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ADOPTION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Philosophy
Saint Francis Community Services cares for children and families through family-focused and community-based delivery systems. Saint Francis strives to strengthen children and families by identifying the child’s and families strengths and building upon those strengths. It is our prayer that children find a forever family in which they can grow, heal,l and be productive members of society.

Team Concept
As a prospective adoptive family, we will work together to help meet the needs of the children while developing short-term and long-term family support. Saint Francis believes that addressing the concerns as a family will best meet the needs of the child and parents while building and developing bonds and attachments.

The Support
Saint Francis is dedicated to the success of families. The adoption team will work with you in identifying support and services to build a network of support. Adoption team members are here and ready to assist you in starting a family and/or enhancing your family. The Adoption Team is available 24/7 to listen to, guide, and support you in your parenting of a child with special needs. A Saint Francis Team Member will visit your home at minimum, once a month to help you identify needs, give support, and encourage the growth of your family. You are free to contact your Adoption Team Member anytime you are in need of guidance or support. After your adoption has legalized, you will continue receiving support for one year. An Aftercare Plan is developed with you and your Adoption Team to best meet the needs of the family. This plan will include monthly contact and in-home visits based on your requests.

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to adopt?
You must be over the age of 21, employed, have room in your home, and have the love to share with a child that needs you.
Can a single person adopt?
Single persons are allowed and encouraged to adopt. In some cases, with the past abuse and neglect situations the children have experienced, it is at times best to seek a single parent to help the child heal and move forward.
What is a home study?
Your family will be asked to complete the family assessment process. Please refer to the adoption process.
Do I have to own my own home or have a certain income and savings?
You do not have to own your own home. You may rent, live in a single family home, or an apartment. The only requirement is that you have sufficient space for all family members. Your income would need to be sufficient to meet the needs of the family.
Does the child have to have his own room?
Not necessarily. The child you adopt will acclimate into the family in the best way when they are apart of the family. If it is in the best interest of the children in the family, then the child may require a room by themselves.
How much does adoption cost?
There are no fees or cost to a family who adopts a child from the foster care system.
How long does it take to adopt?
If you are interested in adopting a special needs child from the foster care system, the adoption process can move quickly. It is also dependent on the motivation of the family and availability of training classes. Once the application for adoption is received by Saint Francis, a worker is assigned that will guide you through the process.
How do I adopt a child I know of in the community?
We must respect the rights and privacy of all children in the child welfare system. When there is a child known to a family who has interest in adoption, we will work to help facilitate an adoption if possible while following agency policies and procedures to respect the child’s privacy.
Are there any babies?
When children enter the foster care system the agency looks for positive connections the child has in their life and assesses if they can provide care while the family works to make changes to have the child returned home on reintegration with their birth family. If an infant enters care and has no such connections, the child will be placed with a Resource Family. Should reintegration not be possible, the agency will look at the bonds the child has, as often children are adopted by their caregivers be they the kin or Resource family who has been providing their care.
What does “special needs” mean?
All of the children who are waiting for an adoptive family have experienced abuse, neglect, or some other circumstance which caused them to be permanently separated from their birth parents. Many of these children have special needs resulting from these traumatic experiences; therefore, they need a loving, supportive, healing place to call home.
What type of support will we receive as adoptive parents?
Prior to and after your child is placed in the home, you will receive education about the foster care system and the trauma children have experienced. You will have training on specialized parenting skills to assist you in helping the child through the healing process. This support is provided by the adoption team and other community partners.
After the child is placed in our home, what are the next steps?
After your child is placed in the home, your family will receive monthly visits and phone calls from your adoption social worker, adoption worker, and/or family support worker. During the following 6 to 12 months, the child will acclimate to the family and support services are put in place. After this acclimation period, you will proceed to legalization.
Is there help after we adopt the child?
When a child is placed in the home of an adoptive family a placement agreement is made and a service plan developed with the family. At the time the adoption is legalized, an aftercare plan will be developed by you and your adoption worker. This plan will assure you of continued services and support for one year after you finalize the adoption.
Are there still tax credits available to adoptive parents?
Please check with your Tax Professional, as the Adoption Tax Credit is a renewable tax credit and is subject to change.
Why is the court system involved?
The court is involved, just as Saint Francis and other community agencies, to protect the best interests of the child.
Will we need to hire an attorney?
Yes, to legalize the adoption. Frequently the attorney fees are reimbursable and can be paid directly to the attorney.
Are we required to maintain contact with the birth family members?
No birth family members, parents or otherwise, have any remaining legal rights to have contact with the adopted child. Once an adoption is legalized by the court, contact with birth family connections is strictly up to the adoptive parents. Parents must all determine what is safe or unsafe for their children and what connections are healthy and productive for the child. Adoptive parents have full parental rights and responsibilities that any legal parent has.
Can the birth parents get their children back?
In Kansas, children become in need of an adoptive family in one of two ways: voluntary relinquishment by the parents or termination of parental rights. Voluntary relinquishment means the parent(s) go before a judge and voluntarily give up their rights and responsibility to parent the child. Termination of parental rights is the determination in a court of law that they are unable and/or unwilling to parent the child and the judge terminates their parental rights. Either way, the parents are unable to come back later and regain custody of their children.
Can I adopt more than one child?
Yes, there are hundreds of children who are waiting for a loving family just like yours. What determines the ability to adopt more than one child are the needs of the children you are interested in adopting, the support you have, and your ability to parent multiple children.

