This article is designed to aid expectant parents and hopeful adoptive parents who are considering adoption in Georgia. Both aspects of adoption will be covered as well as steps to take on each individual journey. This is a life-changing event for everyone; uncertainty is often a part of the process. Knowing what to expect and where to begin can help assuage fears significantly. Adoption.com and Adoption.org are two resources that can be utilized frequently when initial decisions are being made and to locate important resources. Adoption.com Georgia guide can also be beneficial. Below are five listings to help guide you and answer your questions about adoption in Georgia.
1. Where to Begin for Expectant Parents
When one discovers that they are unexpectedly pregnant, there can be excruciating pressure to “make the correct decision.” In reality, there is no obvious best answer. Each parent has multiple variables in their life that cannot be summarized easily. This can be a very emotional and overwhelming time. First, give yourself a hug! This is going to be okay. Second, knowledge is power. Educate yourself on all of the options; not only for what is best for the child, but also for what is best for you. I recommend reading Choosing Adoption for Your Baby or Options for Unexpected Pregnancy. Multiple agencies can answer questions, offer options, provide counseling, and lend support, even if adoption ultimately isn’t the avenue chosen. If the agency you select has a similar belief system and values as you, it can help make this decision easier.
Agencies in Georgia
In Georgia, private adoption is allowed. This can also be referred to as independent adoption. An adoption attorney is usually present to ensure legality, and the expectant parents and adoptive parents often work directly with them to complete the adoption.
Open up and share with family and friends whom you trust. This is not a time to walk alone. Share thoughts and ideas, try to find someone who has been on this path before you, they can be a guide for you. Make lists of pros and cons. Counseling is highly recommended, and the agency should have resources. If adoption is selected, the next hurdle is determining the level of openness wanted in the adoption.
Open Adoption
This is regarding how much contact, if any, is maintained after the adoption is finalized. In Georgia, open adoption arrangements are not legally binding.
Laws of Adoption
Finally, be educated on the laws of adoption in Georgia. The Adoption.com Georgia guide can be an excellent resource for understanding and learning the laws.
Where to Begin for Hopeful Adoptive Parents
Usually, people have been pondering adoption for years, dreaming and toying with the idea, wondering when the time will be right. Great news, the time is right now. Decision one is completed, congratulations. Adoption in Georgia can absolutely be a reality for you. Decision two involves figuring out what type of adoption fits best. There are four main types, expanded upon below: foster adoption, domestic adoption, independent adoption, and international adoption. Find friends, neighbors, chat sites, groups on Facebook, etc. who have chosen each path being considered. Ask the questions and expose the fears you have. Insight is invaluable when making this decision. Third, analyze the costs of each type and determine which option will work with your budget. Fourth, sign up for introductory discussions, webinars, or classes. Several different types can be attended and there are no commitments if it’s not a good fit. An agency or county will ultimately need to be selected; take your time and explore several of them. In Georgia, private adoptions are also allowed with an adoption attorney. Lastly, a home study will be performed and preparations for a child/children to be placed can begin! My personal decision was to foster, then adopt a sibling set from the county.
2. Types of Adoption in Georgia
There are four primary categories for adoptions in Georgia. They are foster, domestic, independent, and international. They each have their own pros and cons. Study and learn about all of them and ask questions to those who have already made the journey. There is no right answer, only the right answer for you. Your heart can help guide you.
Foster
The goal of foster care in Georgia is to ensure that children are safe from abuse and neglect. Reunification is the primary goal, however, don’t let this deter you. There are times when this isn’t possible, so parental rights are terminated and the child is placed for adoption. The need in this area is massive, with over 13,000 children, ranging from infants to 18-year-olds, placed into the system in 2019 (yes, just Georgia). Of those, almost 3,000 were unable to return to their biological families, meaning that their permanency goal became adoption. On an average day, there are between 300-400 kiddos in Georgia who are available to be adopted. Approximately 700 children age out of the foster care system each year without ever having found a family. This is particularly true for children who have been designated as “special needs,” a title which can be quite misleading. Naturally, this includes developmental or physical disabilities, medical conditions, and emotional or mental disabilities. However, it also encompasses any children who have been in the system for over two years or if they are a sibling set of two or more who are trying to stay together. Adoption can be accomplished either through an agency or the county. If the county program is used, there is no cost and all fees for the adoption are typically covered. If the child has special needs, there may be a stipend as well.There will be mandatory courses and training for the certification; Georgia uses a program called Impact. This program aids in preparing to care for a child with a history of trauma, grief, and loss. These children may require a different approach than traditional parenting.
Domestic
Society tends to be most familiar with infant domestic adoption, as it is the most common method in the U.S.. Expectant parents choose to voluntarily terminate parental rights and place their child in the care of a hopeful adoptive parent. They select who they think will be the best fit for their baby. This is typically done through an agency. This can be an open or semi-open adoption, involving ongoing contact with the birth and adoptive family at whatever level they have determined. Hopeful adoptive parents can also use the agency to meet the requirements of a home study and appropriate training, as well as finding a child most suited for them. Matching hopeful adoptive parents and expectant parents takes time and the process can feel isolating and overwhelming. An intact support network is imperative. Adoption.com Marketing yourself is an excellent guide to help with how to get more attention to your family. Be patient and have faith, you were meant for this journey.
