The Adoption Process with Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach

• Information Gathering:  Most adoptive couples begin their adoption journey by researching different adoption options: domestic or international, infant or older child, agency or private attorney.  APO gives you a great deal of information about our agency up front so you don’t have to put a great deal of time, effort, and money into learning about us.  Our information packet is free and online. (See link below.)  If you are comfortable with what you read about us, you are invited to a free Informational Meeting where you can meet us face to face and ask plenty of questions.
  
• Education:  After couples have attended our Information Meeting, they are invited to attend our 2-day Pre-Application Adoption Education Seminar.  It explores adoption from a Biblical standpoint, open versus closed adoption, excellence in adoptive relationships, tax and legal implications, basic parenting issues of bonding / attachment, safety in the home, and more.  A panel of our alumni adoptive and birth parents share their personal experiences with you. This is more than a “class.” It is an opportunity to enter into a community with other couples on the adoption journey.
• Application and Intake:  If you believe APO fits your family, you will complete an application and schedule a one-on-one Intake Interview with our Child Placement Manager.  If it appears we are a good fit, you will be invited to begin the Home Study process.
• Home Study:  A Home Study is required by law for all adoptions.  Its purpose is to assess not only the physical home, but also the family members in the home.  The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has a specific “recipe” for all the information that must be contained in a home study write up: criminal and child abuse background checks, documentation of financial stability, health of each family member, references, and more.  Interviews with each family member will explore topics such as motivation to adopt, marriage, parenting style, home environment, etc.  Once the home study is complete, APO will make the formal approval or non-approval decision.
• Profile Preparation:  You will be given the link to begin building your online profile.  A representative will guide and coach in choosing photos and captions that present you well.  You profile will then go live, not only on APO’s website, but also several other adoption sites.  Bound hard copies of your online profile will be kept at APO so we can show them to expectant parents who don’t have internet access.
• Waiting:  The most difficult step of all…
• Matching:  You will receive that much-anticipated call – an expectant mother has chosen you!  We will arrange a “match meeting” where you can meet face-to-face with her and possibly the father and extended family members.  An APO caseworker will be present to help you navigate this exciting moment.
• Placement:  You will be notified when the expectant mother goes into labor so you can get to the hospital.  APO will be with you during the very emotional hospital experience.  There are many variables at this stage of the process, but in many cases, the adoptive parents can take the baby home 2 days after the birth.
• Finalization:  At the end of the 6-month supervisory period, APO prepares necessary paperwork and sends it to the adoptive family’s attorney. He or she will then schedule the adoption hearing at the courthouse.  Bring family and friends…this is a wonderful time of celebration!