Domestic

Madison’s domestic adoption program is a highly desirable program due to its flexibility and availability of infants. Prospective adoptive parents are provided with training and education about the adoption process and the issues involved in adoption. Madison will work with families to complete a profile, including written information and pictures, that possibly will be presented to birth parents who are making an adoption plan for their child.

The adoption process will vary depending on the wishes of the birth parents. In some cases, birth parents do not wish to select a family for their child themselves. When this occurs, Madison will present the situation to the first available, paper-ready family who are a good fit with the situation.

Often, birth mothers will review family profiles and select the family they wish to raise their child. This may involve pre-placement meetings between the birth parents and adoptive parents. Most domestic adoptions completed by Madison will be semi-open, meaning that adoptive families and birth families may exchange yearly letters and/or photos. Birth and adoptive families can agree to the amount of information to be exchanged, and the time frame for sharing pictures and information about the child after placement. These exchanges of information will be done through the agency. Open adoptions can also take place for birth and adoptive families who desire this type of arrangement. Most often, newborn infants go home with their adoptive families directly from the hospital.

The Children

Most children who are adopted through the domestic program are placed with their adoptive families as newborns. It is rare that toddlers or older children become available, although it does happen. Children placed for domestic adoption come from all ethnic backgrounds, including Caucasian, African-American, Asian, Latino, and Indian. There are numerous reasons that birth parents choose to make an adoption plan for their child, and Madison does not judge any decision as long as it is made with the goal of providing what is in the best interest of the child.

The Home Study

Every adoption process begins with a home study performed by a licensed social worker. The home study process is intended to not only investigate suitability issues, but also to help adoptive parents understand the unique issues that may come up during and after the adoption, and to prepare parents for raising an adopted child. A social worker will meet with adoptive parents to prepare the home study by gathering information about each parent’s background, relationships with family and friends, education, career history, finances, attitude toward discipline and other parenting issues. Each adoptive parent and any other adult household members must obtain criminal and child abuse background clearances. For families who reside in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Illinois, Madison will serve as the home study provider. Once the home study is completed and approved, Madison can begin to help adoptive families to prepare a profile for presentation to birth parents.

Eligibility

This program is highly flexible. Families of almost any description, including married couples, single persons, divorcees, and non-traditional families, can adopt a child through our domestic program. There are no agency restrictions regarding age, race, color, religion, or family size. Eligible families must have an approved home study, and current child abuse and criminal clearances. Families must also have the desire to provide a safe, permanent, and loving home for a child.

The Birth Parents

Madison provides trained counselors who are available to answer birth parent phone calls at all times. We provide assistance, counseling and one-on-one support to birth parents who need to investigate the right choice for their child’s future. Madison will already be personally familiar with the birth parents by the time you are matched with them. Prospective adoptive families will receive basic information about the birth parents, and they will receive a copy of your prepared profile.

The Adoptive Families

Madison will be with each adoptive family through the entire adoption process, providing the same support and encouragement that we offer to the birth parents.

Waiting Times

Most birth parents want to be involved in the decision about who will raise their child. Once a birth parent has selected the profile of their ideal adoptive family, we will arrange for the next steps. Waiting times vary greatly; however, the degree of flexibility of the adoptive parents can affect the length of the wait.

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