Christian Family Care Agency has been providing adoption services to Arizona families and children since 1982. The Agency is licensed by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the Arizona Department of Health and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).

Become an Adoptive Parent
Whether you are considering adopting an infant, an older child or a child with special needs, the following information will help you better understand the adoption process.

Infant and Voluntary Older or Special Needs Child Adoption
Families wishing to adopt an infant or child placed voluntarily through Christian Family Care Agency are invited to request an infant adoption information packet. After returning the initial paperwork included in the packet, families wishing to continue the process will meet with a caseworker for an initial assessment and to answer any additional questions. Those wishing to continue with the program:

Take the Taylor Johnson Temperament Analysis
Have their fingerprints taken
Schedule medical exams for each adult and have a physician complete and sign the Physician’s Report Form
Complete all forms

Once the above is completed and an application is submitted, a social worker begins meeting with the family to complete the home study process. This social worker interviews the family, receives necessary documents from them and other sources, and writes a home study. This process typically takes 60-90 days.

Before, during, or after the home study process, the family attends one of the Adoption Education Classes to learn more about adoptive parenting. Once the family is certified to adopt and completes all classes, they are available for placement of a child. Birth parents typically select a family for their child by reviewing family profiles which prospective adoptive families have created to introduce themselves to birth parents. In most cases, birth parents wish to meet the prospective adoptive families before making a family selection. Prior to placement of a child, the birth and adoptive families mutually decide on the nature of their on-going relationship. CFCA strongly advocates for fully-disclosed open adoptions whenever possible.

Placement of the infant typically occurs directly from the hospital into the certified home. Though the birth parents cannot sign consent to the adoption until the child is at least 72-hours (three days) old, most birth families and adopting families choose to have an immediate placement. Transitional foster care is available prior to placement, when necessary or desired by both parties.

After the birth parents finalize their adoption consents, the adoptive parents may sign placement papers and their petition to adopt. A three- to nine-month waiting period follows the filing of the petition. The social worker conducts periodic post-placement home visits until the adoption is finalized. The social worker then submits a final report to the Court prior to the hearing summarizing the child's development and recommending the adoption be finalized. The adoption is finalized by the Court.

Older Child and Special Needs Adoption

Families wishing to adopt an older or special needs child and/or provide foster care through Christian Family Care Agency are invited to attend an orientation meeting.
If a prospective family is only open to adoption, and is not interested in foster parenting a child who may not become available for adoption, they would be certified to adopt only and placed on CFCA's waiting adoptive couple list to await a voluntary CFCA placement and/or in the Central Registry to be matched with a child from the state waiting for an adoptive home. Most of these children are school-age or part of a sibling group.
Potential foster and fost-adopt parents are licensed through Christian Family Care Agency as foster parents, which includes participating in a home study process and meeting all licensing qualifications/requirements.
Before, during or after the home study process, the family attends foster parent educational classes.
A foster child who has a case plan which may move towards severance and adoption is then matched with your family.
Following placement of a fost-adopt child in the prospective adoptive home, and completion of the birth parent legal process, the adoptive parents may sign placement papers and their petition to adopt.
A six to nine-month waiting period follows the filing of the petition. The social worker conducts monthly or bi-monthly post-placement home visits until the adoption is finalized. The social worker then submits a final report to the Court prior to the hearing summarizing the child's development and recommending the adoption be finalized.
The adoption is finalized by the Court.

Open Adoption

CFCA adoptions are almost always open adoptions. A fully disclosed open adoption involves a face-to-face meeting between the birth and prospective adoptive parents prior to placement; an exchange of identifying information; and a commitment on both sides to ongoing contact. The degree of openness in an adoption varies greatly from family to family. Some birth parents want to receive an annual update and pictures while others desire ongoing in-person contact.

Child-centered open adoptions begin with a close and trusting relationship between birthparents and adoptive parents creating an unique partnership that acknowledges not only the parties' mutual respect and shared love for the child, but also their separate and distinct roles.

