Making a family: The steps to adoption at HCJFS

Whether you already have an approved and active homestudy or you are just starting your training, it’s not always easy to figure out what happens across the adoption process. Here’s an overview of what takes place at Hamilton County Job and Family Services from starting your training to finalizing your child’s adoption:

1. Pre-service training and homestudy approval. Here’s where it all begins. Before you begin training classes, be sure you qualify to adopt. Check with your local public children services agency for requirements. To adopt in Ohio, you must:

·         Be at least 18 years old

·         Have a bed and a bedroom available for a child

·         Have sufficient income that meets your needs

·         Pass a rigorous criminal background check

·         Be in good mental, emotional and physical shape

**NOTE: Before starting classes, be sure you complete the initial background check forms. You can request them by calling us at (513) 632-6366.

Along with completing classes, you must also obtain an approved homestudy. Ohio law allows up to 180 days to finish the homestudy. Other states may have different requirements. Regardless, an assessor will work with you to collect any documents and information needed.

Once you receive approval, you are ready to begin your journey toward adoption. Adults with an approved adoptive homestudy who work with Hamilton County JFS will be assigned a family worker to assist them.

2. Be pro-active! Visit web sites that feature children waiting for forever families (ours is www.hckids.org), and go to adoption fairs and events where you can learn about children waiting to be adopted. Some agencies may also invite adults with a current, active homestudy to events where they can meet children waiting for adoption.

If you are interested in a particular child on our web site, contact us at (513) 632-6366 and ask if he/she is still available. From time to time, a match may have recently occurred that has not been noted on the site. Hamilton County strives to ensure its information is current within three business days, but sometimes that is not always possible.

3. Have your homestudy sent for consideration. Hamilton County cannot initially provide any additional information about a waiting child beyond what is in their online profile. To learn more about the child, your agency worker must first submit your homestudy – including the original and any updates.

Upon receipt of your homestudy, we will send a more detailed child profile to your worker. He/she should review this profile with you, and respond with your decision to move forward or not by the deadline indicated.

3. Match presentation. If you decide to move forward, Hamilton County permanency staff will arrange a date and time for your worker to present you to the Match Committee. Members consider the merits of all families being considered, and vote by secret ballot on a potential match. See the Hamilton County Adoption Handbook, pp. 31-34 for more information).

There may be instances where the number of people presented is limited – for example, when a large number of people indicate they wish to be considered. Workers will inform you if there are any special circumstances involved in limiting how many families will be considered for a particular child.

5. Accepting the match. Individuals or couples who are matched with the child will be notified through their family worker. HCJFS will provide information about the child including any anticipated or identified special needs and resources available to help make an informed decision about placement. The individuals or couple has 30 days to accept or reject the match.
6. Visit schedule established. If a match is accepted, workers develop a pre-placement visitation schedule. The family also learns more about the child’s biological family and history at this time.
7. The child is placed. At some point, HCJFS workers will arrange for the time to move the child into your home to begin living with you. The placement agreement is signed, and you begin living as a family. Workers will also assist with arranging any pre-finalization services that may be required, such as case management, home visits, counseling, crisis services and/or adoption readiness classes.
8. Finalization! This is the time when the court sees whether this placement is working well for the child, and issues a Final Decree of Adoption and Adoption Certificate. Post-finalization services and post-adoption services may also be arranged at this time, if necessary.