Q. As an Adoptive Parent how do I get started?
A: The first step in our process is to fill out and submit our Agency Application and Fee. To see our complete process visit "Our Process".
Q. How does an adoption home study work?
A: An adoption home study is a process that ensures the adoptive parents are ready to parent a child. Although the requirements vary by state, most adoption home studies include at least three face-to-face meetings, with at least one taking place in the home. It also includes medical, financial, social and criminal background checks which can take up to six weeks to complete. Once adoptive parents decide to adopt a child, beginning the home study as quickly as possible is highly recommended.
Q. Can Graceful Adoptions help with an adoption home study?
A: We strongly recommend working with a professional who is licensed and/or certified by your state to complete your adoption home study. With Graceful Adoptions you can rest assured that the home study will be handled by a state Certified Adoption Investigator. We have experience completing home studies for families adopting from the US as well as for adoptions from Russia, Guatemala, China, Korea, Vietnam, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Thailand, India, Sierra Leone, and South Africa to name just a few. The home study process can take up to six weeks to complete so start as quickly as possible.
Q. Is Graceful Adoptions a licensed adoption agency?
A : Yes, Graceful Adoptions is a full-service, licensed adoption agency in the state of Iowa. We work with clients nationwide by meeting each state’s requirements through a network of agency partners.
Q. How long does it take on average to match adoptive families with birth mothers and children?
A : Based on those matches made during first quarter 2010, Graceful Adoptions matched in an average of 13.5 days, from the date the adoptive families approved their profile to the time the match agreement was signed by the biological and adoptive parents.
Q. What is Graceful Adoptions fall-through and disruption rate?
A : Based on matches made through first quarter 2010, Graceful Adoptions had zero adoptions fall-through after a match agreement was made between the birth and adoptive parents.
Q. Why does Graceful Adoptions have such great success matching and maintaining relationships compared to some other adoption agencies?
A : Our success is based on three main factors:
- We are selective with regards to the birth mothers we work with.
- We don’t match the mother until she is in her third trimester, thus we get an opportunity to know her before we match her with a family.
- We genuinely care for the mothers and adoptive families. This is a good foundation for building relationships.
Q. Can adoptive parents choose the baby’s gender?
A: Yes, specific genders may be requested. However your preferences in your Family Planning Guide and your adoption home study must match. So if your Family Planning Guide states that you prefer a specific gender, your home study must be updated to match accordingly.
Q. Is there an additional fee to select the baby’s gender?
A: No additional fees are charged to select the child’s gender. However keep in mind that the more you narrow your selections in your Family Planning Guide the longer it’s likely to take to create a match.
Q. Will adoptive parents receive medical or background information about the baby’s mother?
A: Yes. Expecting mothers complete medical and social history forms which are provided to the adoptive parents.
Q. Does Graceful Adoptions request expecting mothers to see a doctor?
A: Yes. We want to do everything we can to ensure the mother and their baby are healthy, thus every mother
who works with Graceful Adoptions will be required to see a physician.
Q. Does the agency ask expecting mothers to provide proof that they are pregnant?
A: Yes. In some states proof is required in order to provide certain benefits to pregnant women such as health insurance.
Q. When do the birth parent(s) sign over their parental rights?
A: In most states parental rights can only be terminated by a court order. Although each state has its own laws regarding this, the process typically starts after the baby is born…usually within 72 hours of the baby’s birth.
Q. What happens if the adoptive parents become pregnant while waiting to be matched?
A: Congratulations!! Graceful Adoptions will allow you to continue as a waiting family however your home study and family planning guide must be updated with this wonderful news.
Q: How is an adoptive family matched with a child?
A: The match is created by the baby’s parent(s). Based on information expectant and adoptive parents answered similarly, the expectant parents will be provided with several profiles for review. After considering each profile they will then decide if they want to talk with a few adoptive families, or they might decide they’ve found the one family that is perfect for their baby.
Q: When does Graceful Adoptions typically match adoptive parents with birth families?
A: Graceful Adoptions’ policy is to try to wait until the birth mother is in her third (3rd) trimester prior to matching her with an adoptive family. This allows Graceful Adoptions to get to know the birth mother, while avoiding unnecessary challenges which often occur with making a match too early in the pregnancy.
Q: What type of information is shared with the adoptive family to help them decide if they want to accept a match?
A: The adoptive family is provided with several documents at the time a match is presented:
1. Proof of pregnancy
2. Expecting parent(s) medical and social background forms as provided by the expecting parent(s)
3. A budget sheet that outlines the anticipated costs for the adoption up to the time the child is placed in the adoptive family’s home
Q: Does Graceful Adoptions work with the adoptive family through the finalization of the adoption?
