Adopt a Child

The Domestic Infant Pool Placement Program (or Pool Program) refers to adoption situations in which our agency is providing services to an expectant parent who wishes to make an adoption plan for their child and they place with one of our Pool families. Occasionally, we will work with a family who has already given birth or who wishes to place an older child but this is not typically the case.

Catholic Charities serves woman and families through Pregnancy and Parenting Support programs throughout the Diocese of Arlington. We do this through:

• Initial assessment and stabilization
• Comprehensive and unbiased pregnancy options counseling
• Ongoing counseling and case management
• Parenting support if the client’s goal is to parent
• Adoption support if the client’s goal is adoption

If a client is pursuing making an adoption plan for their child, they will select a family from our Domestic Infant Pool of Waiting Families. These families are home study approved and trained to navigate matching, pre-placement, and placement situations. As an agency, we assign a separate worker to the birth parent(s) and to the family, to ensure everyone has an advocate in the process.

We do not match an expectant parent with a family until the expectant parent is in the third trimester of pregnancy.  Prior to that, we provide ongoing counseling aimed at planning for the baby. If, after ongoing counseling and exploring all options, the client determines adoption is the best option for them and their child, they will be able to select a family. This is done to protect the family from the emotional toll of an early match when things are still uncertain and also to protect the client from any potential pressure or coercion to follow through with the adoption based on feelings of guilt. Remember — ethical adoptions foster healthy adoptions.

All adoptions through our domestic pool program are open- meaning there is some level of contact between the birth parent(s) and the adoptive family if that is the birth parent(s) desire. This level of contact can range from the family sending annual updates through the agency to ongoing visitation and contact with the birth family. Every adoption situation is different, and the agency will assist the family and birth parent in developing a plan for openness that works for all. We also focus a great deal on preparing for and navigating openness in training, so if this is a concept that is new to you, be sure to wait until training to determine your level of comfort with it.

Open adoption provides benefits to each member of the adoption triad. For the birth parents, it assists in navigating the grief and loss process by seeing evidence of their child thriving and happy in the adoption that they chose for their child and ensures they can be a part of their child’s life, even though chose not to parent.

For the adoptive parents, it provides important links to their child’s birth family and history, gives them opportunities to invest in their child’s self-image and worth by building positive relationships with the child’s birth family, increases their empathy towards birth parents and results in benefits in their relationship with their child.

Adopted children are more satisfied for their identity as being adopted when there is an ongoing relationship with their birth family, it helps them to make sense of their adoption and leads to higher self esteem and increased trust in their adoptive parents.

Adoption is deeply emotional and complex. Families should choose a licensed and reputable agency to assist in navigating this process with. When it comes to infant adoption especially, there is so much to be cautious of and sadly, there are a great deal of unethical practices that prey on hopeful adoptive families and woman in crisis.

To learn more about choosing an adoption provider, check out our blog: Adoption Options: Who Should We Work With? and be sure to send us an inquiry to get more information about our programs.

1 – Information gathering

To learn more about any of our adoption programs, please complete this short inquiry form and we will send additional information via email.

2 – Identify a placing agency

For interstate adoptions, you will need to have another placing agency in the United States.

Since laws differ among states, it is helpful to ask questions pertaining to their agency and state. For instance, you may ask about about eligibility requirements and “pass through” fees. Also note, the length of time when a birth mother can revoke her entrustment (also known as “legal risk period”) varies depending on each state.

3 – Application

You may apply online once you have submitted our online inquiry form above and have reviewed all of our program information. The non-refundable application fee is $500.

If you have already identified an interstate placing agency, you will include the name and contact information on your application.

4 – Social worker assigned

Your social worker will contact you shortly after receiving your application. An initial meeting will be scheduled.

5 – Initial meeting

The initial meeting occurs at our office. Your application and the home study process will be discussed. You will need to bring your birth certificate(s), marriage license(s), divorce decree/annual paper(s), and most recent two 1040’s. You will also need to bring a check for the home study fee.

6 – Pre-adopt training

The pre-adopt training may be completed at various points in the home study process, but it needs to be completed prior to home study finalization.

7 – Paperwork

Your social worker will work with you to ensure all paperwork is completed in a timely manner throughout the home study process. Your social worker will provide you with a paperwork checklist that will need to be completed prior to the home study approval.

