WHICH ADOPTION PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Each family’s need is unique. We want to assist you in making the best choices for your family. There are many issues to be considered, such as personalities and resources of family members already in your home, extended family and the community in which you reside, your desire to parent, attitudes and expectations, children available, etc.
You want to feel prepared as your adoption decisions are made. Preparation and trust are important in making good choices. Guidance and excellent communication by Community Adoption Center staff can help everyone in the adoption process feel comfortable and confident.
AGENCY INFANT PROGRAM
We have a parent profile listing for those who wish to be involved in agency infant adoptions. Once a family has attended an informational session and completed a home study, they are able to apply for registration in the parent profile listing. Our listing is not a waiting list, but a pool for selection by birth parents or the agency if the birth parent requests that the agency select a family for their child. When selected and matched with a birth parent, the family will be required to pay the current program fee.
Many of the infants in this program come from various ethnic backgrounds. Families who are flexible and open to multi-racial as well as full African American infants experience the shortest wait times.
"Throughout our adoption journey there were many highs and lows, just as there were with the infertility process. The only difference, we knew that with adoption that sooner or later our baby would be in our arms. All of the social workers at CAC were so wonderful and encouraging. We knew that no matter what the question or concern, someone would get back to us asap. And when our daughter was born, I think our social worker was as excited for us as our own families were". H.S.
INDEPENDENT
Independent adoption is when birth parents and adoptive parents find one another through a source other than an adoption agency. They may meet through a physician, pastor, attorney, newspaper ad, internet site, etc. When this connection is made, an agency must become involved in the adoption process as required by state statutes.
Our staff will immediately respond to your request for birth parent counseling as well as any other needed services.
OUT OF STATE
Out-of-state adoptions occur when a child is born in one state and adopted by parents living in another state. Before a child born in one state can be taken to another state for the purpose of adoption, both the state where the child was born and the state where the child is going must give approval.
Wisconsin belongs to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). This body governs the interstate placement of children for adoption and is designed to protect children where the termination proceedings occur in one state and the adoption occurs in another.
Community Adoption Center is involved in many out-of-state adoptions each year. Our staff is extremely knowledgeable concerning this type of adoption and is ready to assist you.
INTERNATIONAL
Many people find that international adoption of infants and children is the answer to their search in completing a family.
While Community Adoption Center does not have its own international program at the present time, we can assist you in selecting the most appropriate international placing agency to meet your goal of adopting a child internationally. In addition, Community Adoption Center staff can provide you with an international home study and post-placement services as required by Wisconsin state law.
Countries: We have international contacts in many countries. It is possible to adopt a child from countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Central or South America. Costs vary by country.
Children available: Availability varies by country. Some countries seek only married couples; others accept singles. Children in sibling groups, with any medically correctable problems or with handicaps, will be available for adoption. Families willing to accept medical or developmental issues will find many children available as well as a shorter waiting time.
STEPPARENT
Adopting one's stepchild(ren) is the most common form of adoption. Stepparents who adopt their spouse's biological child become the legal co-parent, accepting all parenting and legal responsibilties and obligations pertinent to rearing the child to adulthood just as the biological parent would. The non-custodial parent agrees to terminate their parential rights over the child.
Stepparent adoptions are initiated for many reasons including changing the child's name, establishing parental rights for the stepparent, or formally declaring the legal definitions of the family unit.
Community Adoption Center can provide the required home study and court report for this type of adoption.
RELATIVE
Relative adoption is an option for anyone biologically related to a child available for adoption (like a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin),
The relative becomes the legal parent and accepts all parenting and legal responsibilities and obligations connected to raising the child to adulthood; the biological parent, whether they remain actively involved in the child's life or not waives all legal rights to the child.
Community Adoption Center staff has assisted many families with relative adoptions.
