Adoption
Adoption
Isaiah's Place provides adoption services for families looking to adopt children from the foster care system as well as assisting with kinship and step parent adoptions.
Not all paths to adoption look the same, and we want to work with your family to find the right fit for you. We can help families looking to foster-to-adopt and those who are interested in adoption only. Many of our foster-to-adopt families adopt the children they are fostering when reunification with the child's primary family is no longer an option. If you would prefer only to be matched with children who are ready to be adopted, adoption-only approval would be the path for you.
If you'd like to learn more about adoption with Isaiah's Place . . .
Adoption-Only Certification
With two different paths toward adoption with Isaiah's place, there are two slightly different processes. If you're interested in fostering to adopt, you can follow the steps on our foster parent page found here.
If you're interested in adoption only, please see the steps below for more details.
1
Submit an Inquiry
Making a non-invasive inquiry, is the first step on your journey. Fill out an inquiry form and we will contact you with more information to get the process started.
2
Complete an Application
The Application is the next step in the process. This form is required by the state of Ohio and must be completed thoroughly and accurately. If you have any questions or would just like to talk through the process, Sherri Abbott, our Adoption Coordinator, would be happy to set up a time to speak with you! The initial fee is due at the time of application.
3
Background Checks and Training
Once the initial fee is paid and the application accepted, we will have you schedule your BCI/FBI fingerprints for any and all household members 18 years or older to be completed at our office. The fee is payable before fingerprints are completed. You can pay by check or card in our office. You'll need to bring your driver's license and social security card with you at that time. Isaiah’s Place requires parents hoping to adopt to take 24 hours of pre-service training. We believe that this training is foundational to helping you be informed and ready to parent children who have experienced trauma. You can view the training calendar and register here.
4
Home Study
Once the BCI/FBI fingerprint results are received. The homestudy will be completed with you and your family by an Adoption Assessor. This homestudy will include a combination of interviews, paperwork, and home visits. One face-to-face visit is required. Upon submission of the home study the remaining fee is due. This homestudy (with redacted reference information) is available to you after the final payment is made to Isaiah’s Place.
5
Child Placement
Once your homestudy is completed, our agency will provide help, support and guidance based on you adoption approval. After you are approved, you and your assessor can contact county agencies to inquire about children waiting for adoptive homes. If a child or sibling group is identified as a potential match, your assessor will forward your homestudy to the county agency with custody to inquire. Regardless of which direction Step 5 takes you, our agency will be available for Step 6.
6
Ongoing Support
Ongoing appropriate adoption support ensures that potential adoptive parents continue to understand the potential impact of trauma on their adopted child’s behavior as they grow older and equips them to provide stable and secure attachments. In addition to support, our agency can provide resources and make connections to adoption support groups.