Closed adoption is a relatively new phenomenon. Prior to the 1930s the idea of a closed adoption didn’t exist. There were no confidentiality requirements, adoptions were informal, and what records existed were left open. Very often there was communication between the birth and adoptive families. In the 1930s, for a variety of reasons, the Child Welfare League of America endorsed closed adoptions. By 1950, most states had passed laws mandating sealed adoption records. In the 1970s the first generation of adoptees placed in “closed” or “confidential” adoptions reached maturity and began lobbying for adoption records to be unsealed. It is now widely accepted that closed adoptions do not necessarily serve all parties well and consequently some states have passed laws unsealing adoption records, allowing adoptees access to their personal information.

Christian Family Care Agency believes open adoption is a healthy choice for birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees. It allows the birth parents to maintain a relationship with the child, through letters or visits, so that they can see for themselves that the child is thriving in the adoptive home. The adoptive parents in turn are secure in the knowledge that the birthparents fully support the adoption. And most importantly, the relationship gives the child direct access to information and support from the birthparents, which allows for the healthy development of the child's identity and self esteem. Additionally, we have found that easy and direct access to information over time reduces a child’s fears and fantasies and deters his or her potential feelings of rejection and abandonment.

CFCA was the first agency in Arizona to involve birthparents and adoptive parents in some level of openness in adoptions. In the beginning, openness primarily involved letter and picture exchanges and a one time face-to-face meeting. Nationwide, this level of openness has become standard practice.

CFCA never requires birthparents to choose an open adoption and some birth parents may not see the value of openness, or may feel unable to let go and stay connected at the same time. Although having openness in an adoption is not always in CFCA's control, CFCA seeks adoptive couples who are able to understand the value of openness and grasp the need their child may have to know their heritage. We desire to work with couples who are not threatened by a child’s need to know their birth parents and understand the many positive benefits this knowledge brings.

Children Waiting for Homes
If you are interested in adopting one of the many children who are in need of a loving home through Christian Family Care Agency -

In Phoenix/Northern Arizona, call 602.234.1935

In Tucson/Southern Arizona, call 520.296.8255

or submit the Request Information Form on the Contact page.

Families Waiting to Adopt

If you would like further information about one or more of the families that are interested in adopting a child at Christian Family Care Agency -

In Phoenix/Northern Arizona, call 602.234.1935

In Tucson/Southern Arizona, call 520.296.8255

or submit the Request Information Form on the Contact page.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OPEN ADOPTION

What is adoption?
Adoption is the permanent, legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from a child’s birth parents to adoptive parents.

Are there many adopted children in the United States?
Yes. It is estimated that approximately 1 million children in the United States live with adoptive parents, and that between 2% to 4% of American families include an adopted child.

Who can adopt a child?
CFCA places children with families who can best meet the child's needs and this includes both singles and couples, with and without children. Adoptive parents don’t have to be of the same race or have the same ethnic background as the child they adopt. They don’t have to own their own home or have a minimum income level. They do need to be willing to make a life-long commitment to nurture and care for the child.

Are there any age restrictions when adopting?
The Court’s guidelines are that parents should not be over 65 when the child is 20. In some cases, exceptions can be made. In an infant adoption, age may be a factor for birthparents in selecting an adoptive family.

How long does it usually take to adopt?
Adoption timeframes vary, but the following are some general guidelines:

It takes approximately four months to complete the home study and certification process.
The average wait prior to infant placement is 14 months.
The wait for placement of an older child through the state varies widely and depends greatly on the age and characteristics of the child families are open to considering.

Christian Family Care Agency is committed to making the wait times for both parents and children as short as possible and will work with you to complete all steps in the adoption process quickly. In general, the more situations you are open to (older child, sibling group, medical challenges, etc.) the more likely it is that you will receive placement in a shorter time.

What is the role of birth parents in adoption?
In most infant adoptions, birth parents choose the adoptive parents for their baby, meet with the prospective adoptive family in person and desire to develop an ongoing open adoption relationship with them.

