about . about
           
.


 

Frequently Asked
Questions

  

Orientation

Monthly orientations are provided to prospective adoptive parents seeking information about the infant adoption process. For those interested in older child (fost/adopt) adoptions, information is provided on a one-on-one basis and through regularly scheduled information group meetings.

Counseling

A social worker will work for you in making your dream of becoming a parent a reality. HFS provides a social worker to assist a birth parent and another social worker who works on your behalf. Each social worker advocates for their client creating the best possible outcome for each. When everyone's needs are met, the adoption is a healthier one.

Education/Workshops

Parenting education and workshops are provided as part of the adoption process. Having the opportunity to learn important and strong parenting skills is part of the adoption program at HFS.

For those wishing to adopt an older child, Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) classes are provided. This 10-week course is designed for introspection and to learn what to expect from a child who has lived in an unhealthy home environment and been in foster care for an extended period of time. These classes are mandatory for older child adoptions.

Fees

Our infant adoption fee is $18,000. Our birth parent fund covers all birth parent expenses, eliminating large medical and hospital bills. Adoptive parents make a one time $3,000 contribution to this fund as part of the process. Legal finalization fees range from $500-$800.

PALS (Parents Awaiting With Loving Support)

If you are a prospective adoptive parent waiting to be matched with a child, Holy Family Adoptive Parents invite you to become part of the PALS group. PALS is a group organized and led by HFS Adoptive Parents! They have walked in your shoes. They know what you're going through. They offer emotional support and an empathetic ear.

Holy Family Adoptive Parents (HFAP)

After approval, you must wait until your child comes along. HFAP's PALS group provides support as you wait. This group allows you to discuss your excitement, anxiety and hopes and dreams with other adoptive parents who have gone through the process. They understand.

Once your child is placed in your home, HFAP social events and fundraising activities allows adoptive families to interact and make friends with other adoptive families.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between HFS and other adoption providers

HFS is a nonprofit agency and is licensed by California to provide services. Agencies must meet strict rules and regulations as set forth by their governing bodies. Attorneys are also licensed by the State and must meet regulations. With an agency or an attorney, you have the right to file a grievance, if you feel you have not been treated well. Adoption attorneys charge either by the hour or by the adoption. Adoption facilitators are not licensed; they have no rules or regulations governing their actions. There is no oversight of facilitators; there is no governing body to which to file a grievance.

Why do birth parents contact HFS?

Most of the time, because they have heard comforting words about our work with birth parents. Outreach workers are in constant touch with organizations in the five counties of Southern California. Beyond schools and churches, outreach workers provide education to nurses and social workers at hospitals, clinics, colleges, and other health related community organizations. Legal rights of birth parents, appropriate adoption language, and other adoption related information is shared.

Will I know the family and baby's health history?

As much information as is obtained is provided to prospective adoptive parents of any child placed through HFS. HFS social workers obtain as much information as possible, with the understanding that this information is critical to everyone involved.

What's the first step?

The first step is to call 800-464-2367 and arrange to attend one of our monthly orientations. At the orientation, you'll learn about our process, the fees, the wait, and the support system.

You'll hear from an HFS family and have the time to ask questions. At this event, you'll receive a packet of information. You'll fill out and return the registration form. Upon receipt of your application, the intake worker will contact you. Adoptive parents are assigned a social worker who will act as their advocate during the process. (Birth parents have their own social workers advocating on their behalf.) The home study is the most time-consuming part of the process. Once the home study is approved, a child may be placed in your home.

How long will it be before a baby is placed?

Much depends on the adoptive parents. How quickly will the registration be filled out and returned? How soon will the home study paperwork be completed, and if necessary, corrections handled? (Example: A swimming pool requires fencing, how long will it take to have the fence in place?) After the home study is approved, the wait has been anywhere from 18 months to 36 months and sometimes longer depending on the specific desires of the adoptive family. For those desiring a certain race, weight, health, hair or eye color, the time will be longer than for those open to the variety of children.

Do you offer older child adoptions and how does the process differ?

This is generally recognized as "Fost-Adopt." Much of the process is the same, except the child (or children) may enter the home more quickly. A home study is completed after which the matching begins. The toddlers and older children are generally foster children whose parental rights have been, or are in the process of being, terminated by the courts. This adoption process is usually referred to as Fost-Adopt. The match is made and the child enters the home as a foster child with the clear understanding that the child is being adopted by that family.

Do you offer single parents the opportunity to adopt?

Yes; and the process is the same. Our infant adoptions are open adoptions which means that birth parents choose the adoptive family for their child. Many prefer two parents; however, that is not always the case. Fost-Adopt children (toddlers, older and sibling sets) are often placed in single parent homes.

Back to the top of this page.