Individual session

(Client #1)

• Each applicant will complete one individual session with the social worker. The individual session typically lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours and occurs at the office during business hours. During the individual session, your social worker will ask you various questions regarding your personal history, family, career, values, and so on.

Individual session

(Client #2; if applicable)

• Each applicant will complete one individual session with the social worker. The individual session typically lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours and occurs at the office during business hours. During the individual session, your social worker will ask you various questions regarding your personal history, family, career, values, and so on.

8 – Home visit

The home visit is typically the final step in the home study process. During this visit, your social worker will tour your home and complete a safety checklist.

9 – Home study approved

In Virginia, your home study is valid for three years. However, please note, if you are pursuing interstate, international, or Waiting Child adoption, you may need to have updates for your home study in compliance with the regulations of other states/countries.

To ensure all of our families are meeting ongoing licensure requirements, your social worker will continue to check-in and monitor your home after you are home study approved. You will notify your social worker if there are any significant changes in your home, family, and/or daily life. You will also attend at least one annual training at our office. Please see the calendar for upcoming dates.

10 – Send home study to agency

Your social worker will send your approved home study to your other agency.

11 – Matched with child

Your placement agency will match you with a child based on your preferences.

12 – Travel to state

You will travel to your child’s state when it is time for the birth parent(s) to sign entrustments and place the child in your care. You will need to remain in your child’s state until approved to return to Virginia through the ICPC office. Once approved, you are permitted to return to Virginia with your child.

Please visit the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) website for more information.

13 – Return to Virginia

You will report to your Catholic Charities social worker upon returning to Virginia with your child to schedule the first post-placement supervision visit.

14 – Hire an adoption attorney

You will need to hire an adoption attorney to help you navigate the laws to finalize your adoption.

Click here for information on adoption attorneys, but not limited to.

15 – Post-placement supervision

Your post-placement supervision requirements are dependent upon what state you finalize your child’s adoption. If finalizing in Virginia, your social worker will conduct three post-placement visits over a six month period. If you are finalizing in the state where your child was born, your interstate agency will tell you the laws of supervision for their jurisdiction. Your Catholic Charities social worker will follow the state regulations wherever you are finalizing.

The purpose of these visits is to talk about family dynamics, learn about the child’s health and development, and to continue to support you through your adoption journey.

16 – Adoption finalization

Prior to adoption finalization, your interstate agency will maintain legal custody and you will maintain physical custody of your child. Once the adoption is finalized, the court will issue the Final Order of Adoption.

17 – Request for new birth certificate

Once the Final Order of Adoption is received, your placing agency or attorney applies for the amended birth certificate including your names as parents and the name you have given to the child. It will take several months for the birth certificate to be received from Vital Records. Upon receipt of amended birth certificate, the adoptive parents apply for a Social Security card.

Special needs could include but are not limited to:

• Babies not yet born who have a prenatal diagnosis such as Down Syndrome and other genetic anomalies; heart defects and limb abnormalities, and other conditions
• Babies who experienced traumatic births that resulted in cerebral palsy or other neurological issues or micro preemie babies or babies who are born exposed to drugs and require medical intervention
• Children in the U.S. foster care system with medical needs and are available for adoption

• Approximately 67% of woman who are given a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome choose to terminate the pregnancy.
• You do not need prior medical experience to care for a child with medical needs but must be willing to learn and to navigate medical system(s).
• In addition to being added onto the adoptive family’s insurance, adopted children are eligible for Medicaid as a secondary insurance.
• Adopted children with special needs are eligible for Adoption Subsidy, which is a recurring payment to the adoptive family to assist the family in addressing the special needs of the child.
• Grants are also available to adoptive families to help cover the costs associated with special needs adoption.
• Catholic Charities provides ongoing adoption support, from the home study, match and placement through subsidy application, connecting with local resources, and adoption finalization. We remain a lifelong support to all our adoptive families.

Catholic Charities serves biological parents throughout the Diocese who are interested in making an adoption plan for their child and we are currently in need of more families that are open to welcoming special needs children. In addition to working directly with families in our locality, we have had success working with other entities who help find adoptive families for children with disabilities such as The National Down Syndrome Adoption Network. Families who enroll in this program will work closely with Catholic Charities to pursue various avenues that may lead to adoption to include working with interstate adoption agencies or adoption networks.

