Toll 1-877-KIDSNEEDU / 1-877-543-7633 Toll Free www. a z k i d s n e e d u . g o v
Arizona Department of Economic Security Administration for Children, Youth and Families P.O. Box 6123 Phoenix, AZ 85005-6123 602-542-3981
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program � Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Department must make a reasonable accommodation to allow a person with a disability to take part in a program, service, or activity. For example, this means that if necessary, the Department must provide sign language interpreters for people who are deaf, a wheelchair accessible location, or enlarged print materials. It also means that the Department will take any other reasonable action that allows you to take part in and understand a program or activity, including making reasonable changes to an activity. If you believe that you will not be able to understand or take part in a program or activity because of your disability, please let us know of your disability needs in advance if at all possible. This document is available in alternative formats by contacting 602-542-3598. Disponible en Espa�ol .
Front cover photos from Health Canada website and Media Photo Gallery, Health Canada, http://www/hc-sc.gc.ca � Adapted and Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2004.
PAP-002-PD (9-04)
doption is the legal process by which qualified adults can become parents of children not born to them. The laws that cover all adoption cases are necessary to protect children themselves, the persons who wish to adopt children, and the birth parents of the children. Children who are adopted have the same rights and privileges as a child born to a family. Although there are several adoption agencies in Arizona, the Department of Economic Security (DES) is the largest. Almost without exception, the children placed by DES have special needs; that is, they may be older or have physical or emotional handicaps. The information presented here is based on DES' statewide adoption program. You can obtain further details by calling 18 7 7 - K I D S NEEDU (1-877-543-7633), or by logging on to the DES website at www.azkidsneedu.gov. DES contracts with several adoption agencies to complete adoptive home certification and training for families applying to adopt through DES. This pamphlet has been prepared to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about adoption.
A
SPECIAL NEEDS ADOPTION
WHO ARE THE CHILDREN IN NEED OF SPECIAL ADOPTION?
Children needing to be adopted are of all ages, races, religions, and intellectual and physical development. Children currently needing homes are age 10 and older, school age sibling groups and children of color. DES is recruiting families who will accept the following types of "special needs" children: age six or older children of color sibling groups of three or more physical, mental or emotional disabilities high risk of physical, mental or emotional disabilities T h e s e children have been legally entrusted to the Department of Economic Security. The birth parents may have voluntarily surrendered the children, or the court may have terminated their parental rights to the children. Children who no longer live with their birth parents usually have some challenges and can take a long time to adjust to a new family. Adoption case managers and foster parents do their best to prepare children for adoption, but the actual living experience with the new family may reveal unique adjustments. In the long run, adoption is a happy and rewarding experience.
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WHERE CAN YOU ADOPT A CHILD?
You can adopt a child through your local DES office/contract adoption agencies, or one of the adoption agencies listed in this booklet.
IS THERE A FEE?
An $800.00 certification, investigation and report fee may be charged by the contract agency. This fee may be reimbursable after a special needs child is placed in your home and the adoption is finalized. DES and its contracted provider agencies may waive the certification, investigation and report fees if the applicant demonstrates and the Department finds that payment would: cause financial hardship to the applicant; be detrimental to an adoptive child; or preclude the applicant from making application. DES will collect the adoption certification, investigation and report fee from families who adopt a child outside DES, who is not a ward of this state or any other state.
AD A R E Y O U T H E K I N D O F AD O P T I V E PA R E N T W E A R E L O O K I N G F O R ?
A d o p t i v e parents come from all types of backgrounds and economic situations, and are of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Some are single parents, some are couples, and often both work outside the home. Some live in apartments, some own their homes. Some already have children, some don't have children yet, and some are grandparents. If you enjoy children and the challenge of parenting a child or children who need very special care and love, you may be the parent for a waiting child.
W H AT I F D E S H A S NO CHILDREN TO OFFER YOU?
The Department of Economic Security has professional affiliations with national and international adoption agencies and organizations. Listings of adoption agencies and organizations, including state. nantional and international, are at the end of this Resource Directory. However, DES cannot guarantee the placement of a child through these agencies and organizations.
W H AT I S A N A D O P T I O N S U B S I D Y ?
