You’re drawn to the idea of an adoption in Alabama, but you may be unclear about the concrete steps to do just that. And with good reason—the adoption process is largely directed by the child or children you feel equipped and called to bring into your home, whether your newest addition is a teen, sibling group, or a child with medical or behavioral needs. No matter the path your adoption takes, you’ll be supported by Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC) at every turn so that you can thrive in this fulfilling journey.
Adoption is a beautiful way to grow your family and make a lasting impact on a child’s life. For children with medical or behavioral needs, sometimes labeled “special needs adoptions,” it’s important to know that these kids are full of potential, love, and milestones—just like any other child. Considering adoption should feel inspiring, not intimidating.
Adopting Teenagers
Adopting a teen in Alabama comes with a special role and a unique tenderness. Teenagers are often more mature and emotionally ready to fully integrate into your family compared to younger children. Because of this emotional readiness, lifelong bonds often blossom naturally between your adopted teen and the rest of your family. Further, if you’re adopting a child over 14 years old, they’ll have to provide consent to be adopted in certain circumstances. This means that they may be just as eager as you are to build a forever family together.
Teen adoptions bring an element of holistic enthusiasm. While this is encouraging, APAC also offers training and counseling services to help your family to and through this life change. APAC hosts Trauma Informed Parenting Strategies (TIPS) classes as one of your first steps toward placement, totaling 30 classroom hours. While required for adoption in the state of Alabama, TIPS will provide you with relevant and timely behavioral techniques for empowered parenting of your newest member.
You’ll also have access to numerous other trainings either online/virtual or in-person across the state throughout the year on specific topics that families affiliated with adoption commonly experience. These resources are offered to keep a spirit of openness and inclusion in your home through education in a modality accessible to you. For more self-paced learning, APAC also moderates the largest adoption-centric library in the state with all materials shipping to and from your home at no cost.
Even with teens, the “firsts” continue to be exciting—first family vacation, first big game, first school dance, and more. Each of these moments is a reminder that adoption is about the joy of shared experiences and the lifelong bond you’ll build together.
Adopting Sibling Groups
Adopting a sibling group in Alabama (two or more children at the same time) undoubtedly requires more space and financial resources than adoption of a single child. But the comfort and emotional anchoring that the siblings experience by joining the same home provide an unshakeable comfort to them amid their changing world now and throughout their lifetimes.
Siblings are the longest relationship you’ll have in life and keeping them together can make a world of difference in how they adjust and thrive. While adopting a sibling group may also be a bigger logistical and emotional adjustment for adoptive parents at first, it often makes other integration milestones much smoother over time.
If the financial aspects of welcoming a sibling group seem prohibitive, APAC will connect you with adoption subsidy programs available through Alabama DHR to help. While the specific resources available to you will depend on your adoptive children’s case, you might be eligible for reimbursement of certain services, such as legal and court costs. You may also be eligible to receive assistance with ongoing needs or certain Medicaid benefits. If two or more siblings are being adopted at once, you also qualify as having special needs and are able to receive certain benefits as part of that qualification (see below). Most APAC assisted adoptions through Alabama’s foster care result in little to no out of pocket costs with these subsidies.
Adopting Children with Behavioral or Medical Needs
Adopting a child with behavioral or medical needs includes those who have certain physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. But it also includes children from racial backgrounds that are placed less frequently, are 5 years or older, or have a birth parent with certain mental health issues (as the child may be at a higher risk of these conditions too).
It’s important to remember that children with medical or behavioral needs are just as capable of thriving and achieving milestones as any other child. For instance, “Ben” is an 11-year-old boy who makes A’s, B’s, and C’s, can be very active at times, but thrives in sports. He is a wonderful example of a “special needs adoption”—a child with unique needs, full of potential, and ready to become part of a loving family.
While adopting a child with behavioral or medical needs may present more considerations for routine care, DHR and APAC will work with your specific circumstances to devise a plan that’s best for your child but also minimizes burden to your day-to-day. For example, APAC and DHR will help keep your adopted child seeing their therapist they have a rapport with both before and after your adoption is finalized, regardless of if the provider accepts Medicaid.
This path of adoption, despite all the ways DHR and APAC assist, may create a need for additional counseling. APAC provides counseling throughout the adoption process for you and your entire family at no cost, either virtually, in offices across the state, or in your home. You’ll be counseled by master-level, adoption-competent professionals in supportive, non-judgmental ways. APAC also facilitates support groups that meet across the state as well as a private support group on Facebook, so you’ll always be connected to a community and resources you need when you need them.
How to Begin the Adoption Process
If you’re ready to learn more about how to adopt a child in Alabama, take the requirements one step at a time. First, fill out this interest form from Children’s Aid Society of Alabama’s APAC team, or call Alabama DHR (866-425-5437). After that, you’ll attend an orientation for adoptive families to learn more about how adoption fits into your family’s story.
You and all other members of your household who are 19 years and older will have to complete a background check. You’ll also need a doctor to certify that you’re healthy enough to have another child in your care.
From there, you’ll schedule a home study after your TIPS course concludes. While this may sound intimidating, it’s truly a chance for your family and your designated resource officer to get to know each other better while ensuring your home is a safe and welcoming space for another child.
Once your home study and background checks are processed and approved, you will await placement to add another member to your family through adoption! For more details about what to expect, check out this adoption checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While you’re discerning which path of adoption might be best for you and your family, you will and should have some questions. APAC and your DHR team are always available to answer any and all questions you may have. But as a starting point, here are a few answers to some of the most common questions people tend to have about adoption in Alabama: · You can adopt if you’re single, but you must be at least 19 years old. If you’re married, you must be married for at least 3 years.
· Both parents can work outside of the home if you’re adopting. One parent does not need to stay home. Your resource officer will do their best to coordinate necessary meetings around your schedules.
· Your home does not need to be excessively large to adopt a child. At your home study, your resource officer will be checking to see there’s adequate, safe living and sleeping space for another child under your roof—not perfection.
Adoption: Any Path with APAC Leads to a Fruitful Journey
Whether your adoption path leads you to welcome a teenager, sibling group, or a child with behavioral or medical needs, APAC offers free pre- and post-adoption support to guide you to and through the process—physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally.
Every adoption is a chance to embrace milestones, build lifelong bonds, and experience the joy of family in its many forms. By reducing stigma around special needs adoptions and celebrating the potential in every child, APAC is proud to guide your family through every stage. Contact APAC today to learn more about how your family can partner with our network of professionals on this beautiful, life-changing experience.
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