Catholic Charities Special Needs Adoption focus is an authentically pro-life response to our mission to serve the most vulnerable among us. To inquire about the adoption program, please complete this brief questionnaire. We will be in touch!

National Down Syndrome Adoption Network

NACAC: Adoption Assistance in Virginia

Our Fiat: Saying ‘Yes’ to the Unknown in Adoption

When families decide to bring a child into their home through adoption they are responding generously to the call of the human heart. Many families hope to adopt an infant. However, the greatest need, is for families open to adopting an older child or children who are especially vulnerable and at risk, including infants with special needs. This includes:

• Children and/or sibling sets who are in foster care (locally and throughout the country) who hope to be adopted. Check out www.AdoptUSKids.org to see some of the children seeking forever families.
  • Most children who have been in foster care have experienced loss and trauma that may cause them to have special emotional, behavioral, and sometimes physical needs. Families seeking to adopt mist be prepared to meet these needs, but parents don’t have to do it alone. Catholic Charities will equip you with the tools to meet these needs, create a safe and healing home, and help these children thrive.

• Some 100,000 children living in foster care are waiting for their forever families.
• The average age of a child awaiting adoption is 8 years old.
• A majority of the time, siblings are separated when entering foster care or completing adoption.
• Catholic Charities provides ongoing adoption support, from the home study, match, and placement through subsidy application, connecting with local resources, and adoption finalization. We remain a lifelong support to all our adoptive families.

You Open Your Heart and We’ll Give you the Tools

• Ongoing adoption support and education, from the home study process, match and placement, subsidy negotiations, placement, post placement and adoption finalization.
• Frequent post placement visits and contact with you and your adopted child(ren) to assist with the transition, provide support and complete necessary documentation until the adoption is finalized.
• Monthly support groups and education for waiting adoptive families
• Annual events and training opportunities for families who have already placed or adopted

Good to know

• In addition to being added onto the adoptive family’s insurance, adopted children are eligible for Medicaid as a secondary insurance.
• Adopted children with special needs are eligible for Adoption Subsidy, a recurring payment to adoptive family to assist the family in addressing the special needs of the child.Grants are available to adoptive families to help cover the costs of special needs adoptions.

If you would like information on adopting a child through Catholic Charities, please complete this short inquiry form and we will send you more information.

Our “Waiting Child Adoption” program seeks to set your family up for success, and to be a live-long resource for adoptive families. After you complete a foster care adoption class your social worker will help you through the home study process, and teach the skills needed to care for and help heal a hurt child. Training includes but is not limited to:

• Parent Resources for Information, Development and Educations (PRIDE) or National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents (NTDC) Foster/Adoption Training
• Trauma-Informed Parenting
• Exposure and Application to Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI)

Once you are home study-approved, we work with you in the matching process. Inquiries and the ultimate decision will go to the child’s legal guardian — typically the social worker with the local social services.

Families are matched with children by:

• Local referrals

Efforts will always be made to keep children close to their community. We work with Virginia public and private agencies to process their requests for adoptive families and to make sure they know about our available families.

• AdoptUSKids

This national database lists children currently in the foster care system who are available for adoption. Our families set up their own adoptive family profile then search the database for children and request more information about those children.

• Other Adoption Databases

Families can access other state or agency specific listings to search for children available for adoption before they are posted to the National Database. Your worker will provide you with a list of these resources.

• Older Child Adoption Referrals (non-foster care)

When we are asked to match an older child with an adoptive family, we consider our Waiting Child families because they have the background and training that best equips them for adopting a child over age 2.

• Marketing & Relationships

Catholic Charities staff have extensive experience working in public and private foster care and can effectively build relationships and share relevant information about your family. We promote our waiting families by:

• Attending and promoting matching events
• Featuring waiting/available families to counties/agencies in a quarterly newsletter
• Developing and distributing family flyers for sharing with social workers when inquiring about a child

We advocate for our families every step of the way to help you navigate the complex child welfare system.

NACAC: Adoption Assistance in Virginia

Our Fiat: Saying ‘Yes’ to the Unknown in Adoption

Blog Post: Adoption and Child Wellness

Charlett’s Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP0dS3H1mWg