This document defines adoption and describes the adoption process. It provides statistics on adoption in the US and explains the different types of adoptions. The document also discusses open and closed adoptions, as well as related careers such as social work.

1. Child Adoption What is Adoption? Courtney Elizabeth Parsons Block B Reading November 22, 2011

2. What is Adoption? Definition : The legal process by which a person becomes a lawful member of a family different from their birth family. The adoptive parents gain the same rights and responsibilities as birth parents. Adoptive children gain the same rights as birth children in regard to inheritance, child support and other legal matters. At the time the adoption is finalized, the adopted child’s name is legally changed, and the court issues a new birth certificate .

3. What is Adoption? Statistics : Many adoptions occur because children need to find permanent loving families for children whose birth parents can not raise them. In the United States, there are about two-million adopted children under the age of 18. Each year, approximately one-hundred-fifty-thousand children are adopted. Two-thirds of them by their relatives.

4. What is the process of adoption? All prospective people wishing to adopt must first participate in a full investigation , which includes an assessment completed by a juvenile court officer, or a licensed social worker. This investigation determines whether the child is suitable for adoption by the adopters and whether the adopters are suitable for the child. The assessment is known as the home study , and usually lasts six to eight weeks.

5. What is the process of adoption? Information on each family member of the household is investigated on medical and criminal background, child abuse history, documentation of income and financial resources, family structure within the home (other children, etc.), religious, education, physical and mental health history of all household members, and parenting background of the applicants and their reasons for adoption.

6. What happens during the probationary period? After the child has been placed with the adoptive family for a probationary period, the social worker or court representative continues the investigation by monitoring the placement with visits for six months.

7. How does custody take place? The adoptive family does not assume physical custody of the child until a court of law issues an order transferring probationary custody to the adoptive parents. The home study, and reports on the family must meet all applicable laws. Some Courts require both birth parents to appear at a hearing to give their consent the adoption was freely, knowingly, and voluntarily given.

8. Are there different types of Adoption? Adoptions take place in various forms. They are generally classified as independent, agency, step- parents, relative placement, and adult adoption. Independent adoption occurs when birth parents and adoptive families find each other on their own or through the help of an adoption intermediary (a pastor, family friend, or doctor, etc.). Agency adoptions are handled through an agency, and in California, are licensed by the State Department of Social Services; approximately two-thirds of all adoption in the United States are arranged through agencies. In a step-parent adoption , the family adopting is a birth parent with a new spouse; this usually succeeds a divorce or spousal death.

9. Relative placement adoption occurs when another relative assumes physical custody and responsibility for the child. The birth parent is still a minor, has died, is disabled, or The child has been removed due to abuse and neglect. Adult adoption is the process whereby a person eighteen years or older is legally adopted by one or more people eighteen years or older. Are there different types of Adoption?

10. What is open adoption? When the adoptive and birth parents know each other and remain in touch after the adoption, this is referred to as an open adoption. For example, the birth father, mother, grandparents, and other relatives or friends may be permitted by the adoptive parents to contact the child whenever they want.

11. What is closed adoption? In closed adoption , proceedings occurred entirely through a third party adoption agency. The birth parents will not know the identity of the new parents, and will have no say in who gets to adopt the child. Similarly, the adoptive parents will not have contact information on the birth parents.

12. Related Career Social Workers assist people by helping them cope with and solve issues in their everyday lives, such as family and personal problems and dealing with relationships. Some Social Workers help Clients who face a disability, life-threatening disease, social problems, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Social Workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse. Many social workers specialize in serving a particular population or working in a specific setting. Average salary is $22,615 to $55,949 per year. Bachelors degree is the minimum requirement for entry into the occupation, but many positions require an advanced degree. Related Careers: adoption lawyer, therapist, case manager…

13. High School Career Academies Atholton Business Management All Academy course-work is taught at the High School. I picked this academy because this was the closest to my research and my career.

14. University Of Maryland College Park, Maryland, United States $16,000 is the yearly tuition When graduating from High School, you should have taken at least 4 years of English, 2 years of foreign language. 3 years science, 3 years math, and at least 3 years elective credit to be considered. SAT score should also be a minimum of 600 for all subjects to be accepted. Their mascot is the terrapin.

15. Community Service For my community service, I made sandwiches at the church and dropped them off at Grassroots, which is a shelter for families and adult women in crisis. I did this Community service because I love helping and when I see someone in need, I want to contribute.

16. Babysitting Therapist Social Worker Assistant Volunteer at Adoptions Together Agency Prior Job Experience

17. Citations Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_requirements_for_being_accepted_to_University_of_Maryland#ixzz1eqNozQ1v http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/adoption/Federal/what-is-adoption.html http://www.americanadoptions.com/pregnant/adoption_process http://ars.sirs.com/discoverer.html http://sks.sirs.com http://www.worldbookonline.com/?subacct=06506 http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/clar63782 http://www.payscale.com