Adoption subsidy is a program intended to help foster children achieve permanency through adoption. The adoption subsidy program assists special needs children in different ways. It can provide a monthly payment to help with the extra expense of caring for a special needs child. It
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also pays for medical, dental, psychiatric/psychological services and therapies not covered by private insurance or other public resources such as AHCCCS, school district, etc.) It may also pay for certain n o n r e c u r r i n g adoption fees that are reasonable and necessary expenses such as adoption fees, attorney costs and home study fees. An adoption case manager can help you find out more about the program and completing an application.
W H AT I S F O S T E R A D O P T I O N ?
There may be a wait from the time it is certain that a child will not be able to live with his or her birth parents, until the time all legal matters are settled, freeing the child for adoption. During this time, frequent moves and living with temporary parents and relatives can cause emotional damage to the child. To prevent this damage, DES is seeking families who are willing to take children before they are legally free for adoption, with the plan that adoption will occur in the future. Each situation is different, and the particular situation would be fully explained to you before you agree to take a child into your home. Foster-adoptive parents are certified to adopt, and comply with DES Foster Home Licensing requirements.
W H AT ARE THE STEPS TO AD O P T I O N ?
1 . INTEREST You, as a single person or a couple, begin to consider adoption. 2. INQUIRY You contact an adoption agency or call 1-877-KIDS NEEDU (1-877-543-7633) to gather more information. An adoption case manager will talk to you individually, or invite you to an orientation meeting where you will learn about the adoption process. You will be asked to complete an inquiry form, with information about yourself and about the type of child you are considering. You will also be asked to select an adoption agency to do your adoptive home certification and training. 3. HOME STUDY You begin the home study process, which takes about three months. This may consist of individual meetings, or a combination of individual meetings and training classes with an adoption case manager from an adoption agency contracted with DES. You will learn more about the types of children needing homes and the special care they need. During this time, you will be asked to complete an application, which includes a financial statement, and each member of your household will have a medical examination. In addition, all of the adults in your household must be fingerprinted.
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The adoption case manager will complete a written report about your family, which the agency will submit to the court for certification. The court certification remains in effect for 18 months. NOTE: When adoptive applicants have adopted a child in Arizona or are foster parents licensed by this state, Arizona law requires DES or an adoption agency to provide only an update report on any change in circumstances that have occurred since the previous certification or licensing report. 4 . SELECTION After your home study is completed and certified by the court, you will be placed on the Central Adoption Registry. Your home study may be requested by a child's case manager when an Arizona child is available and compatible with your family. The case manager and others involved in planning for the child will consider your home study. If they agree that your family may meet the child's needs, you will be contacted. 5. PRESENTATION You will receive information about the child, such as background, medical history, behavioral problems, possible adjustment problems, therapy needs, sibling contacts, and the type of subsidy for which the child may be eligible. You will be asked to consider whether this child is right for you and your family. 6. VISITATION If you decide this is the right child for your family, visits will begin. All children need time to get acquainted. The arrangements for these visits vary depending upon the child's needs. 7. PLACEMENT Finally, the day arrives! Your child moves in. There will be adjustments for your family, and adjustments for your new child. Your adoption case manager will be available to answer questions or help you with your concerns. Sometime during this period, if applicable, an Adoption Subsidy Agreement will be completed. 8. FINALIZATION You, your adoption case manager and your new child (if age 12 or older) will decide when the time is right to complete the adoption. Your adoption case manager will assist you with the paperwork necessary in filing a petition to adopt. In most cases, less than six months after the petition to adopt is filed, your family will go before the judge to finalize the adoption. Soon after, you will be sent information on obtaining a new birth certificate showing the child's new name and you as the parent(s). 9. ASSISTANCE Should you experience difficulties after the adoption is final, adoption subsidy case managers are available to assist you in finding the services you need. DES wants your adoption to be successful and will do everything possible to help you.