What kinds of children are waiting for families?
All kinds. Ages range from toddlers to teenagers. Virtually every race, ethnic group and socioeconomic category is represented. Older children, sibling groups and children with physical and emotional disabilities often wait longer to find a permanent home. CFCA's infant adoption program also places children of different ethnic backgrounds, and some infants are considered to have special needs such as substance exposure or a family history of physical or mental health concerns.

How does adopting through a private agency differ from adopting through an attorney?
Full-service agencies, like Christian Family Care Agency, provide services to both the adoptive parents and the birth parents. Birth parents receive decision-making counseling, help with medical care, housing, pregnancy related expenses, and post-adoption support and counseling. This helps them make sure that adoption is the best plan for the baby and themselves.

We also provide support services to the adoptive parents that many attorneys do not provide. The home study process prepares families to be adoptive parents and we continue to provide educational and support services for families and children after the adoption has been completed.

Additionally, as a full-service agency working with both birth and adoptive parents, Christian Family Care Agency is always careful to share all its information about individual children with adopting parents.

Do experts think open adoption is a good idea?
Yes. Most adoption social workers acknowledge that some type of openness in adoption is healthy and desirable. Those best qualified as “experts” may in fact be the adoptees themselves. Among those raised in closed adoptions, the reports are mixed; many report that they are perfectly happy not knowing their birthparents, while others state that they would really like some type of contact with them. Some even report being angry that vital information is being withheld from them. Among those who do have contact, however, the results are much more uniform: overwhelmingly those children and teens raised with an open adoption cannot imagine it any other way.

If the adoption is open won’t the birthmother change her mind and want the baby back?
There is no more likelihood of that happening in an open adoption than there is in a closed adoption. In fact, a birthmother who can watch her child grow up in their adoptive family, and be assured the child is happy and healthy, is more likely to reach acceptance in her grieving process, lowering the chances she’ll have a change of heart. And in either case, her ability to legally interfere in any way is prohibited by the State.

Won’t an open adoption make me just a babysitter or at best a co-parent?
Open adoption is still adoption, and that means you are the parent. The birthmother does not retain any parental rights. She cannot interfere with your parenting in any way. All decisions, including any decisions about visits with the birth family, are yours to make.

What if I want to move to another state?
Open adoption in no way limits your ability to make decisions for your family, including where you will live. However, continuing contact between the parties is still in the child's best interest.

Won’t the child be confused about who his real parents are?
Children are very adept at sorting out complex relationships when they are told the truth. Children are much more likely to be confused and frustrated by secrecy and mysteries.

Aren’t there some adoptions that just shouldn’t be open?
Yes. There are some times when contact with a birth family is inappropriate. Fortunately, this is the rare exception.

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FINANCIAL QUESTIONS ABOUT ADOPTION

Is adoption expensive?
Adoption, as with any child, requires a financial commitment by the adopting family.

See the section below regarding "Financial Assistance" to learn about making adoption from Christian Family Care Agency more affordable through federal adoption tax credits, employee benefits programs, state subsidies and loans. So we provide professional services to adopting families based on a sliding scale fee.

Why does CFCA charge a fee for adoption when so many children need homes?
Christian Family Care Agency is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing high quality services to children, birth parents and adoptive parents. The actual cost of providing services far exceeds revenue from fees. Therefore, we rely on donations to keep adoption fees affordable for our clients.

Agency Adoption Fee

There are fees associated with Adoption. Please contact the agency for details.

These fees only partially cover the cost of the services we provide. Christian Family Care Agency relies on individual donations, grants and general fundraising to keep our fees affordable for our clients. See the "Financial Assistance" section below to learn about making adoption from Christian Family Care Agency more affordable through federal adoption tax credits, employee benefits programs, and loans.

We do not solicit nor accept contributions from adoptive applicants, or persons acting on their behalf, during the period of application or before an adoption has been finalized.

