Domestic Program :: Process

You can trust that New Life will streamline the adoption process; we are committed to doing our best to make sure your adoption is smooth, easy and joyful!

The steps in your adoption journey are straightforward, yet the experience is as unique as you and the child you are ultimately united with. It is easy for us to tell you about the steps involved; however, it is impossible for us completely prepare you for the remarkable experience of adoption that awaits you.

Here are a few quick highlights of the Process:

• Attend a Free Seminar or meet with a New Life Representative to learn about adoption
• Complete and submit a Pre-Application, which will be promptly reviewed by New Life's professional team
• Complete and submit an Adoption Application with your New Client Fee
• Complete the first packet of paperwork which prepares your file for you to go into Home Study  
• Meet with your Social Worker and complete your home study
• Finish you final packet of paperwork which allows New Life to complete your file
• With New Life's help complete your Adoptive Parent Profile
• Write a "Dear Birth Parent Letter" with the support and input from New Life's team

Now we hope you are ready to learn more about the entire process, which we will fully describe for you- just continue on and we will walk you through each step

All you have to do to start your adoption process is come to one of New Life’s free information seminars, we offer them across New York State in various locations. If you are unable to attend, we also provide phone or office consultations. Simply call us to register for a seminar or to schedule a consultation.

You will complete a pre-application which asks you for very general information about yourself, your background, employment, financial stability, medical history and the members of your household. There is a minimal fee associated with the pre-application for administrative services. New Life will review your pre-application within two (2) business days, to ensure you will meet the necessary requirements for a successful adoption. If we identify an area that may require your attention, we will discuss it with you as well as outline your options for moving forward. We can never make guarantees; you can however be certain that we will be honest, communicate with you openly, be planful and thorough as we work together to help you have a successful adoption.
Next you will receive a packet that contains the adoption application, the agency’s fee schedule (New Life is a fee for service agency, you will only pay for the services you receive), disclosures statements, materials for your background checks and other general information. We encourage prospective parents to complete these items within a week and return them to us as soon as possible. When we receive your application, along with your application processing fee, you officially become a New Life client. WELCOME!!!

Within a week of New Life receiving your adoption application we will send you the next packet, which contains all the necessary materials for you to complete to enter the home study process. This packet will include employment verifications, medical examination forms, personal references, a financial statement, and a criminal conviction statement. We enclose clear instructions on how to complete the materials, along with some helpful hints and examples, yet if you have questions or get stuck just let us know. We recommend that you return materials as soon as they are completed, you do not have to hold onto to documents until everything is done, this way we can begin processing your information and preparing your file. Usually this packet only takes a few weeks to complete, it is important that you remain motivated and send your forms back as they are completed.

Prior to beginning your home study New Life must receive the following items:

Health Statements
You will be required to have a current physical exam. The agency wants to know that you are essentially healthy, have a normal life expectancy, and are able to physically and emotionally handle the care of a child. If you have a medical condition and it is under control (i.e., high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol), that usually would not be a problem. A serious health problem that affects life expectancy may prevent you from being approved.

Child Abuse and Criminal Clearances
You will be required to have criminal record and child abuse record clearances, which will include you being finger-printed. Misdemeanors committed long ago or a one time incident within the last 10 years, for which there is a credible explanation ("I was young and submitted to peer pressure.") usually does not create serious problems and can be addressed. A felony conviction (or any charge involving children or illegal substances) could negatively impact a recommendation for adoption by your social worker, depending on the nature of the case. You should reveal and discuss all criminal or arrest records no matter how long ago they happened or the nature of the situation with both New Life and your social worker. If we are aware we will be better able to guide you through the adoption process. If you do not, and the records are uncovered, it will cause issues later in the process and could potentially prevent you from completing your adoption.

Income Statement
You will be asked to demonstrate financial stability by providing a financial statement. You do not have to be wealthy to adopt, but you must show the ability to provide for the child until he or she reaches adulthood.

References
You will be asked for references from three (3) individuals. These might be a personal friend, employer, former teacher, co-worker, neighbor, or pastor. Your references will be asked to complete a standard form supplied by the agency. You should pick as references people who know you the best. They should be people who have known you over several years, seen you in various kinds of situations, visited in your home and know of your interest in children.

