A Brief Guide to the Adoption Process in Ohio
The decision to adopt is a significant and exciting journey. At Building Blocks Adoption Service Inc., we are here to provide clear, compassionate guidance through every step of the adoption process in Ohio. While this page offers a brief overview, we encourage you to contact us with any questions.
Before you begin, it’s important to be emotionally ready for this life-changing experience. Many families have faced loss or infertility, and we believe it’s essential to allow yourself time to heal before embarking on a new emotional journey.
Step 1: Choosing Your Adoption Path
The first decision to make is the type of adoption that is right for you. Our agency offers several programs to fit your unique circumstances:
- Newborn (Infant) Adoption: For families wishing to adopt a newborn.
- Private Adoption: Involves an adoption arranged directly with a birth parent.
- Older Child Adoption: Adopting a child through the state foster care system.
- Relative/Grandparent/Stepparent Adoption: For families seeking to formalize a pre-existing family relationship.Once you decide which program is right for you, you can begin the adoption process by completing the application process.
Step 2: Selecting Your Adoption Agency
Choosing a state-licensed adoption professional is a critical step. We believe our agency stands out for its commitment to personalized care and extensive support.
Why choose Building Blocks Adoption Service Inc.?
- Personalized Service: We provide one-on-one attention and are available 24/7 for both our families and birth mothers during crucial times.
- Extensive Outreach: We heavily advertise and network with clinics, hospitals, pregnancy centers, and other community resources to connect with birth parents seeking to make an adoption plan.
- Birth Parent Advocacy: Our case managers work with birth parents to ensure they receive the appropriate support, including counseling and financial resources.
- Transparency: By Ohio law, we ensure that living expenses for birth parents do not exceed $6,000. We are also upfront about the fact that we cannot provide a specific timeframe for placement, as matching is a personal choice made by the birth parents.
Step 3: Starting the Home Study Process
The adoptive home study is a detailed review of your household, required by The Department of Children and Youth (DCY). It’s a crucial step that ensures a safe and loving environment for a child.
Ohio Residents: We can conduct the entire home study for you, with direct, straightforward online training and in-home visits.
Non-Ohio Residents: We can work with you on an interstate adoption. You will need to complete your home study through a state-licensed agency in your home state, and we can work with the majority of agencies nationwide. We can also provide referrals for agencies in your state if needed.
During the home study, you will need to provide various documents, including:
- Financial and medical forms
- Criminal background checks and child abuse clearances
- Tax returns and proof of employment
- Copies of personal identification and vital records
- Letters of reference
- A safety audit and fire inspection of your home
Step 4: Creating Your Adoptive Profile
For newborn or older child adoptions, you will create a visually appealing adoptive profile with the help of our graphic designers. This profile, which can include a “Dear Birth Parent” letter, is what birth parents will review to choose a family.
Step 5: The Matching Process
This is the exciting part where you actively begin to search for a match. We will present you with adoption situations to review, and you have control over the choices you make.
- You can specify your preferences regarding the child’s race, gender, age, and medical history.
- You can choose to submit your profile for situations in Ohio or through our out-of-state networking agencies, which provide a larger pool of options.
- You can choose to pursue an open or closed adoption and have the opportunity to meet with a potential birth mother one-on-one.
Step 6: Match!
This is the moment of connection when a birth mother chooses you to be the parents of her child.
Steps 7 & 8: Placement of the Child
For families adopting a newborn in Ohio, you can expect to attend the birth and take placement of the child approximately 72 hours after birth. This time allows the hospital to complete all necessary health screenings.
Step 9: Finalizing the Adoption
In Ohio, adoptions are typically finalized about six months after placement. This period allows for post-placement visits and reports before the court issues the final adoption decree.
Why wait? Make a difference through the act of adoption!
For more information, please use our online forms or contact us directly.
For unplanned pregnancy help, please use our dedicated forms or call/text us for confidential support.