Bringing another member into your family through adoption is wonderfully monumental. But you may be wondering if the logistics and statistics of adoption you’ve heard about are too high of a climb to reach the top of the hill – a warm home that encourages all children under its roof to become the best versions of themselves. With the help of Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC), adoption may be more attainable than you think. Let’s look a bit deeper into the facts and figures of what it really takes to become an adoptive parent in the State of Alabama.
Length of Time It Takes to Adopt
Weeks of Training: 11 (Roughly 33 Hours) – When embarking on the adoption process, you’ll need to complete a series of trainings that address a wide-range of trauma informed topics to prepare families to meet the needs of Alabama’s waiting children, from a deep sense of empathy. These trainings take 11 weeks, or around 33 hours total, and cover a wide range of trauma-informed topics to ensure families are prepared and ready to meet the needs of Alabama’s waiting children. You’ll also need to complete an adoption home study. It takes an average of 6 to 9 months from the time you begin classes to when your family could become potentially approved for placement. While this may seem like a long time, this process helps ensure successful permanence. This time spent together helps build trust, connection and increases permanency. You may experience different time spans between being approved and matching with a child – each family moves through these milestones at various paces
Time Your Adoptive Child Must Live With You Before the Adoption is Finalized: 90 Days – Once your family is matched with an adoptive child, you’ll have some pre-arranged visits in your home. After these visits, your adoptive child can begin living with you. Your adoptive child will need to live with you for at least 90 days before the adoption can be finalized in the court system.
Time It Typically Takes to Finalize the Adoption in Court: One Year – While your family’s experience may vary based on specific factors, an adoption could be court-finalized in around 1 year. This may seem like a while, but the time will pass quickly as you learn what you need to successfully integrate another member into your family. By comparison, 58% of children spend 2 to 5 years in foster care before being adopted.
Changing Lives One Adoption at a Time
Number of Families Who Have Adopted in the United States: One Out of Every 25 – Did you know that 1 out of every 25 families with children in the U.S. have adopted? This statistic equates to between 2% and 4% of families. More than 33% of families have considered adopting, though ultimately decided against it. Monetary concerns could be one of the factors that cause this gap. At APAC, we believe your heart for adoption should never be curtailed by your financial situation. When you adopt a child from the Alabama Department of Human Resources with the help of APAC, you won’t be charged any fees for the home study or the child’s placement.
Financial Assistance is Available to Help Expand Your Family
Average Age of a Child Waiting to Be Adopted: 8 – The average age of a child waiting to be adopted from the foster care system in the U.S. is 8 years old. APAC assists with adoptions of children 5 years and older, which qualify for state adoption subsidy. This means that you’ll receive financial assistance in various ways. Your court costs and attorney fees related to legal adoption may be subsidized. If you must travel to complete legalities in the adoption process, you and your adoptive child’s food and lodging may also be subsidized.
Once your adoption is legally official, you’ll also be eligible to receive monthly subsidy payments depending on your specific circumstances and the child’s needs. These subsidy payments could continue until the child is 19 years old. Your adoptive child may be able to receive Medicaid benefits, even if they weren’t receiving them while he or she was in foster care. Other medical services, such as counseling and orthodontia, may also be subsidized in certain cases.
In addition to the state’s financial aid, APAC offers free resources, information, and connections to other adoptive families to support you on the lifelong journey of adoption, and ensure your growing family thrives. Bottom line, APAC is standing by to help you navigate any challenges you may encounter along your adoption journey with confidence.
Your Timeless, Priceless Impact
741 children were adopted in Alabama in 2023. But around 6,000 children remain in the foster care system across the state, with over 220 children waiting to be placed into loving, forever homes. Each one of these children represents a life full of potential and opportunity, yearning to be nurtured into what could be. Adopting a child will change his or her life forever and will also enrich your existing family’s lives in beautiful ways you’ve only dreamed of. When you’re ready to take the next step in your adoption journey, APAC is your ally to connect you with empowerment and encouragement.
Click here to connect with APAC and learn more about how you can change a child’s life and your own life through adoption.
AL.ABAMA MEDIA GROUP
