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Why choose The Villages?
We believe everyone deserves to be treated with care and dignity. We also know a birth mother’s wellbeing impacts a baby’s wellbeing. That’s why we’re passionate about caring for you and caring for her. As we walk with you through the adoption process, you can rest assured knowing the birth mother and baby are also wrapped in skilled and compassionate care.
Are you seeking to grow your family through domestic infant adoption?
Let’s do this together.
The Adoption Process
In a virtual or in-person meeting, The Villages will provide resources and counsel to help you determine if adoption is a good fit for your family. Should you decide to move forward with adoption, you will complete a formal application.
The State of Indiana requires that all prospective adoptive parents successfully complete an adoptive home study prior to adopting. During this step, family health, dynamics, finances, and physical safety are assessed. Our team will work closely with you to help complete background checks, medical forms, and other paperwork. Once paperwork is completed, a member of our staff will conduct three home visits and complete a final report. Our staff will then review the home study with you.
Our staff will collect details and family photos to help you create an adoptive profile. During this time you will also receive training on parenting, child development, adoption specific issues, and transracial adoption. Once selected by a birth mother, a mediation meeting may be arranged. During this step, our team will also ensure your legal representation is separate from the birth mother’s representation.
The Villages provides post-placement services including counseling, completion of court reports, and record maintenance. We’re here for you for life—whatever you and your family needs.
FAQs
How long does it take to adopt?
The timeline for domestic infant adoptions can vary. Once the home study is completed, it could take a few months up to 2+ years to be matched with a child based on criteria of the adoptive parents and the expectant mother. After the child’s birth and placement with the adoptive parents, the adoption can generally be finalized within a couple months of birth.
Is there any financial assistance available for adoption?
The Adoption Tax credit can help make adoption affordable. For more information visit the IRS Adoption Credit website. There are also adoption grants, loans, and adoption benefits for military personnel. For more information visit the National Military Family Association website. Many families also secure financial assistance from family members and close friends through monetary gifts and crowd funding resources.
What is open adoption?
Adoption is the legal process in which children who will not be raised by their birth parents become full legal members of another family, where all rights and responsibilities are transferred from the biological parents to the adoptive parents. An open adoption means the adoptive and birth family share identifying information with each other and have contact during the adoption process and after the adoption is finalized. Each situation is individualized and based on an agreement that is reached between the two parties. This could include exchanging photos and pictures through The Villages Adoption Portal, phone calls, text messages, video calls, in person visits, etc.
What support is available after the adoption is finalized?
Post adoption services , including case management, community referrals, and counseling are available to you at any time after the adoption is finalized. Additionally, you will have access to the Adoption Portal hosted by The Villages for ongoing communication with birth parents, if that is part of your post adoption communication agreement with birth parents.
What if birth mothers change their minds?
In situations where the birth mother decides to parent her child after giving birth, The Villages staff will provide support and offer counseling to you to process the grief and loss surrounding this event. Your profile will then be made available for new expectant mothers once you feel ready.
Resources
Financial Resources
Lightstream Adoption Loans
LightStream is the nation’s premier online consumer lender offering low-interest, fixed-rate loans.
IRS Adoption Credit and Assistance Programs
Discover what adoption credit and adoption assistance programs are available.
NACAC Adoption Tax Credit FAQs
Learn what qualifies you for the federal adoption tax credit.
Online Adoption Resources
Adoption Tax Credit Questions
Find FAQs regarding Adoption Tax Credits from the National Council For Adoption.
Positive Practices in Transracial Adoption Parenting
Learn tips on transracial adoption parenting from the National Council For Adoption.
The Impact of Adoption
Learn the seven core issues in adoption and how they may affect all people involved.
Parenting Your Adopted School-Age Child
Grow an understanding of how to respond to your school-age child’s developmental needs.
Books
Adopting: Sound Choices, Strong Families
Deciding whether to adopt or how to do so? This book by Patricia Irwin Johnston is for you.
Adoption is a Family Affair!
What Relatives and Friends Must Know. Book by Patricia Irwin Johnston.
While We Wait
Spiritual and Practical Advice for Those Trying to Adopt. Book by Heidi Schlumpf.
Beneath the Mask
Understanding Adopted Teens. Book by Debbie Riley.
The Connected Child
Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family. Book by Karyn Purvis, David Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine
The Whole Life Adoption Book
Realistic Advice for Building a Healthy Adoptive Family. Book by Jayne Schooler and Thomas Atwood
Podcasts
Creating a Family
A podcast interviewing experts on infertility, adoption, and foster.
Finding our Feet: The Adoption Journal
A podcast where a husband and wife chat about their journey to adoption.
The Open Adoption Option
A podcast educating listeners the importance of children to knowing their birthparents.
UNTOLD Adoption Stories- By Positive Choice Adoption
A podcast where people share stories of how adoption has positively impacted their lives.
Moore to Love: An Adoption Podcast
Board Certified Adoption Attorney Nicole Moore will help navigate your adoption journey.
Adoption Today
Real talk on adoption and this journey we call parenting.
We’re here for you.
The Villages of Indiana’s Mother-Centered Domestic Infant Adoption Program is designed to support you wherever you are in your journey. Whether you’re committed to adoption or still deciding, we’d love to connect and share more about our services.
Set up a free initial meeting.