The Children

Since FHSA primarily works with birth parents, most of the children available for adoption are infants. However, older children may become available.

Families wishing to adopt may identify the ethnic backgrounds and birth parent health histories they are comfortable with accepting. Families must be open to a child of either gender.

Parent Eligibility

Applicants for FHSA's Domestic Adoption Program must have a home study completed approving them to adopt a child domestically. If the adoptive family is a Florida resident, FHSA will provide the Home Study Services.

The primary goal is to find parents that will commit to love, protect and care for the child being adopted. Adoptive parents can range from 25 to 50 years of age. Married couples and singles may adopt. Since birth mothers select the adoptive parents, older parents and singles may wait longer to be selected.

Matching

Adoptive parents are required to complete a questionnaire to indicate their birth parent desires and expectations. The adoptive family will also submit a Family Profile, consisting of a Dear Birth Mother Letter and Portfolio. The Portfolio is like a scrapbook or photo album that depicts their life, family, personality, interests, etc.

Birth parents will also be asked to select the qualities and characteristics that are important to them in adoptive parents.

When a birth mother is ready to be matched, family profiles will be shown to her (based on mutual preferences).

Once an adoptive family has been selected by a birth mother and they agree to proceed with the adoption, an adoption plan is created to guide them through the remainder of the process.

Placement

Once the child is born, and consent is given by the birth parents, the child may go home with the adoptive family. This is usually done at the hospital.

Disrupted Adoption

It is possible for the birth parents and/or the adoptive family to change their mind about proceeding with the adoption prior to signing the adoption consents and placement. If this were to happen, the adoptive family’s profile will be immediately placed back on the waiting list for review by other potential birth parents. In most cases, all agency fees paid will transfer and not need to be paid again.

Once the adoption consents have been signed by the birth parents, the child may be placed with the adoptive family. FHSA takes every precaution to ensure that these consents are completed legally and ethically with full documentation and full understanding by all involved parties.

Post Placement and Finalization

The adoptive family will be required to complete at least two Post Placement Reports with their social worker prior to finalization. The finalization of the adoption is usually 3-6 months after placement.