Adoption

We are committed to providing adoptive homes for children who are in need of a permanent family.

Honesty, communication and support are the key elements for a successful adoption. The members of the adoption team are the birth parents and their extended family, adoptive parents, JAFCO social worker, attorney, the child’s therapist and other helping professionals. The team works together to ensure that the best interests of the child are met.

Birth parents needing to place their child for adoption are offered the following services free of charge:

  • Pre and post adoption counseling and social work support
  • Legal representation
  • The opportunity to participate in the adoption planning process, including selecting and meeting the adoptive family
  • Assistance with living and medical expenses during pregnancy

 

Adoptive families are willing to make a lifetime, legal commitment to a child (age 0-18). Married couples or single individuals interested in adoption must first obtain an adoption homestudy. This document indicates that the family meets all criteria necessary for adoption according to agency policy and Florida law. Home study fees are based on income and calculated on a sliding scale ($600-$1,200).

To be approved for a home study through JAFCO, prospective adoptive parents must first:

  • Complete an 8 week pre-service training program offered by JAFCO
  • Obtain satisfactory local, state and federal criminal background investigations and reference checks (including fingerprinting)
  • Complete an autobiographical profile
  • Undergo a physical and psychological examination
  • Demonstrate an understanding of adoption issues as well as an ability to provide a safe, loving and stable environment
  • Have adequate income
  • Have stable marital and family relationships (single parents are welcome)

 

After completion of a positive home study, JAFCO will match the adoptive family with an appropriate child in need of a permanent family. JAFCO participates in both state and private adoption work. State adoption implies that the child is in the custody of the State of Florida and, therefore, the adoption expenses are covered by the state allowing families to adopt (usually older children) at no cost.

Private adoption implies that the birth parents are making the choice to place their infant for adoption. Private infant adoption fees are based upon a sliding scale and range from $12,000 sliding down to $6,000 plus living and medical expenses for the birth mother.

 

To begin the process of fostering or adoption please attend an informative orientation session offered on the following dates:

2013 Orientation Dates

May 6
September 9
June 3
October 7
July 1
November 4
August 5
December 2

All orientations are held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and people must register in advance.

 

All orientations are on Monday evening from 6:30-7:30pm at the JAFCO Village.
To register please contact Rebecca Salus – her contact info can be found below.

 

 

♥ For more information about adoption contact Rebecca Salus at rebecca@jafco.org
or 954-749-7230 x129