The Scoop on Adoption

Adoption is the legal process by which a person or couple becomes the legal parent(s) of a child who is not biologically their own.

Key points include:

• Types: Domestic, international, foster care, and kinship adoptions

• Process: Home studies, background checks, and legal proceedings

• Open vs. closed adoptions: Varying levels of contact between birth and adoptive families

• Challenges: Potential emotional and identity issues for adoptees

• Benefits: Provides loving homes for children and fulfills parents' desire to raise a child

• Legal aspects: Termination of birth parents' rights and transfer to adoptive parents

• Support: Post-adoption services and counseling are often available

Adoption can be a rewarding way to build families and provide children with stable, loving homes. However, it also involves complex emotional and legal considerations for all parties involved.

There are several different types of adoptions for families to consider. Through education and meeting with adoption professionals you will find the option that is best for you and your family.

1. Domestic Adoption: This involves adopting a child within the same country as the adoptive parents. Example: A couple in California adopts a newborn from birth parents in Texas.

   Details:

   • Can be arranged through an agency or independently

   • May involve infants or older children

   • Often allows for some level of openness between birth and adoptive families

   • Typically less expensive and complex than international adoption

2. International Adoption: Adopting a child from a different country than the adoptive parents. Example: A family in the United States adopts a 3-year-old child from an orphanage in China.

   Details:

   • Involves immigration processes and compliance with both countries' laws

   • Children are often older and may have spent time in orphanages

   • Can be more expensive and time-consuming than domestic adoption

   • May present unique cultural and language challenges

3. Foster Care Adoption: Adopting a child from the foster care system. Example: A couple becomes foster parents to siblings aged 5 and 7, and later adopts them.

   Details:

   • Children are often older or part of sibling groups

   • May involve children with trauma or special needs

   • Usually less expensive, with potential for state subsidies

   • Can start as fostering and transition to adoption

4. Kinship Adoption: Adopting a relative's child. Example: Grandparents adopt their daughter's child when she's unable to parent.

   Details:

   • Maintains family connections for the child

   • May be less formal in some cases

   • Can involve complex family dynamics

   • Often occurs in cases of parental death, incarceration, or substance abuse issues

5. Stepparent Adoption: A stepparent legally adopts their spouse's child. Example: A woman marries a man with a 10-year-old son and legally adopts him.

   Details:

   • Requires consent of both biological parents (unless parental rights have been terminated)

   • Legally establishes the stepparent as a full parent

   • Can provide emotional security for the child

6. Embryo Adoption: Adopting frozen embryos from another couple's IVF process. Example: A couple unable to conceive adopts embryos and the woman carries the pregnancy.

   Details:

   • Allows adoptive mother to experience pregnancy and childbirth

   • Less common and may have different legal processes than other forms of adoption

   • Can involve open or closed arrangements with genetic parents

Each type of adoption has its own unique processes, challenges, and benefits. The choice often depends on the adoptive parents' preferences, circumstances, and the available children in need of homes.

The adoption process for individuals in the military community is like that for civilians but with some additional considerations and potential benefits. Here's an overview of the process tailored to military families:

• Standard adoption steps: Military families follow the same basic steps as civilians (home study, matching, placement, etc.)

• Military-specific considerations:

  • Deployment schedules and potential relocations

  • Ability to provide stable home environment despite frequent moves

  • Impact of military lifestyle on child's adjustment

• Home study adaptations:

  • May involve multiple agencies if relocated during process

  • Social workers familiar with military life often preferred

  • Virtual home visits sometimes allowed if deployed

• Agency selection:

  • Choose agencies experienced with military families

  • Consider agencies near current and potential future duty stations

• Financial assistance:

  • Military Adoption Reimbursement Program (up to $2,000 per child, $5,000 per year)

  • Federal Adoption Tax Credit (available to both military and civilian families)

• Leave policies:

  • Military Parental Leave Program: Up to 21 days of non-chargeable leave for adoptive parents

  • Additional leave may be granted at commander's discretion

• Healthcare:

  • Adopted children eligible for TRICARE immediately upon placement

• Support services:

  • Military OneSource offers adoption consultations and resources

  • New Parent Support Program available on many bases

• International adoptions:

  • May require additional planning due to overseas assignments

  • Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) can affect adoption processes in host countries

• Post-adoption:

  • Ensure adopted child is enrolled in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System)

  • Update family care plan to include adopted child

• Continuous communication:

  • Keep chain of command informed throughout the process

  • Discuss potential impacts on service obligations and assignments

• Relocation considerations:

  • If PCS (Permanent Change of Station) occurs during adoption, coordinate with agencies and legal professionals in both locations

  • Some agencies specialize in helping military families complete adoptions across state lines

Military families often find that their lifestyle can be both a challenge and an advantage in the adoption process. While frequent moves may complicate matters, the stability of employment, healthcare, and support systems can be viewed favorably by adoption professionals.

Open Adoptions in Military Families:

1. Communication challenges:

   • Deployments and relocations can affect regular contact schedules

   • Virtual communication (video calls, emails) becomes crucial

2. Flexibility:

   • Agreements often need to be more flexible to accommodate military life

   • May include provisions for periods of limited contact during deployments

3. Geographic considerations:

   • Frequent moves can impact in-person visits

   • Birth families may need to be open to long-distance relationships

4. Security concerns:

   • Families may need to balance openness with operational security

   • Some information about locations or deployments may be restricted

5. Support systems:

   • Military Family Support Centers can offer resources for managing open adoptions

   • Family Readiness Groups may provide additional support

6. Legal aspects:

   • Open adoption agreements may need to consider military-specific scenarios

   • Some states have military-friendly adoption laws that can affect openness

Closed Adoptions in Military Families:

1. Potential benefits:

   • May simplify things for families dealing with frequent moves and deployments

   • Can provide clear boundaries during times of transition

2. Record keeping:

   • Military families need to ensure important adoption documents are always accessible

   • Digital copies and multiple physical copies are often maintained

3. Information sharing:

   • Even in closed adoptions, non-identifying medical information is usually provided

   • Military families should ensure this information is incorporated into military health records

4. Future considerations:

   • Families may need to plan for how to handle potential future contact requests

   • Some adoptees may seek information when they reach adulthood

Considerations for Both Open and Closed Adoptions:

1. Cultural sensitivity:

   • Military families adopting internationally need to consider how to maintain cultural connections

   • This can be challenging in closed adoptions but is often part of open adoption agreements

2. Support services:

   • Military OneSource offers adoption consultations that can help families navigate open or closed adoption choices

   • Many bases have support groups for adoptive families

3. Deployment planning:

   • Families need to consider how deployments will affect adoption arrangements

   • May require designated caregivers who can facilitate open adoption contact in parents' absence

4. Permanency planning:

   • Military families often create detailed family care plans, which should include provisions for adopted children

   • These plans should consider the level of openness in the adoption

5. Education and training:

   • Many military installations offer adoption education that covers open and closed adoptions

   • Online resources are available for military families to learn about different adoption arrangements

6. Adaptability:

   • Military families are often skilled at adapting to change, which can be beneficial in managing evolving adoption relationships

7. Community support:

   • Military communities often have a strong support network that can help families navigate adoption challenges

   • This can be particularly helpful for families managing open adoption relationships from a distance

In both open and closed adoptions, military families need to be particularly proactive in planning and communication. The unique aspects of military life, such as frequent moves and deployments, require additional flexibility and forethought in managing adoption relationships. However, many military families find that their adaptability and strong support systems make them well-equipped to handle the challenges of either open or closed adoptions.