Infant Adoption

HFS has been creating forever families since 1949. Our infant adoption program supports single parents and couples through every step of open adoption, with fixed, low fees and a dedicated social worker by your side.

Open Adoption Process

Orientation

The adoption process begins with a two-hour orientation that walks participants through the adoption process. Holy Family Services provides monthly orientations to prospective adoptive parents seeking information about the infant adoption and fost adopt programs. We equip prospective parents with a step-by-step overview of the legal, financial, and emotional process of becoming adoptive parents. HFS lays out a clear framework for what’s required by state law to qualify to become adoptive parents.

Registration

Once the orientation step is completed, HFS provides a registration packet that includes self-study materials and intake forms. Individuals and/or couples who choose to proceed submit their completed materials along with a non-refundable $100 registration fee, which initiates the intake interview.

Application

Upon completion of the intake interview, prospective parents will receive an application. This detailed packet includes a checklist of ALL California requirements for adoption, including medical clearances, criminal background checks, birth and/or marriage certificates, financial disclosure forms, references, etc.

Training

HFS will provide prospective parents pursuing infant adoption with specialized training to enhance their knowledge of child development and parenting skills specific to the needs of adopted children. Our education workshops include state-required courses for infant adoption.

Home Study

After applicants have completed the application packet and attended the related training, HFS will conduct one-on-one and couple interviews (if applicable). HFS will also evaluate the home for safety. This information is collected to create a family analysis or home study.

All State of California adoptions require an official home study that evaluates the qualifications of prospective adoptive parents. The home study considers prospective parents’ personal history, financial stability, medical well-being, and current home safety. HFS walks individuals and families through the process in a respectful and non-judgmental way.

Matching & Placement

Once prospective parents have received an approved home study, they are approved for adoption, and the matching process begins. For infant adoption, birth parents have the opportunity to select the adopting family.

Post-Placement

After the child is placed in the home, HFS will remain involved until the adoption is formally completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between HFS and other adoption providers?

HFS is a nonprofit agency, accredited through The Joint Commission, and licensed by California to provide all adoption and foster care services. We work with birth parents and adoptive parents. Do the trainings and home studies for our adoptive families, can take relinquishments from birth parents, and provide post-adoption services to our clients. Agencies must meet strict rules and regulations as set forth by their governing bodies and are audited by the counties we work with.

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. Attorneys terminate parental rights and can be a mediator between the two parties. Attorneys cannot complete home studies for adoptive families and will not provide post-adoption assistance once the adoption is complete.

Adoption facilitators are small businesses that only have a small business license; 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. All that they provide to adoptive families is a matching service with birth parents. They often work hand in hand with attorneys to terminate parental rights, but they cannot supervise an adoptive family or approve them to adopt. It is hard sometimes to know if an organization is a facilitator or agency. Things to look for are: they will say the family will need to get approved to adopt; they work throughout the US (agencies are approved by each county they work in).

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.

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

HFS provides our adoptive families with the hospital records of the mother and baby from birth and will ask the birth parents to also complete forms regarding family medical history. We develop a close relationship with our birth parents to make sure that all pertinent information is shared for the sake of the child. We ask about medical, psychological, and social backgrounds of our birth parents so that our adoptive families know the risks and concerns as soon as we know.

How long will it take before the baby is placed?

Much depends on the adoptive parents. How quickly the family completes the registration and then the application. The home study process can take some time, depending on the difficulty in getting documents and available times for interviews. Also, there may need to be changes made in your home for approval, such as pool fencing. Our social workers will walk you through the process the whole step of the way.

Once the home study is approved, the wait can take anywhere from 18 months to 36 months and sometimes longer depending on the specific desires of the adoptive family. For those specifying one race or gender, the wait will be longer than for those who do not specify. Please keep in mind that birth parents often are the ones who choose the adoptive family. We provide the birth parents with photo books of the families that are open to her situation. Obviously, the more you are shown, the more likely you are to have a shorter wait.

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

This is generally recognized as “Fost-Adopt,” where you are adopting children in the foster care system. Much of the approval process is the same, except the child (or children) may enter the home more quickly, and you have more ages to choose from. The children are generally foster children whose parental rights have been, or are in the process of being, terminated by the courts, and the court is looking for permanent families for these children. The match is made with the county social work staff, and the child enters the home as a foster child with the clear understanding that the child is being adopted by that family. There are greater risks with this type of adoption since the primary goal of foster care is for the child to return to their family. Only in cases where the family of origin is unable to parent, and no family members come forward, will the county social worker look for an adoptive family to adopt. Please note that the majority of foster youth in need of adoptive homes are minorities and/or have large sibling groups that would like to stay together.

Some of our families choose to be approved for both our Fost-Adopt and infant programs. We will work with you regarding this choice because we understand that your ultimate goal is to add to your 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 do prefer two parents; however, that is not always the case. Usually, our single applicants do wait longer, but the wait is worth it! Additionally, our Fost-Adopt program also accepts single applicants. Their wait is usually shorter, depending on the amount of children and the age/ethnicity they are open to.

Counseling

HFS provides separate social workers to assist birth parents and prospective parents. Each social worker advocates on behalf of their client to create the best possible outcome for the child and for all parties involved. 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.

Fees

HFS prides ourselves in keeping the cost of infant adoption fixed and low. Please contact us by calling us at (213) 202-3900 or email us at info@hfs.org and come to one of our orientations to learn the current amount and payment schedule.

Holy Family Adoption and Foster Care Agency Misrepresented in Adoption Scam

Infant Adoption

Infant Adoption

HFS has been creating forever families since 1949. Our infant adoption program supports single parents and couples through every step of open adoption, with fixed, low fees and a dedicated social worker by your side.

Open Adoption Process

Orientation

Registration

Application

Training

Home Study

Matching & Placement

Post-Placement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between HFS and other adoption providers?

What’s the first step?

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

How long will it take before the baby is placed?

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

Do you offer single parents the opportunity to adopt?

Counseling

Education / Workshops

Fees

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