If you're interested in adopting a child, call Family Services of NW PA at 814-866-4500 (Erie County) or 814-724-4800 (Crawford County) to inquire about services. You will be referred to a Permanency Specialist who can answer all your questions and help you start the adoption process. Often we hold group meetings with multiple families who are interested in adoption.
Steps to Become an Adoptive Parent
Step 1: Application
Once you've decided to begin the adoption process, you will be invited to complete an application. The application gathers information about income, health and family history.
Step 2: Training
We offer a comprehensive adoption training program. Training is mandatory for all potential adoptive parents.
Step 3: Family Profile
The family profile is a document created through a series of meeting between you and one of our Permanency Specialists. These meetings will give you the opportunity to learn more about the challenges of adopting a child from the foster care system and examine how your family will respond. All members of your family will be involved.
Step 4: Matching Process
Once the family profile is approved, there is often a waiting period. During this time, our Permanency Specialists work to match a child's need to the strengths of waiting parents.
Step 5: Placement
Once a potential child has been selected, you will get the chance to meet the child and spend time together to determine if the suggested match is a good one for both your family and the child. The number of visits that occur before final placement depends on the child's readiness to move into a new situation. When the child is ready to move and the family is ready to receive the child, arrangements are made for placement in the adoptive home.
Step 6: Placement Supervision
Once a child is placed with a family, a Permanency Specialist will visit the home on a monthly basis to help ensure a stable family relationship is being built. The visits will help you and the child adjust to this new arrangement. The Permanency Specialist will offer support and assistance during this time.
Step 7: Adoption Finalization
If the placement proves to be positive, a request is submitted to the court for an adoption hearing. At this time the family is expected to retain an attorney to provide representation at the adoption finalization hearing.
If you would like to learn more about becoming an adoptive parent, please complete the form below. A Permanency Specialist will contact you to answer questions and discuss the next steps.
