FREQUENT
QUESTIONS? SERVICES...........FEES....... Does your agency provide child placement?
We do assist with childplacement but remember------
Child
placement can ONLY be done by a birthparent. Can we assist you with the entire process? Yes.
Let's explain---------"NO ONE" can provide child placement but the birthparent. Think about that for
a moment and it makes perfect sense. A birthparent has legal and physical custody of her child
upon birth and only she can make the decision to transfer that custody to another party.
Private agencies can provide ( and are encouraged and directed by the NC adoption
code) the legal documents, counseling, coordination and assist with all the necessary arrangements to coordinate
the adoption. Private agencies can provide all the criteria necessary for the adoption of a child according
to the NC adoption laws. Dr. Julia Childers is licensed to provide adoption services and holds a separate license as
an LCSW which allows for counseling services, consultations and coordination of social work services.She has worked with children
and families since 1984---YES---1984!
NC Adoption Law
also provides for fees to be paid to licensed counselors and social workers to provide services related to an adoption.
Dr. Childers is a licensed social worker in the state of NC and fees for social worker services are allowable
under the NC adoption law.
We provide services
for North Carolina couples with an approved Home Study completed by our agency. However, you may already have your adoption
situation with a birthparent you located. We will still provide your home study and post placement visits.
Your fees would be only for the home study, home inspection, post placement
visits and your Court Report. By obtaining your home study from our agency, you not only are made aware of our
agency situations, but you can network on your to locate your own adoption situation. We will still provide your adoption
services for you and guide you through the process.
IF YOU HAVE your own situation and you would like Dr. Childers to coordinate and manage that situation for you, she
can provide counseling, consultations, and coordinations for social work situations. Dr. Childers can work out a fee
schedule for you that addresses the specific services you need for your situation. Since every situation is different,
fees will vary. However, you will be in charge of choosing what you would like Dr. Childers to do for you and your situation.
She will assure that you are following the adoption laws here in NC and work to make your adoption process as stressfree and
positive as possible. Most other NC agencies charge a fee just to send in an application. Therei
s no"registration fee" here either. Dr.Childers understands that each and every situation is unique and arranges
the fees to be tailored to your needs and the needs of your birthparents.
WHY USE AN AGENCY THAT
PROVIDES MORE THAN HOME STUDIES? Good question. Unless you already
have an adoption situation, you will be best served by using an agency that provides your home study and "assists"
in the coordination of child placement. NC agencies refer to this as an "AGENCY ASSISTED ADOPTION."
In this process, the agency already knows you and your expectations, needs, and desires. Direct
and independent Child placement will coordinate more easily with this information already available. Since our agency completes
your Home Study, you may be informed of any adoption situations from birthparents contacting us for assistance.
You may still continue to network and seek situations on your own. As previously explained--If you secure your
own adoption situation, we can assist you with your adoption services as required by law. We will also help you seek
reputable and solid adoption professionals to assist you and
your birthparents as needed.
IF WE HAVE A HOME STUDY WITH ANOTHER
AGENCY, CAN YOU STILL WORK WITH US? Sorry, No. Let me explain. The couples
that have trusted our agency to provide their home study also receive information about possible adoption situations that
may come available to our agency. It would be unfair to them to assist with a placement to a couple that is with another
agency. To be respectful to those who have trusted us, you would have to hold an approved home study from our agency.
We feel honored with the clients we serve and we want to treat them with priority.
WHAT
TYPE OF ADOPTION DO YOU PROVIDE? We provide agency assisted
direct placements like many of our other agencies here in NC. We provide open, semi-open and closed adoptions.
We assist our birthparents with the type of adoption they are seeking. Based on their desires, we are able to present our
couples as adoptive candidates. The birthparent(s) can then begin to choose the couple to obtain more information about.
With your permission, we begin the process of sharing information. Our agency coordinates child placement usually within the
state of North Carolina. On occaison, you may accept an adoption situation in which your child will be born in another state.
This is an INTERSTATE adoption and we complete those adoptions for you as well. We will assure all your adoption
requirements for North Carolina and the other state are easily met.
DO YOU OFFER INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION?
No, we focus on serving the children of North Carolina and the United States. Adoptions that occur within the United States
are called DOMESTIC ADOPTIONS. Remaining here in your state is a more affordable and less stressful adoption.
THERE ARE CHILDREN RIGHT HERE IN THE USA THAT NEED HOMES AND LOVING PARENTS!!!!!!!
WHAT OTHER SERVICES DOES YOUR AGENCY PROVIDE? As previously mentioned, we provide Home Studies PROMPTLY.
We also provide the required home visit, home inspections, post placement visits, post placement written reports, Court Reports,
counseling and case management.
Two post placement visits
are required within a 4 month period here in North Carolina. If more visits are required,---for example, you traveled
to another state to receive placement------ we will address that with you in advance. After those visits,
a Report is issued to your County Court to finalize your adoption. Our paperwork explains in detail your fees and when they
are due.
DO YOU HAVE AN AGENCY FEE?