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ARIZONA LICENSED ARIZONA
SE A D O P T I O N SE R V I C E S
A PLACE TO CALL HOME 1830 S. Alma School Rd., Bldg. 5, #122 Mesa, AZ 85210 Services include finding homes for children in the areas of adoption and foster care. ADOPTION JOURNEY OF ARIZONA, INC. 4065 E. Roberts Pl. Tucson, AZ 85711 Services to birth parents adoptive parents and children. ADOPTIONS SPECIALIST OF ARIZONA 1118 E. Missouri Ave., Ste. A-1 Phoenix, AZ 85014 Services to birth parents adoptive parents and children. AID TO ADOPTION OF SPECIAL KIDS (AASK-AZ) 2320 N 20th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006 Non sectarian services specializing in the placement of special needs children. www.aask-az.org (602) 254-2275 (602) 212-2564 www.tocallhome.com (480) 456-0549 Fax (480) 456-0553
www.adoptionjourneys.org (520) 327-0899 Fax (520) 327-0899
(602) 248-8248 Fax (602) 264-8967
AMERICAN ADOPTIONS www.americanadoptions.com 8676 W. 96th St., Ste. 140 (913) 383-9804 Overland Park, KS 66212 Fax (913) 383-1615 Out-of-state agency licensed in Arizona, specializing in traditional adoptions in the U.S. ARIZONA BAPTIST CHILDREN'S SERVICES www.abcs.org 6015 W. Peoria Ave. (623) 349-2229 Glendale, AZ 85302 Fax (623) 776-0343 Nonsectarian adoption services to children, mothers planning adoptive placement, and adoptive families. ARIZONA'S CHILDREN ASSOCIATION 2700 S. 8th Ave. Tucson, AZ 85713 www.arizonaschildren.org (520) 622-7611 Fax (520) 624-7042 Branch Office Phoenix (800) 944-7611 Nonsectarian adoption services available to any child and to adoptive applicants living in Arizona. www.azadoptions.com (602) 254-2271 Fax (602) 254-1587
ARIZONA FAMILY ADOPTION SERVICES 346 E. Palm Ln. Phoenix, AZ 85004 Primarily home certifications and relative adoptions.
BIRTH HOPE ADOPTIONS AGENCY, INC. 3225 N. Central Ave., Ste. 1217 (602) 277-2860 Phoenix, AZ 85012 Fax (602) 277-3939 Nonsectarian adoption services to children, mothers planning adoptive placement with the agency, and to adoptive applicants from the U.S. or abroad. BLACK FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES, INC. 2323 N. 3rd St., Ste. 202 (602) 256-2948 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 276-1984 Nonsectarian services to all minority children and to minority or biracial adoptive applicants living in the United States. Primarily a DES/ACYF contract provider. CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES OF SOUTHERN AZ P.O. Box 5746 Tucson, AZ 85703-0746 www.ccs-soaz.org (520) 623-0344 Fax (520) 770-8578 Branch Offices Bisbee (520) 458-3530 Yuma (520) 783-3308 Nonsectarian services provided by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson to any child and to adoptive applicants living in the Tucson diocese (Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties).
www.diocesephoenix.org (602) 997-6105 Fax (602) 943-0377 Branch Offices Bullhead City (928) 758-4176 Mesa (480) 964-8771 Flagstaff (928) 774-9125 Prescott (928) 778-2531 Yuma (520) 783-3308 Nonsectarian adoption services to birth parents and to any child and adoptive applicants living in the northern half of state of Arizona covered by the Diocese of Phoenix, and that portion of northeastern Arizona included in the Diocese of Gallup, NM. CHRISTIAN FAMILY CARE AGENCY www.cfcare.org 3603 N. 7th Ave. (602) 234-1935 Phoenix, AZ 85013-3638 Fax (602) 234-0022 Tucson Office: 1585 E. River Rd., Ste. 121 (520) 296-8255 Tucson, AZ 85718 Fax (520) 296-8773 Services to any child and to adoptive applicants living in Arizona and meeting the agency's Evangelical Christian standards. COMMONWEALTH ADOPTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. 4601 E. Fort Lowell Rd., Ste. 200 Tucson, AZ 85712 Primarily international adoptions. www.commonwelathadoption.org (520) 327-7574 Fax (520) 327-8640
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN ARIZONA 1825 W. Northern Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021