The Adoption Process

Adoption is a wonderful way to begin a family, or to expand your family. There are several steps in the process of becoming an adoptive family. The decision to become an adoptive family should be made by all members of the family as adoption will impact all family members. Adoptive parents are making a lifetime commitment to a child.

To begin, you will be asked to complete an adoption application. This application asks general questions regarding the family members, home address, contact information, employment information, and references. You will be asked to complete an autobiographical questionnaire. This gives the agency information about the parents and children within the family and your life experiences. This gives insight to the agency and aids in helping to match the family strengths to the needs of the child. Other forms you will be asked to complete are K.B.I. background check (including fingerprints), the Child Abuse & Neglect Information System background check, employment verification, driver’s license verification, and health assessments on all members of the family. This may sound overwhelming, but is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in care. This is the vehicle which we use to make the best decision that will impact the life of a child and your family.

There are two adoption avenues:

  1. Adoption placement of a child who is legally free for adoption but at the time the child (or sibling group of children) has no identified adoptive family resource.
  2. Foster-to-Adopt placement of a child who’s parental rights are not yet terminated, but the goal is adoption because reintegration to the birth parents is no longer a viable option.
We prefer that children have the opportunity to settle into a resource family before they lose their legal ties to the birth parents. Loss and grieving are always a part of any adoption, but if the family who will be adopting is caring for the child going through that process with them when the parent rights are ending, it is always helpful.

Foster Care to Adoption:
The children in the care of SFCS have experienced many losses in their short lives. As a result of this loss, care and concern for their emotional well-being is put first and foremost. Children free for adoption that need a foster care to adoption placement need additional time in which to acclimate into the new family. This time also allows for needed services to be put in place to help to support the adoptive family and child. It gives the child time to see how they “fit” into the family and if they are willing to agree to the adoption. Children age 14 and older must consent to being adopted.

Families exploring adoption as a means of expanding their families are encouraged to become licensed foster parents. This serves two purposes. First, the family would be approved and ready to accept a child with whom they could best meet the needs. Second, it will give the family the opportunity to possibly provide other adoptive families with respite for a few hours, over night, or a weekend. This is an excellent opportunity for adoptive families to build resources and a network of foster and adoptive families to turn to for advice and support. It also helps them determine the ages and personalities of children who will best “fit” into the family.

Why Adoption?
Why should I consider adoption as a way of beginning a family or expanding my family? This may be a question you have pondered. There are hundreds of children in Kansas who are waiting for a loving, caring, supportive place to call home. Adoption is a means in which many people have employed to have a family.

What does adoption provide to the children who are waiting? Adoption answers prayers. Children need a forever family, a place to grow up and feel safe, secure, and most importantly…LOVED! 		 
 
 
Saint Francis Community Services, Incorporated    A donor-supported child welfare ministry embracing the Episcopal tradition of service since 1945