A: Graceful Adoption maintains contact with the adoptive family through finalization and beyond. The laws of most states prevent Graceful Adoptions (or any other agency) from representing the adoptive family for the finalization of the adoption. However, Graceful Adoptions will work with the adoptive family’s attorney to ensure they have all the necessary information to finalize the adoption. If the adoptive family does not have an adoption attorney, Graceful Adoptions is happy to recommend one to complete the adoption.
Q: I see that Graceful Adoptions has very reasonable fees, when are the fees due?
A: The Application Fee is due with the submission of the Agency Application.
The Family Profile Fee is due with the submission of the Family Profile.
The Family Activation Fee is due at the time the Agreement is executed.
The Agency Fee is due in two equal parts. The first installment is due upon execution of the Match agreement, the second installment is due 30 days prior to the Birth Mother’s expected delivery date.
Q: What expenses (fees) are included in the Agency Fee?
A: At Graceful Adoptions, we want to help adoptive parents accurately budget for the adoption of their child so we include more in our fees than is typically included in adoption agency fees. The Agency Fee covers expenses associated with matching your family with an expecting mother, up to three hours of birth parent counseling, legal services for release of custody, as well as legal services and costs associated with an uncontested termination of parental rights. Most agencies charge separately for these fees.
Q: What options exist to reduce the cost of adoption?
A: The most significant savings comes from the Federal Adoption Tax Credit which may reduce your costs up to $13,170, other benefits include various state tax deductions, credits from the US Military up to $5,000, as well as many employers offer adoption benefits. In some cases, adoption costs may be reduced to almost nothing.
Q. How does Graceful Adoptions ensure that babies are placed with great families?
A: At Graceful Adoptions we are very selective when it comes to the families we work with - our screening process is incredibly thorough. We’re confident that the families we present to expecting parent(s) will provide a safe, secure and loving environment for their baby.
Q. How much will the adoptive family know about the expecting parent(s)?
A: That will depend on the type of adoption selected; open, semi-open or closed. With a closed adoption only medical and social history is shared, while with an open adoption names and contact information are exchanged, any more than that is based on the relationship established.
Q. Will the expecting parents and the adoptive family talk before the adoption?
A: That depends on the type of adoption and the preferences of the expecting parent(s). The expecting parent(s) will have the opportunity to think through this and discuss it with their Adoption Partner. Then, once they decide what is best for their baby, they will include it in their Adoption Plan. If they decide to have contact with the adoptive family, the first contact is usually over the phone.
Q. Does the birth father have to be included in the adoption?
A: In most states the birth father will be notified of the adoption. But the adoption can proceed whether he signs a “consent to adoption” form or chooses not to be involved altogether. If he is supportive we will work with him to make sure we have all the information for a successful adoption.
Q. Can the expecting mother’s parents stop her from choosing adoption?
A: In most states parents cannot legally stop an expecting mother from creating an adoption plan or working with Graceful Adoptions. However we encourage every expecting mother to try to include their parents in their decisions so they can better understand why adoption is the right choice. The bottom line is this…only the expecting mother can decide what is best for her. If she chooses not to include her family or they are not supportive, we will be there ready to help.
Q. Should friends be informed about an adoption decision?
A: We usually recommend sharing the decision with close friends so that they may provide support, however if a decision is made to keep an adoption plan confidential, Graceful Adoptions will honor that request. An Adoption Partner will help decide what is best for each unique expecting mother.
Q. Will the expecting mother be able to see the baby in the hospital?
A: The expecting mother’s wishes are followed throughout the adoption process. She can see the baby, hold the baby, feed and change the baby…it’s her choice. And if she wants to include the adoptive family, she can do that too. Of course, if she prefers not to see the baby, we will honor her wishes and the baby will be placed with the adoptive family immediately.
Q. How do expecting mothers cope with their emotions after the birth of their baby?
A: Having a baby is always an emotional experience. Adoption only makes it more emotional. She may feel sadness, loss, regret and many other emotions…all are completely normal. Her Adoption Partner will be there 24/7 to provide all the support she needs to manage the emotions she may be feeling.
Q. Who is eligible for the Dreams Made Real Scholarship Program?
A: At Graceful Adoptions we truly care about ALL birth mothers. Our Dreams Made Real Scholarship Program is available to any woman who has placed a child for adoption, regardless if she worked with Graceful Adoptions or another agency.