There is no agency fee to receive services from our agency. This is a confusing term. Some agencies require a
fee in order to submit your application and information. Some require a fee just to register with them. We
do not. However, there are "agency fees" which are our regular fees for home studies, home inspections,
post placement visits, Court Reports, Interstate documents etc......These fees are paid at the time your services are needed.
Counseling fees and social worker fees are always presented in advance if you choose to retain her to arrange your adoption.
Your first meeting for your home study is held in our Newton, NC office
and your fee for that home study IS DUE AT THAT TIME. A LIST OF FEES ARE AVAILABLE
IN OUR INFORMATION PACKET.
Your home inspection fee and your post placement visits/report
fees are due at the time of those visits unless otherwise specified. Your Court Report will be be billed to you.
We also provide counseling. Julia Childers is a licensed clinical social worker and provides
counseling. Crisis counseling is a field of expertise for Dr. Childers. We can counsel with you as a couple, and with
women in crisis about their very emotional decision to place their baby for adoption. There is never
a charge for a woman considering placing a child for adoption. We are here to provide information and referrals and
we are ALWAYS PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. We also counsel with Birthfathers and encourage their input.
We also counsel with birthparents through the entire adoption process, making them constantly aware
of their choices, their rights, and what may be best for her as well as her baby---even if that means parenting. We encourage
successful adoption for both parties----THE ADOPTIVE COUPLE AND THE BIRTHPARENTS! Using this combination of care and professionalism,
our success rate is high. We are also available to birthparents after placement to assist them as needed.
DO
YOU PROVIDE STEP PARENT ADOPTIONS? No, we no longer offer this service.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A HOME VISIT?
Your home visit will be a prearranged visit. We do not wear white gloves,
and check your closets and dresser drawers. We do not question friends or neighbors. Homes do not need to be perfect ~ just
a comfortable safe Christian environment to raise your child.
DO
YOU NEED TO WRITE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY?
Writing autobiographies can take months to complete. At ADOPTIONS you are not required
to write autobiographies. You will be required to fill out some informational forms to help us complete the report.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE THE COMPLETED HOMESTUDY?
Once you
have turned in all the required documents, your homestudy will be completed within 30 days of your office visit. Failure
to turn in your completed package can delay your homestudy by days or weeks.
CAN
YOU EXPEDITE A HOMESTUDY?
Rarely has ADOPTIONS had to expedite a homestudy. We are efficient in getting our homestudies
completed faster then most other adoption agencies. But if expedition is needed, we can assist you. Our ordinary homestudy
time is usually less than all other agencies expedited homestudy completion times. Emergency studies cost are figured on a
case by case basis. Determined ONLY by the location the couple resides and how long the travel time is to visit the couple.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS AND FEES? . We are an affordable
adoption agency! Over the past few years the adoptions we have assisted with have ranged from 8500.00- 19,000.00---------Many
factors cause the difference in fees. This is the total costs of adoptions------the fee includes--agency costs and the
costs you pay separately to your attorney and any birthparent expenses.
You NEVER pay fees until you are entered into an adoption situation AND consulted with about the
specific services that are needed for your situation. Fees charged are for the counseling, social work services,
travel, management and coordination of services leading to child placement. EACH SITUATION IS DIFFERENT THEREFORE COSTS ARE DIFFERENT. FEES WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH YOU IN ADVANCE
We encourage you to be financiually prepared "before" you meet with us. Our fees remain
lower than most other agencies. Many folks believe that Adoptions and the workers who work tirelessly to coordinate
them are free. This is a myth. There are many expenses connected with adoption agencies. ---The physical
business itself and the costs to run the agency.--- Rent, utilities, travel, office supplies, advertisements, etc. are
costly expenses. We are not at all interested in working with those that want to complain or whine about the cost of
adoption. There is no apology for that statement. Over the years, many have advised us they are financially prepared
and then when presented with a situation--inform us that their funds are not ready----Adoption should not be a financial stresssor
but the reality is--it is not free----and we do not work for free. Our work is hard,long hours, and emotional. Babies
are not born from Monday-Friday 9am-5pm-----Adoption work is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Holidays and weekends---Again,
while it is not free--we think our fees are more than fair. We encourage everyone to look at all agencies and fees and find
the one best suited for you.
The services of Julia. Childers includes
counseling with birthparents in person, reaching out to birthparents family members in order for them to understand the adoption
process, home visits to the homes of birthparents and personal services to birthparents including but not limited to:
locating housing and housing physical needs, transportation, medical referrals, legal issues, and visits, shopping, crisis
intervention, etc... Two social workers are also employed by our agency. It is important to also remember that
Julia Childers and her social worker must be "on-call" 7 days a week and 24 hours a day in order to be available
for baby births. Whenever possible, Julia Childers is with you at the hospital personally to walk with you through the
adoption journey and assure all parties are comfortable and secure. This is an essential Social Work service.
Dr. Childers is well known to area hospitals and has a positive relationship with the hospital staffs.
She is a liason for you and the staff when you are at the hospital awaiting birth and placement.
Birthparents have expenses themselves and needs that must be addressed in order for them to even begin
considering placing a child for adoption. This can include rent, food, clothing, utilites, transportation etc.
