Adoption Resourcesof Jewish Family Service

Frequently Asked Questions from Prospective Parents

What services do you provide for the biological parent(s)?
How do I begin the adoption process?
What is involved in a homestudy and how long does it take to complete?
Is anyone ever turned down after a homestudy?
What are my options for adopting? What are the different types of adoption?
If I want to pursue an international adoption, what will I need to do?
How long does an international adoption take to complete?
Is there any follow-up after an adoption is completed?
What credentials and experience does JFS have doing homestudies and adoptions?
How much will an adoption cost and at what point in the adoption process do fees need to be paid?

Q. What services do you provide for the biological parent(s)?
A. JFS provides free counseling, support, and advocacy. When necessary, a social worker will assist with arrangements for medical care, including labor and delivery, and legal services. In some cases, financial assistance can be provided for temporary housing, clothing, and transportation for counseling and medical appointments.

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Q. How do I begin the adoption process?
A. For all types of adoption, a homestudy is a legal requirement in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A homestudy is an in-depth exploration of the family situation and environment. It is meant to help prepare the individual or family for parenting by adoption.

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Q. What is involved in a homestudy and how long does it take to complete?
A. A homestudy usually takes from six to eight weeks to complete. There are specific state-mandated requirements that must be met. The homestudy includes four meetings with a social worker and the adoptive parents. In addition to talking to the couple together, a social worker will also speak privately with both parents. Usually, three of these meetings take place in the agency, and one takes place during a visit to the home by a social worker.

There are a number of documents that the adopting individual or couple are required to provide, including autobiographies.
For a complete list of required documents, please contact JFS.

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Q. Is anyone ever turned down after a homestudy?
A. In the large majority of cases, the process is completed without a problem. Occasionally, the social worker will suggest that additional counseling should take place as the adoption process proceeds, in order to prepare the future adoptive parent(s) for their new responsibilities. In rare cases, the potential adoptive parents realize that adoption is not the right option for them.

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Q. What are my options for adopting? What are the different types of adoption?
A. There are primarily three types of adoption.

Parental placement adoptions are those arranged directly by the birth parents and adoptive parents. (These are also known as private adoptions, direct adoptions, or independent adoptions.) The agency's role in these adoptions includes completion of the homestudy, birth parent counseling, supervision of the face-to-face meeting between the adoptive and birth parents, and post-placement services.
Agency adoptions take place when a birth parent has placed the child in the custody of an adoption agency for the purpose of adoption. The agency places the child in the home of an approved adoptive family. Long waiting periods are common with this type of adoption due to the large number of adoptive families and the limited number of available babies. Although agency adoptions at JFS are limited to married Jewish couples or singles who are between the ages of 21 and 45 and are biologically unable to have children, all other placement options are available to families of all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
International adoptions are arranged through an agency with affiliations with international adoption agencies or foreign governments that facilitate adoptions. In most cases, the adoptive family will need to travel to the foreign country to complete the adoption process. This type of adoption is becoming increasingly popular because, in recent years, it has become easier to work with private and governmental agencies in foreign countries. The adoption process, parental requirements, costs, etc., vary for each international adoption agency.

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Q. If I want to pursue an international adoption, what will I need to do?
A. Not many international adoption agencies are actually located in the Hampton Roads geographic area. JFS is able to complete your local homestudy and qualify you for your international adoption. Then, you will need to select an international agency to assist you in traveling to your child's home country. The JFS staff is familiar with and can refer you to reputable international agencies that can assist you.

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Q. How long does an international adoption take to complete?
A. In most cases, the adoptive family will travel to pick up their child within 12 months of the initiation of the adoption. This varies from country to country, as well as among the various international agencies.

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Q. Is there any follow-up after an adoption is completed?
A. Post-placement services are required for both domestic and international adoptions. This usually involves three visits with the family and their child, but varies, depending on the type of adoption.

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Q. What credentials and experience does JFS have doing homestudies and adoptions?
A. JFS is a licensed child-placing agency which conforms to the rules and regulations of the Commonwealth of Virginia. State licensing requires renewal every year and at least one on-site evaluation every year. This agency has been providing adoption counseling and services for over 30 years.

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Q. How much will an adoption cost and at what point in the adoption process do fees need to be paid?
A. In most cases, the cost for both domestic and international homestudies is $1400. A complete fee schedule may be mailed at your request.

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