Before you know it you will be entering home study! Essentially, the home study is "the story of your life". You will be asked to tell about your family of origin: who reared you and their style of child rearing, how many brothers and sisters you have, and where you are in the birth order. Were you close to your parents and siblings when you were a child, are you close now, how much contact do you have with them? What are some successes or failures you have experienced? What educational level have you reached, do you plan to further your education, are you happy with your educational attainments, what do you think about education for a child? What is your employment status, your employment history, do you have plans to change employment, and do you like your current job?

If you are married, you will be asked questions about your marriage, such as how did you meet, how long did you date before you married, how long have you been married, what attracted you to each other, what are your spouse's strengths and weaknesses, about what do you agree and disagree in your marriage? How do you make decisions, solve problems, settle arguments, communicate, express feelings, and show affection? If you were married previously, you will be asked about that marriage. If you are single, you will be asked about how you anticipate integrating a child into your social life.

You will be asked to describe your ordinary routines: what is a typical week day or week-end day like? What are your hobbies and interests, your leisure time activities? What are your plans for childcare if you work outside the home? What are your experiences with children, such as relatives' children, neighborhood children, past volunteer work, baby-sitting, teaching or coaching. You may be asked some "what if" or "how would you handle this" questions regarding discipline or other parenting areas.

You will be asked about your neighborhood: how friendly you are with your neighbors, what kinds of people live nearby, is it a safe area, why did you pick this neighborhood, and are you located conveniently to community resources such as medical facilities, recreational facilities, shopping? You may be asked about religion, such as what is your religious practice and what kind of religious upbringing (if any) will you give the child.

You will be asked about adoption-related issues, such as why do you want to adopt, what kind of child do you feel you can best parent, how and when will you tell the child he or she is adopted, what do you think of birth parents who make an adoption plan for their child, how will you handle relatives' and friends' questions about adoption, can you really bond to a child not genetically related to you? Don't worry if you don't know all these answers right away! The social worker will be able to help you clarify your own thinking.

There will probably be several interviews, two to three. In the case of couples, there will potentially be individual and joint interviews. An important point here: the social worker is not visiting your home to conduct a white glove inspection! He or she simply needs to see if the child will be entering into a safe and healthy environment, and whether you have thought ahead about how you are going to accommodate the new family member.

If You Already Have Children
If you already have children, birth and/or adopted, they will be included in the home study. They might be asked to write a statement describing their feelings about having a new brother or sister. Younger children might be asked to draw a picture showing their thoughts on the subject.
The social worker may ask about the children's school, interests and hobbies, friends, and how they are rewarded and disciplined. The emphasis will be on how they see a new child fitting into the family, and whether they are prepared to share you with a new sibling. That means sharing time, attention, television selection, the bathroom, the prized seat at the kitchen table, and the many other elements that comprise family life.

Children's input is usually seen as quite important in the overall assessment of a family's readiness to adopt a child. Their feelings need to be considered and their reaction to the idea needs to be generally positive. The social worker will want to make sure that a newly adopted child will be wanted and loved by everyone in the family from the start.

Be gentle with yourself, it is natural to be nervous! Remember both the social worker and New Life want to work with you and help you adopt. You are not expected to reveal every detail of your life. Nor are you expected to be perfect. It is just important to be honest, relax, be yourself and present a true picture of your family.

After the home study is complete you will review it with your social worker, and discuss it making sure you understand his or her observations. The home study concludes with a summary and a recommendation for adoption by the social worker. You, along with your social worker, will need to sign the home study. The final home study will be sent to New Life by your social worker, and we will review it. If New Life has any questions we will contact your social worker.
After your home study is complete we will help you assemble your adoption profile, including your “Dear Birth Parents” letter along with several photographs of you, your family, house, pets; etc. The profile will show birth parents everything that you feel clearly represents you, your home and family life, along with the love and security you have to offer a child. Also, your profile can include the characteristics you are seeking in birth parents.