It can also include the needs of children should she have a child(ren) in her care. These expenses are the
responsibility of the adoptive couple. These expenses are approved by the State of North Carolina. ACCORDING TO THE NC ADOPTION STATUTES, APPROVED ADOPTIVE COUPLES CAN PAY BIRTHPARENT AND AGENCY EXPENSES related
to adoption.
As previously mentioned-----Some couples in
the past have stated they were prepared financially and suddenly an oppoprtunity to adopt a child arises---and then advise
us --"they will be applying for a loan, or home equity, or other resources" Unfortunately, birthparents come
to adoption agencies because they are in "crisis" . They are distressed, emotional, and need our assurance
that we can assist them with referrals to a couple that is stable and prepared for adoption. There are also times we
are contacted by local hospitals with a baby just born and the birthmother is requesting adoption services. As you can
see, in this case, you "must" be financially prepared. Our agency wants you to be realistic in your search
for the right agency and our agency wants to be sure we are representing true, stable, and Christian couples. This is
just a reality of adoption. Adoption is a three fold process. It is EMOTIONAL. It is LEGAL. and, it
is FINANCIAL. We encourage you to look at all the adoption agencies and their costs and fees. We are here
to serve the birthparents that make incredible sacrifices----Without them,, there are NO adoptions.
Christians seeking adoption should easily understand the sacrifice made by a birthparent and should
not be at all questionable about meeting her needs. Afterall, she is the BIRTHMOTHER of your son or daughter.
She is making a decision that many of us could not even begin to understand or consider. It is a joy to provide her
with the love, care, and concern she needs. At our agency, it is our philosophy that you " treat your birthmother
as if it were your own daughter in the same situation." Many couples are surprised with the positive relationship
they establish with their birthparent(s) and testify to the unselfish love they witnessed.
Just to repeat-------You will pay your adoption attorney directly and your birthparent expenses directly.
The average TOTAL costs for an adoption (agency fee, lawyer fees, birthparent
expenses) VARIES. Financially, you should be prepared.
Again----- We encourage you to consider as many
agencies as you can! Our agency seeks couples that are committed to adoption through faith, prayer, and full preparation
in all areas of adoption. Adoption is a threefold process: It is EMOTIONAL, It is LEGAL, and It is FINANCIAL.
Simply stated: You pay for your home study at your first interview. We
are a small agency so we do not accept credit or debit cards. Your home inspection and post placement visits will be
due at the time of the service. Court Reports fees are paid in advance or at the time of service depending on your County
Court. Emergency Home Studies will be quoted to you based on your location and time requirement. IF and only if you
have located a birthparent situation for adoption on your own and you would like our agency to coordinate the adoption for
you, we will meet with you, determine what you need and/or requesting--then review the costs with you. If our agency
refers an adoption situation to you, we will review all the services and fees with you in advance to assure everyone understands
the process. You will discuss with Dr. Childers what the adoption agency services are and what her Clinical Social Work
services are if you request that she assist and guide you with the entire process.
Basic fees are: Preplacement Assessment: 1,150.00, Home inspection is 200.00 and due at the time
of the visit unless otherwise decided. Post placement visits are 200.00 and due at the time of the visit with a minimum
of 2 visits in a 4 month period. Written post placement reports for the Court are 100.00 each and you are billed for
them unless otherwise decided. Final Court Reports are 400.00 and you are billed for them unless otherwise decided.
If you are receiving child placement in another State, since all States have different requirements regarding documents, we
will gladly look into that for you and explain any other fees that State may require.
DO WE
RECEIVE A COPY OF THE HOMESTUDY?
ADOPTIONS will provide you a copy of your homestudy when it is complete. You will receive
a preliminary copy to review before the final copy is typed to insure there are no mistakes. We encourage you to make
a notebook with all your documents-----keep copies of all the documents you provided to our agency or another agency if you
choose to work with another agency---you may need them for an unexpected situation and your agency rep may not be available
24 hours a day 7 days a week.
HOW LONG IS THE HOMESTUDY VALID?
Your
homestudy is valid for 18 months in North Carolina. Your criminal and medical must be updated at 12 months. It is your
responsibility to keep your paperwork current and provided to the agency on time.
WHAT IF MY HOMESTUDY EXPIRES?
If your homestudy expires, you will need a new home study. This is why it is important to keep your medical checkups
and your criminal background checks current.
WHAT
IS A POST PLACEMENT VISIT?
Post placement visit is a meeting with the adoptive family and the adopted child. This
meeting is to assess if the child is being properly cared for and all has adjusted comfortably to the new family addition.
Our social workers say that the post placements are the "MOST FUN" of all! They enjoy meeting your new additions!
WHAT DOCUMENTS DOES NORTH CAROLINA AND ADOPTIONS REQUIRE?
These documents are required for ALL NC agencies----Some Counties require certified copies
*
A copy of your birth certificates
* A copy of your marriage certificate
* Copies of divorce decrees
* Last
three pay stubs
* Last three checking statements (first page only)
* Last three savings statements (first page only)
* Criminal record checks (from your Sheriff's Department)
* Immunization records for all children in your home
*
Statement of Faith
* Autobiographies ~ we include a form for this
* Reference letters (6 required)