DILLON SOUTHWEST, INC. www.dillionsouthwest.org 3014 N. Hayden Rd., Ste. 101 (480) 945-2221 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Fax (480) 945-3956 Nonsectarian services specializing in placement of children from the Republic of Korea with Arizona families. FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY 1530 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014 Nonsectarian adoption services to an child and adoptive applicants living in Maricopa County. FIRST STEPS INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION AID, INC. 2320 Sausalito Trail Tucson, AZ 85737 International adoptions, primarily in Guatemala. www.fsaphoenix.org (602) 264-9891 Fax (602) 234-2639
(520) 825-3446
HAND-IN-HAND INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS www.hihiadopt.org 931 E. Southern Ave., Ste. 108 (480) 892-5550 Mesa, AZ 85204 Fax (480) 381-1725 Nonsectarian adoption services to children, birth parents, and adoptive applicants living in Arizona. HOME BUILDERS FOR CHILDREN, INC. 5040 E. Shea Blvd., Ste. 262 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Nonsectarian services to children, birth parents, and adoptive applicants living in Arizona. (480) 429-5344 Fax (623) 321-6444
INTERNATIONAL FAMILY SERVICES OF ARIZONA www.ifservices.org 1465 S. 58th St. (480) 924-1779 Mesa, AZ 85206 Nonsectarian services to children from other countries and the U.S., and adoptive applicants living in the U.S. LDS FAMILY SERVICES OF MESA 235 S. El Dorado Cir. Mesa, AZ 85202 www.itsaboutlove.org (480) 968-2995 Fax (480) 967-4103 Branch Office Tucson (520) 745-6459 Services to any child and to adoptive applicants identified as members in good standing with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormon Church) living in Arizona. All adopted children are expected to be raised within the Mormon faith.
LDS SOCIAL SERVICES OF SNOWFLAKE 641 S. Main (928) 536-4117 Snowflake, AZ 85937 Fax (928) 536-7626 Services to any child and to adoptive applicants identified as members in good standing with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormon Church) living in Arizona. All adopted children are expected to be raised within the Mormon faith.
OASIS ADOPTION SERVICES, INC. 11795 N. Via De la Verbentia Tucson, AZ 85742
www.oasisadoption.com (520) 579-5578 Fax (520) 579-5578 Phoenix Branch Office 602-254-1991 www.riseinc.net (480) 497-1889 Fax (480) 497-8387
Primarily home certifications, birth parent services and post-placement visits. RISE, INC. dba ARISE 4542 E. Inverness Ave., Ste. 116 Mesa, AZ 85206 Services include finding homes for children in the areas of adoption and foster care.
NATIONAL
www.AdoptUSKids.org
ADOPTION PHOTO LISTS
AdoptUSKids is a national photo listing service for children awaiting adoption across the United States. You may browse the "Meet the Children" area without registering as site member. Access more in-depth information about a child by registering.
www.adoption.com
Photolisting.Adoption.com is a popular photo listing of children awaiting adoption. It is a free community service dedicated to helping U.S. foster children and children in orphanages around the world find loving, permanent homes.
STATE
www.de.state.az.us/dcyf/adoption
Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Children Youth and Families Foster Care and Adoption webpage, with useful information for adoptive families and applicants. From the menu, click on "Meet Arizona's Waiting Children."
www.aask-az.org
Aid to Adoption of Special Kids is a private, nonprofit adoption and child placement organization dedicated to building families through adoption and foster care, and to finding permanent, loving, culturally sensitive homes for Arizona's foster children. Click on "Child Profiles" to meet a few of these special kids.
ADOPTION EXCHANGES
ARIZONA ADOPTION EXCHANGE BOOK P.O. Box 17951 Tucson, AZ 85731-7951 NATIONAL ADOPTION CENTER 1500 Walnut St., Ste. 701 Philadelphia, PA 19102-3504 NORTHWEST ADOPTION EXCHANGE 600 Stewart St., Ste. 1313 Seattle, WA 98101 (520) 327-3324 www.adopt.org (215) 735-9988 Fax (215) 735-9410 www.nwae.org 1-800-927-9411
POST-ADOPTION RESOURCES
LODESTAR FAMILY CONNECTIONS CENTER 2320 N 20th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006 K.A.R.E. FAMILY CENTER 4710 E. 29th St., Bldg. 7 Tucson, AZ 85711 www.familyconnectionscenter.org (602) 218-9110 (520) 323-4476 FAX (520) 323-9830
