Services for Adoptive Parents  

Intake Interview

You will meet with an Agency caseworker who provides an overview of the adoption process, fees and costs, adoption laws, Agency policies and goals, and to facilitate the signing of documents required by the Colorado Department of Human Services. 

Family Assessment

A Family Assessment consists of interviews, both joint and individual, including interviews with any children in your home, review of documents, obtaining background clearances, and education classes.  A home visit will be conducted to view your house and neighborhood, and a safety inspection form will be signed by you.    After all documents have been collected and the interviews completed, a written Family Assessment report will be provided to you for your review.  You will have the opportunity to make factual changes at that time.

Adoption Education Classes

Training classes are required by the State of Colorado and the Agency will provide training specific to the type of adoption you are pursuing.  The trainings take place at the Agency conference room and will prepare you for the realities of adopting and parenting a child as well as allow you to form  supportive relationships with  adoptive parents.

Hospital Discharge

A birth parent counselor will be present at the hospital before and after the birth of the baby in interface with the birth parents, the adoptive parents, and the hospital staff.  The Agency will prepare all court documents and required hospital paperwork for the signatures of the birth parents.  We will also prepare the placement paperwork for the Adoptive parents.  The Agency will coordinate the placement process at the hospital after the baby is born.

Interstate/Interagency Agreements

• The Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) enables facilitation of an adoption in which the birth parents  and the adoptive parents reside in different states. 
• Services provided: Completion of the ICPC paperwork if Colorado is the sending state (the state where the baby is born)  including completing the paperwork  and coordinating the ICPC process and approval through CDHS.
• If Colorado is the receiving state, the caseworker submits the proper fees to CDHS. The sending state forwards the ICPC packet to the State of Colorado contract agency for approval.

Court Approval of Placement

The Agency  will assist you in finding an attorney to file the Petition for Adoption within thirty days after placement of the baby with you.  Another option is to retain the Agency to file the Petition and subsequent  documents required for finalization of your adoption.  

Relinquishment

The birth parent counselor completes and file all required court documents for the relinquishment of parental rights.  A court date is obtained, and the birthmother counselor provides testimony at the hearing.  The agency encourages birth parents to receive post-placement counseling and support, and it is provided at no cost t0 the birth parents. 

Foster Care Licensing

If you reside in the State of Colorado, you will be licensed as a "Fost/Adopt" home from the time of placement to the date of adoption finalization (usually six or seven months after placement).  The Agency will be given guardianship through a court order and will be able to consent to the adoption of your child.

Post Placement Supervision

Post-placement supervision is required by the State of Colorado for a period of six months after placement.  Several face-t-face visits with the child and all family member are necessary.  This process is to provide support for you and to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of your child.  We will assist you with successful attachment between you and your child and ensure positive adjustment to the adoption of all family members.

Finalization

At the end of the six-month period, you will finalize the adoption of your child in the appropriate district court.  The Agency will complete and assemble required court documents for finalization; accompany you  to  the court hearing; and provide testimony on your behalf.  We will obtain certified copies of the Final Adoption Decree for you and for the Agency file.

Meeting the Birthmother

• You will prepare an Personal Family Profile for birth parents to review at the time they are selecting the family. The Agency will provide you with guidelines, examples, and suggestions concerning the letters and photographs included in the profile.
• When chosen by birth parents, clients are provided with the social medical history forms completed by the birth parents, informed concerning any expenses required by the birth parents, and other relevant information.
• If  the clients reside in Colorado, a “match meeting" with the birth parents will be scheduled. This is a facilitated meeting attended by the adoptive parents, the birth parents, and an Agency caseworker. Topics of discussion will include, among other things, the pregnancy, the hospital plan, desired contact before the birth, and the amount of openness between the parties, in the future.