Step 9 - Matching

For the purpose of this article, the term "waiting child" refers to children currently available for adoption through U.S. public welfare and foster care programs.

More of this Feature

• 1. Educate yourself
• 2. Examine your capabilities
• 3. Adoption expenses
• 4. Select an agency
• 5. Complete an application
• 6. The homestudy
• 7. Take classes
• 8. Locating a child
• 9. Matching
• 10. Prepare to welcome your child
• 11. Placement
• 12. Petition to adopt
• 13. Finalization

Before accepting a child for adoption, learn as much as possible about the child, his/her background (including prenatal exposures), and the child's birth parents. Most agencies encourage one or more visits before any decision is made. If the child has medical conditions or other disabilities, this is the time for you to decide if you are prepared to address any issues that may arise.

Children in the custody of a public agency were generally either abused, neglected, or abandoned by their birth parents. Abuse and neglect can leave physical and emotional scars. It is important that you feel sufficiently prepared to welcome a child who may have a traumatic history into your family.

Legal-risk placement.

If you accept a child whose birth parents' rights have not been voluntarily surrendered or involuntarily terminated, you must accept the chance that the child could be returned to his/her birth parents. The child cannot be adopted before parental rights are terminated, and he/she will remain in your home as a foster child.

Best Resources

Legal Considerations for Adopting Parents

Next page > Prepare to Welcome Your Child

Sources for this article include:
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse
North American Council on Adoptable Children
The Learning Center

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