Independent
Also called private adoption, this is legal in the state of Georgia and utilizes a skilled adoption attorney or adoption facilitator instead of an agency or the county. The hopeful adoptive parents and the expectant parents are already connected and agree to work directly with the lawyer. The process is streamlined, allowing for more rapid adoption. However, use caution and be attentive to your moral compass. Know the laws and ensure you are working with someone experienced. The cost of independent adoption tends to be high.
International
As expected, this form of adoption entails adopting from another country. The age can range from infancy through adolescence and there are numerous countries from which can be chosen from. The regulations are often stringent in an attempt to discourage human trafficking. Make sure to watch for any red flags or a sense something isn’t quite right. The requirements of other countries for adoption will also look different than the state of Georgia. This form of adoption usually takes longer than others. There are some countries that can process adoption in three to six months; however, the overwhelming majority take two and a half to three years to complete. The cost can be similar to independent adoption. Training courses and home studies will be mandatory and at least one trip to the country of adoption may be necessary. The amount of time spent there can range from one week to a few months. Additional education should be sought regarding the child’s culture and history, as well as learning at least some of their native language. This can aid in their transition into Georgia’s lifestyle.
3. Requirements for Adoption in Georgia
The basic requirements for adoption in Georgia are straightforward. Applicants must be 25 years old or married, although the age can be decreased to 21 in situations where kinship adoption is the goal. Health records and financial information will be presented to prove the ability to physically and financially raise the child. Those with disabilities are not excluded from being able to adopt. A background check and fingerprinting will occur and criminal records will be evaluated. This includes anyone who will be living in the home. Homeownership is not mandatory, as long as financial independence can be demonstrated. Emotional stability and mental health will be evaluated as well, ensuring a safe environment. These will be included in the home study portion. Home studies can feel uncomfortable and invasive but are essential. Notice that marital status, sexual orientation, and religion are not mentioned. This is because they are not a part of adoption law in Georgia. However, agencies may have more specific requirements, which is why selecting an agency that has a similar set of personal values is so critical. Other children may already be living in the hopeful adoptive parents’ home and pregnancy is not exclusive.
4. Educational Resources to Prepare for Adoption in Georgia
Take as many training programs and read as many books as possible. This is the time to be learning. Sometimes, infants/children who are adopted require different rearing tactics than biological children. These aren’t better or worse, only different. Trauma has been shown to have a possible negative effect on brain development, causing a change in the amygdala and affecting the fight/flight response. The brain’s stress chemicals might run at higher levels. Even severe stress during pregnancy or difficult childbirth can cause this. Read The Primal Wound and The Body Keeps the Score to aid in understanding this concept. The two books I found most helpful were The Connected Child, and the recent follow-up book, The Connected Parent. Both excel at explaining “the why” behind certain behaviors, as well as great tactics for bonding with the child and instruction on this parenting style. For those exploring domestic adoption, my favorite book is The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption. Here are several other highly recommended books: Adoption.com 11 Great adoption Books You Should Read, Adoption.com Preparation and Support an Adoption Reading List.
Since training will be mandatory, the state of Georgia utilizes a program called Impact. With the other books previously mentioned, this training can be helpful. There are five sections: The fostering/adoption process, emotional/cognitive/behavioral implications in fostering/adopting, sexuality and sexual orientation, communication and partnership, and Identity and cultural issues. In addition, TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) is an excellent program, based off the teachings of Dr. Karyn Purvis. Some of these trainings may not apply to infants until they are older. Here is a list of books for expecting parents who are placing their infant for adoption: Favorite Books for Birth Parents.
5. Post-Placement and Finalization Requirements for Adoption in Georgia.
Even after the placement of an infant/child, there are still protocols to ensure the child’s safety and help with integration. A minimum of two home visits is required in Georgia, either by the county social worker or the agency. They will document how the family is progressing. Perhaps also allowing time to aid with the process and help make available support, education, and assistance is available. The social worker or agency will ultimately make a final report to the court recommending adoption. Parental rights of the biological family have to be terminated prior to adoption. In Georgia, birth parents have four days in which they are permitted to alter their decision after voluntarily signing these documents. In other cases, this requirement will have been made by the courts. The finalization of the adoption is 45 days after placement as long as all of the requirements have been met. The final adoption hearing usually lasts less than an hour. The adoptive parents will be sworn in with their social worker and basic questions will be asked about the adoption. Afterward, the judge will issue a final decree of adoption, effectively ending all legal involvement of the state. The paperwork will be essential to amend the birth certificate and obtain a new social security number if needed.
Hopeful adoptive parents, this is a long journey with often difficult obstacles. Remember that the need is high and the ultimate rewards can outweigh the struggle for years to come. Talk to parents who have traveled this road as much as possible and utilize the resources which are available. Education is essential, read and train to be prepared and expand your knowledge. This decision is life-changing; taking the road less traveled can make all the difference.
Expectant parents who are struggling to make the best decision for yourself and your child, know your options, read and explore the possibilities, talk to others, and find a counselor. There is no right answer. I honor your courage and strength and I also share in your sadness. You are enough.
