For Adoptive Families

Adoption Option, Inc. works with prospective couples and individuals wishing to build their family through adoption.

Domestic Adoptions:
Domestic adoptions (other than inter-family placements) are primarily of newborns.  Prospective adoptive parents need to be at least 24 years old, infertile, and finished with all infertility treatments to begin the adoption process.  Waiting times for domestic placements vary greatly because birthparents select the adoptive parents for their babies.  An average wait is usually 1½ to 2 years.

International Adoptions:
Requirements for international adoption vary from agency to agency and country to country.  It is important to identify the agency and the country from which you wish to adopt as early as possible and review their policies and procedures.  The average wait for an international adoption varies.

Adoption Option will:

• Provide individual and family infertility counseling
• Help you determine the best type of adoption for your family
• Provide education and support for domestic and international adoption
• Assist you with special concerns involved with international adoptions or special needs children
• Act as your liaison to adoption agencies
• Help you develop an adoption plan
• Complete home studies (as we are a small agency, Adoption Option does not accept home studies completed by other agencies)
• Assist you with networking
• Provide you with an internet web page where birth parents can learn about you
• Provide individual and family counseling both before and after placement
• Coordinate your adoption with the birth parents
• Make court appearances
• Complete post-placement visits and reports as required
• Help you develop a parenting plan and assist you with parenting skills
• Link you to community services and support groups
• Provide counseling to your adopted child as issues arise through the years
• Continue to be your free resource center

All prospective adoptive parents are given a copy of their completed Home Study for use with other agencies and to promote networking.

What Scott and Wendy are saying . . .
Dreams really do come true!  For my husband Scott and me, our dreams became a reality when Hillary and her extraordinary staff helped our family grow with two of the most special gifts.  Without Hillary's guidance, support, and perseverance, Scott and I would have never been able to have the family we always dreamed of having.  From the beginning of the process to the very end, Hillary always told us exactly what we could expect every step of the way and was a very professional liaison between us and both of the children's birth parents.  She always had everyone's best interest at heart and worked to create a situation that worked for everyone.  Scott and I have completed our family now with Alec and Alisa but would recommend Hillary and her staff to any couple who wishes to grow their family through adoption.

What Ryan and Leigh are saying . . .
My husband Ryan and I first met with Hillary to talk about adoption in January of 2006.  Since that first meeting we had dreamed of the phone call that would change our lives and then on July 25 of 2006 it happened.  Hillary called my cell phone and said that she had a young lady sitting in her office who had chosen Ryan and I to adopt her little baby girl that was due in three weeks.  I was speechless and absolutely overwhelmed by excitement.  Ryan happened to call home right when I was getting off the phone with Hillary and I told him I needed him to come home.  No questions asked he headed straight home.  Thirty minutes later he walked in the door and I was able to say something to him that I had longed to say for almost 4 years.  “IT’S A GIRL!” 

Three days later we went to Hillary’s office to meet with the birthmom and her parents.  It can be very intimidating going into a meeting knowing that it is going to change your life forever.  Hillary made us all feel at ease and everything went very smoothly.  When it was time to leave we decided to go to lunch together and were invited to the doctors check-up that was scheduled for that afternoon.  We continued to get together with the birthmom over the next couple weeks for dinner and even went shopping together to pick out an outfit for Megan to come home in.
           
Megan was born 3 weeks later.  She is absolutely the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen and we are proud to be her parents.  She makes us smile everyday and we have loved every minute we have had with her…even at two in the morning. 
           
We continue to see and talk to Megan’s birthmom and her family.  We are so glad that Megan will have a good relationship with them and that she will always know how she came to us.  Every time we get together with Megan’s birthmom it is obvious how much she loves Megan.  It is amazing that such a young girl could be so courageous and unselfish.  She will be a huge part of our lives forever.
           
None of this would have been possible without Hillary.  She has been there for us every step of the way and continues to be there when we have questions.  We look forward to working with her again when it is time for Megan to have a baby brother or sister!