Guide to Adoption

Follow the steps below or download the PDF version here.

Contact Spaulding for Children

Spaulding’s history;
Foster care & adoption informational pamphlets;
Information regarding the types of services Spaulding provides;
10 Good Reasons Why You Should Become a Spaulding for Children Parent;
The Steps to Become a Foster/Adoptive Resource Family;
Orientation Registration Form

Contact

Stacey Oakes

248 443 0300 ext. 235
SOakes@spaulding.org

Attend Orientation

NOTE: All adults living in the home, i.e. husband & wife, partners, roommates etc., must attend Orientation & all trainings

Orientation: How to Become a Foster and/or Adoptive Family Resource

December 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pmOnline

Attend Pre-Service Training

Attend Foster Parent Pre-service Placement Training. Learn directly from experienced foster parents the skills & techniques needed to parent children who have been abused, neglected and traumatized.

Attend G.R.O.W.

Grow culturally responsive relationships.
Recognize children’s developmental needs and the impact of trauma.
Obtain information and resources.
Work in partnership with families to support healthy relationships.

Enroll in G.R.O.W. Training at at NO COST.

Home Assessment Process

The Home Assessment Process will be initiated at NO COST after completion of the P.R.I.D.E. Training Series.

Your licensing/adoption worker will schedule a home visit with you to begin the Home Assessment Process.

You will be provided a Checklist for Adoption Home Licensing form. This form lists the documentation you must provide to your licensing/adoption specialist.

Once all of the requested documentation has been provided to your specialist and your Home Assessment is complete, your entire file is presented to the Adoption or Foster Home Licensing Supervisor for approval.

Checklist for Adoption Home Licensing

Download PDF

Home Assessment Process

The Home Assessment Process will be initiated at NO COST after completion of the P.R.I.D.E. Training Series.

Your licensing/adoption worker will schedule a home visit with you to begin the Home Assessment Process.

You will be provided a Checklist for Adoption Home Licensing form. This form lists the documentation you must provide to your licensing/adoption specialist.

Child Search for Adoption

There are many children placed in the child welfare system that are available for adoption, older children, children of color, brothers and sisters that need placement as a group, and children with disabilities.

Maintain on-going contact with Spaulding’s Adoption Specialist.

View the following websites profiling waiting children:

Visit Heart Gallery exhibits (website) – traveling portrait exhibits of waiting children.

Venture into your community – attend recruitment events at churches, malls, parks, libraries, etc.

If you identify a child(ren) that appears to be a match for your family, contact your Adoption Specialist to obtain additional information. If the Agency identifies a potential match for your family, you will be contacted by your Adoption Specialist to schedule a case conference so that you can learn more about the child(ren).

Visitation Process

If you choose to proceed with the matched child(ren), a visitation period begins between you and your matched child(ren).

If visitation goes well, at an agreed upon time, Spaulding for Children will petition the court to legally place the child in your home.

Placement

During the first 6 months of placement, your case will be under the supervision of the court and your adoption worker will visit at least monthly to provide support and assist with any issues.

After 6 months of successful placement, the court can issue a final order of adoption, finalizing the adoption and making the child legally yours.