We encourage adoptive parents to be flexible and open minded. The more qualifications you place on the adoption (i.e.; ethnic background of the birth parents, sex of the child, age of the child, etc.), the more time it may take for us to match you with a child. We understand that you are eager to build the family of your dreams, and we want you to be satisfied. Just remember throughout your adoption journey the heart truly does not see ideals, it simply views the world through the spectacles of love.

When your paperwork is complete, clearances received confirming there are no background issues, your approved, signed home study on file and your profile finished, we will be able to actively search for a child. We have professional relationships with doctors, attorneys and social workers and others related to the adoption field throughout New York State and across the country who help us find birth parents.

Mother Nature has a keen sense; she understands that to successfully enter parenthood we need time to prepare for what lies ahead. We cannot give you a timeline for your waiting period, nor can we promise when you will be matched with a birth family. All we are able to do is assure you will do our best and we will be there to help you as you wait.

As a waiting parent you will be excited and nervous all at the same time. Knowing that the greatest event in your life is about to happen, but not knowing when it will is truly unnerving. There are helpful things you can do to ease the waiting period, some are:

• Most important be and think positive! Yes, that sounds a bit understated and naïve – but time and time again we have heard parents say that was the very best and most effective cure for the waiting jitters.
• Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings about waiting and adventure ahead.
• Read parenting books and magazines, go to the library and bookstores to look at recent children books (or some favorites from your childhood).
• Most parent share that enrolling in a regular exercise class was a terrific stress reliever.
• Join a parenting group or book group that gets together often.
• Do a few household projects that have been left undone, to give you a sense of accomplishment.
• Pick up a new hobby or take an adult enrichment class.
• Take a vacation or get away for a few escape weekends.
• Come up with inexpensive ways to indulge yourself (soaking in the tub Saturday mornings, going out to the movies mid-week, etc), knowing that when your baby is home those activities will be less frequent.
• Keep your life on an even routine, try not to make any major life changes.
• Surround yourself with family, good friends and others who are sensitive to your feelings and who can offer you affirming, positive support.

The Wait Is Over!!
When we are contacted by birth parents or have them referred to us, we will get in touch with you. If you give us your go ahead, we will confidentially present your profile and share with them the family life and love you have to offer a child. If you are selected we will call you as soon as we know (it is one of the great benefits of our job)! New Life, along with our agency attorney, will be able to handle all the adoption paperwork for you.

Unfortunately we are unable to be specific as to the cost of a domestic adoption. The reason being, each domestic adoption is different and every birth mother’s situation is different. The cost of a domestic adoption is highly dependent upon the birth mother’s situation. This may also include but is not limited to; clothing allowance, housing expenses, counseling, etc. The cost of a Domestic Adoption can vary from $20,000 to $40,000. We realize this is a very large financial range; however, once selected as adoptive parents, we will provide you with an itemized estimated budget for the adoption that will include the birth mother expenses. At that time you will be able to determine if those are finances you are able to handle prior to making a final commitment to the adoption.

As the adoption continues, we will guide you through the process step by step. We will make absolutely sure you fully understand how and when you will receive your child, and what is expected of you. We will review the paperwork with you before hand, so when you receive the final paperwork there will be no surprises. Someone from the agency or associated with New Life will be with you when you receive your child, it always incredible to see parents greet their baby for the first time (the absolute best part of our role)!

Within the first few days of having your baby home you will receive a visit from your social worker. Everyone wants to make sure your transition into family life is going smoothly, and answer any questions you have. For the first six (6) months you will be in the post-placement phase of your adoption. It is a time when you will complete monthly reports describing your child’s progress, providing the agency with pictures of your child along with medical reports completed by your family doctor. At the end of the six months your social worker will do a final report and send it to New Life. This along with other legal documents will be used to finalize your adoption. Again, New Life and its attorney will be there to help you, yet you will need your own attorney to finalize the adoption.  CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE A FAMILY!!

We know this is just a “sound-bite” of all that you will experience in your adoption process, and we cannot begin to tell you about the feelings you will have. We do want to assure you that our entire team at New Life will be there for you every step of the way, helping to make your adoption the most amazing experience life has to offer. All you have to do to start your adoption is to call us at 315-422-7300, we are here for you!