and include an inspection of the premises. Getting your home study out of the way can help you prepare to welcome a child into your home.

2. Specify the type of child you're looking for but keep an open mind.

Adoption gives people the opportunity to choose the child that best suits their families. If you've always dreamed of raising a little boy or little girl, adoption can help you fulfill those dreams. You can choose to adopt a child of a certain gender if you desire. Many adoptive parents also have preferences about their future child's age. Adoption agencies help with the adoption of newborns, children just under 18 years of age, and all ages in between.

However, it's good to keep an open mind when considering children for adoption. Older children are less likely to be adopted, which means that choosing an older child can help you find a child and finalize their adoption sooner. You may find that a child you may not have initially considered is the one who captures your heart.

3. Consider extending your reach internationally.

Domestic adoptions allow people to find children in their state or even city of residence. However, there are children in need all around the world, and you can also consider extending the reach of your search by considering international adoption. International adoption can be a good choice for couples and individuals who would like to adopt children of a particular heritage. Children from impoverished countries often need good homes, which you can provide through the adoption process.

Contact a local adoption agency to learn more. 

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