Answers To Your Common Questions About Private Adoptions, Baby Adoption, Foster Child Adoption, and International Adoption
Building Arizona Families Offers Private Baby Adoption, Adoption From Foster Care, and International Adoption From Haiti
There are numerous private adoption programs for families interested in domestic baby adoption and international adoption of infants, older children, sibling groups, and children with special challenges.
Our private adoption services focus on newborn adoption. This occurs when an expectant mother determines that she is unable to care for her baby. She then reaches out to Building Arizona Families for help finding a loving forever family through the private adoption services Building Arizona Families offers.
Adoption from foster care is available to Arizona families. The foster children available for adoption can reside in Arizona, or in any other state around the U.S.
International adoption from Haiti is possible through Building Arizona Families. We are a Hague accredited adoption agency, which permits us to facilitate adoptions in other parts of the world. We are also one of just a handful of adoption agencies nationwide permitted to facilitate adoptions from Haiti.
How long has Building Arizona Families provided adoption services?
Building Arizona Families opened its doors in August 2004 and has been serving children and families since that time. Building Arizona Families is licensed by the State of Arizona and is Hague Accredited. We have professional staff which is knowledgeable in adoption related issues.
How long does the adoption process take?
It depends on the program and your openness in the kind of child that you want to adopt. The homestudy process can generally be completed within eight to twelve weeks. Being matched with a child varies within each program. Newborn adoption, for example, can either be private adoption or through the foster care system. The time process for newborn adoption is based on how advanced the birthmother’s pregnancy is at the time the adoption process begins. Newborn adoption from the foster care system occurs when the birthmother’s parental rights are severed and the baby becomes eligible for adoption.
How much does it cost to adopt?
There are several factors that will determine the cost of an adoption, but the primary factor which determines cost is the program that a family has chosen.
WHAT IS AN ADOPTION HOMESTUDY OR PRE-ADOPTIVE HOME SCREENING?
The home screening/homestudy process is an opportunity for your case worker and the agency to get to know you and the kind of child that will best fit into your family, and to provide you with information on the resources of the agency and the children who are available. It is also an opportunity for you, as an adoptive family, to learn more about the issues of adoption. All families who choose to adopt must complete the homestudy and training process prior to being approved for adoption.
WHAT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS DOES BUILDING ARIZONA FAMILIES SERVE?
Building Arizona Families works with families all across the State of Arizona. We serve birthmothers around the U.S. who have determined that newborn adoption is the best way to provide for the future of the baby.
HOW MANY FAMILIES DOES YOUR AGENCY WORK WITH AT ANY ONE TIME?
Building Arizona Families works with a number of families in each program. It varies due to the number of children available. The agency welcomes all requests from families and is happy to provide families with a general idea of when a homestudy might be started.
WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILIES?
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the adoption program, either private adoption, international adoption, or foster child adoption, and are not based on whether or not you are Christian or subscribe to a specific religion. Families interested in international adoption will also need to meet the requirements of the country they have chosen. Requirements for families interested in adopting an older child through the State may also vary depending on the age of the child.
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR FAMILIES INTERESTED IN ADOPTING THROUGH BUILDING ARIZONA FAMILIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
- Families of any creed, racial and ethnic background, national origin, political affiliation, or handicap
- Families residing in the State of Arizona. In special circumstances, the agency will work with a family out of state
- Legally married couples or single, widowed or divorced individuals
- Individuals who are at least 21 years of age or older
- Families who view adoption as a positive way of building a family
- Families who are financially stable
- Families with no children and families who are already parenting children
- Applicants may own or rent a home or an apartment
- Families who have the physical, financial and emotional stability to care for a child
- Requirements for families choosing to pursue an international adoption or a special needs adoption through the State may vary depending on the country, the international agency, or the requirements of the State.
WHEN ARE NEWBORN ADOPTIONS POSSIBLE THROUGH PRIVATE ADOPTION OR FOSTER CARE?
Infants and children in the foster care system are eligible for adoption after the parental rights of the birthparents have been terminated as a result of unmitigated abuse and/or neglect. The agency does not do legal risk placements for infants.
Building Arizona Families private adoption services place infants with adoptive families within 48-72 hours of birth. Our private adoption services include matching birthparents with the adoptive family through a national matching process for both the birthparents and adoptive parents to ensure that the best interests of the child always remains the most important priority.
WHEN DOES A BIRTHMOTHER SIGN A RELINQUISHMENT OF PARENTAL RIGHTS?
A birthmother may not sign a Relinquishment of Parental Rights for newborn adoption until 72 hours after the birth of her child. Those birthmothers needing additional time may be offered temporary foster care for their child until they make a decision to parent or make an newborn adoption plan.
HOW DO YOU BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ADOPTING?
Whether It’s Private Adoption, Foster Child Adoption, or International Adoption, the Recommendations Below Can Help
- Read books on private adoption
- Talk to someone who has adopted
- Attend a regularly scheduled Adoption Information Meeting scheduled by Building Arizona Families
- Request an informational packet
- Attend an adoptive parent’s support group
ARE THERE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES?
Yes, there are several support groups that provide regular meetings, information on adoption related issues, newsletters, and socials for adoptive families. Some suggested resources are:
- The Council on Adoptable Children (COAC)
- Families of Russian (FRUA)
- North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
- If you are Christian and are a member, or regular attender of a church, they may have an Adoption Support Group as well.
How do I find out about Building Arizona Families history of placements?
The following information is available upon request and Building Arizona Families makes such information available when requested:
- The number of Building Arizona Families adoption placements per year for the prior three calendar years, and the number and percentage of those placements that remain intact, are disrupted, or have been dissolved as of the time the information is provided.
- The number of parents who apply to adopt on a yearly basis, based on data for the prior three calendar years; and if applicable.
- The number of children eligible for adoption and awaiting an adoptive placement referral via Building Arizona Families.
HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT BUILDING ARIZONA FAMILIES HISTORY OF PLACEMENTS?
The following information is available upon request:
- The number of Building Arizona Families adoption placements per year for the prior 3 calendar years, the number and percentage of those placements that remain intact, are disrupted, or have been dissolved as of the time the information is provided.
- The number of parents who apply to adopt on a yearly basis, based on data for the prior 3 calendar years; and if applicable,
- The number of children eligible for adoption and awaiting an adoptive placement referral via Building Arizona Families.
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