Compassionate Care for Foster and Adoptive Parents
adoptions
Adoptions are Special
Simply put, adopting a child or children is special. When adopting a foster child, you are giving a child a chance the thrive and not merely survive. In fact, when you adopt a child under any set of circumstances you are giving that child what should be a Forever Family and a Home. I am honored to have been recognized for my abilities by being accepted as a Fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.
The process of adoption can appear daunting. Do I or we need to be certified as being acceptable to adopt? Do I or we need to be licensed by some state agency as being a foster? How long does it take? Is there any financial assistance available to me? Do we have to be married to adopt a child together? Can I and my spouse who is the same sex as me adopt a child? These are common questions that I get asked, and each set of circumstances and each situation requires a different, unique answer. Each adoption that I participate in requires my full attention and that of my staff.
When a child born to a Native American parent is adopted, the Indian Child Welfare Act must be complied with and the tribe or nation of the parent must be provided notice and the opportunity to participate. If a child being adopted was placed with the adoptive parents by an out of state agency, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children has to be complied with. Each of these has specific regulations and requirements of which I have an intimate working knowledge, as well as having developed the personal relationships necessary to navigate these issues without concern.
Having performed many hundreds of adoptions, I have developed relationships with the agencies involved, and understand the intricacies of what is required of any adoption. My goal, and that of my staff is to make this as pleasurable and worry free as is possible. We consider our clients to be our family, and treat them with the care and attention that I would give my very mother – it’s that simple.
The picture to the right is of a t-shirt from one of my adoption clients, but speaks to the heart of the matter. EVERY adoption is special and unique and beautiful. YOUR adoption should absolutely be your favorite.
A word about Marriage and Adopting
Arizona State Requirements
In the state of Arizona a single person, a married couple and a married person individually may all adopt a child. Two people who are unmarried cannot adopt a child together, and surprisingly, I encounter this often. As a result, I have become ordained by the Universal Life Church as a non-denominational minister for the purpose of assisting my clients in becoming married and empowering them with the ability to adopt as a couple.
The states of Arizona and Ohio, like all states in the nation, have recognized same sex marriages. In Arizona, married couple of the same sex can adopt, foster and enjoy the same privileges as an opposite sex couple. I often work with same sex couples accomplishing their goal of adoption, and am proud to say that I assisted in the adoption of children who were placed with them by the Arizona Department of Child Safety in being the first of such adoptions in several counties of the state.
