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The Georgia
Association
of Licensed Adoption Agencies |
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Home |
Members |
What's New |
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Frequently Asked
Questions
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For Birthmothers: |
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Is there someone I can talk to? |
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Most licensed agencies provide
counseling to pregnant women. The counseling provided is free and
confidential. |
The following agencies offer
birthparent counseling:
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How will I pay my expenses associated with the
adoption? |
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Each agency has
its own policies for helping birthmothers medical and living expenses. The agency you work
with can help you with
finding a doctor and hospital to meet your needs. |
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There is no
expense incurred by you if you make an adoption plan. |
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Can I choose my baby's parents? |
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Yes, most
agencies allow you to choose the family for your child. Usually, you are
given several profiles of families that are waiting for children and who
have traits that you have requested. For example: age, marital status,
race, religion, parenting values or number of children already in the
family. |
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The following agencies
allow you to choose the family for your child:
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Can I see my child after adoption? |
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It will depend
on the type of adoption arrangement you make. In some adoptions, the
birth family has some type of ongoing contact with the adoptive family.
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Can I find out how my baby is doing as he grows
up? |
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Most agencies
provide information to you as your child grows up. Other agencies
arrange for ongoing contact at the placement of the childe. Again, It will depend on the
type of adoption plan you choose. |
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What will my friends think? |
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The right
decision for you is based on your needs and what is right for your baby,
not what others think. You will have
the opportunity to educate your friends about the most wonderful gift
you can give to another human being. The gift of life is very precious and
your desire to cherish that life by making an adoption plan is something to be very proud of
now and in the future. |
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What involvement will the baby's birth father
have? |
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Your baby's
birth father is invited to be part of this process when possible. |
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For Prospective
Adoptive Parents |
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How much will the adoption process cost? |
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Adopting a child in the custody of the State has
little or no cost. Agencies working with the State of Georgia are: |
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Are there older children who need a home? |
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I'm not perfect, can I adopt? |
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Who can I contact about adopting an infant? |
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The following agencies specialize in placing
newborns:
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Can I know the background of my child? |
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Yes, you will be
given all the information available during the placement process. |
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Do I have to be married? |
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No, many agencies
work with single parents. Please contact the agency directly to determine
their adoption policy. |
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Can I adopt a child from another country? |
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Yes, the following agencies offer services in placing
children from other countries:
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Can I adopt a child that needs some special
services, care
and attention? |
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Yes, agencies are
always looking for families for children with special needs in Georgia
and the rest of they United States.
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Most adoption
agencies who place children from oversees also have older or special
needs children available for placement. |
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Do I/we have to have contact with our child's
birth family? |
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It will depend
on the type of adoption you choose. If part of the agreement
you sign includes ongoing contact, whether by letter, email or
visitation, then your agency will support you in this connection. Each agency has different requirements
which will be explained and should be discussed directly with them.
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Can the birth parents come back and take our child
away? |
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No, the laws in
Georgia provide for very secure adoptions. Once the adoption is
finalized, you are a forever family. Your agency will explain the laws
in detail and their policies for placing children.
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Is there financial assistance available? |
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In most
circumstances, assistance is available for families adopting older
children or those with special needs. Each agency will provide you with
the financial information concerning fees and assistance. |
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Can I adopt a sibling group? |
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Yes, all licensed agencies can place sibling groups.
Sibling groups may also be available internationally.
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For Adopted Persons: |
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What support services are available to me after
adoption and can I talk to other adoptees about how it feels to be adopted? |
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There are
services available from the State of Georgia for adoptive parents. Your
agency may also provide post adoption parenting services for your child
or children. |
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Some agencies
provide support groups for adoptive children. |
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Georgia Center for Adoption
and Foster Care Resources & Support
2250 North Druid Hills Road, Suite 145
Atlanta, GA 30329
1-866-A-PARENT
404-929-0401
404-929-0405 - fax
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Is there someone I can contact who can help me
locate my birth parents, give me more information on my background or help
me find the child I placed for adoption? |
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The Reunion Registry is available to provide this kind of information.
404-657-3555
1-888-328-0055 |
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My child is sick and I wonder if it is inherited? |
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Just as with a
birth child, an adopted child could inherit some medical condition.
Agencies provide all the known health and background information to
the adoptive parents and do everything possible to provide complete
information. Many young people who choose adoption for their children
may not know a complete health history for themselves or their family
and some things may not show up until long after the adoption is
finalized. An ongoing connection with the birth family may provide
additional valuable medical information.
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