For more information about adoption at Christian Family Care Agency -

In Phoenix/Northern Arizona, call 602.234.1935

In Tucson/Southern Arizona, call 520.296.8255

or submit the Request Information Form on the Contact page.

Financial Assistance
There are many types of financial assistance available to those wishing to adopt. The following information details many of the available programs.

Federal Tax Credit Information
The Hope for Children Act, a federal program, which took effect on January 1, 2002, provides a $10,000 tax credit for all adoptions and increases the employer adoption assistance exclusion to $10,000. This tax credit assists families who would like to open their home to a child, but are prevented or delayed in doing so by the high cost of adoption. Families can spend anywhere from $8,000 to $30,000 to adopt a child and this legislation eases this financial burden to ensure that children quickly find a permanent, loving home.

Will a family be able to claim the full credit by spreading it over multiple years?
Yes, the credit can be applied against tax liability over five years or, beginning in 2002, whenever the family reaches the $10,000 cap, whichever occurs first.

What are considered "qualifying adoption expenses"?
The Internal Revenue Service outlines “qualifying adoption expenses” as "reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling expenses (including amounts spent for meals and lodging) while away from home, and other expenses directly related to, and whose principal purpose is for, the legal adoption of an eligible child."

Will a $10,000 tax credit be enough?
The Hope for Children Act is a healthy start to ensuring more children find a loving home. While some adoptions will cost well over $10,000, raising the limit will aid more families in their efforts to adopt a child in need. The Hope for Children Act is indexed for inflation to ensure that the tax credit and income limitations continue to rise alongside the cost of living. Additionally, the full credit can be claimed for adjusted gross income (AGI) up to $150,000, and is gradually phased out for incomes between $150,000 - $190,000. The tax credit is exempted from the Alternative Minimum Tax.

How does the Hope for Children Act affect special needs adoptions?
The $6,000 adoption tax credit for special needs children is permanent law. However, the tax credit can only be utilized for qualified adoption expenses. While most special needs adoptions are from public agencies and do not have these up-front, 'qualified' costs, the adopting families face other challenges in opening up their home to special needs children. Thus, the Hope for Children Act provides a flat $10,000 credit for special needs adoptions to help families with one-time and ongoing costs such as mental health counseling, physical therapy and medical costs, transportation costs, and home modifications to accommodate wheelchair ramps or large sibling groups. States have their own definitions of special needs children and use determining factors such as the child's age, ethnic background, siblings, and mental, physical or emotional handicap.

How does the employer adoption assistance exclusion work?
Up to $10,000 in adoption assistance provided by an employer may be excluded from an employee's taxable income. This exclusion parallels the tax credit in all forms.

Who should I contact for clarification on my particular tax credit scenario?
Contact the Internal Revenue Service at 800.829.1040 with your specific questions, or consult a tax professional.

PLEASE NOTE: This information is provided as a general guideline on the new provisions of the adoption tax credit. It should not be used as a definitive source of information for individual case scenarios.

Employee Benefits Programs
Many companies offer some type of adoption benefits to their employees. These benefits, depending on your company, may include:

Direct reimbursement in the range of $2,000 to $10,000 upon placement
Paid leave
Unpaid leave

Even if your employer does not currently offer adoption benefits, ask about their availability. You may be able to convince your company to begin offering them.

Your employer may also have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This benefit helps employees deal with unusual personal situations or problems.

Loans
While it's far from ideal to borrow money, adoptive families may find a loan necessary. In some cases you may need a loan just until you receive your tax credit or are reimbursed by your employer. Possible loan sources include:

Private Grant and Special Loan Programs: Adoption loans, both home equity and unsecured, may be obtained through the National Adoption Foundation (100 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 06811; 201.791.3811) They also award grants to needy adoptive parents.
Bank Loans: Some banks offer low-interest loans or credit lines for adoptive parents.

How do we get started?
The first step is to request an infant adoption information packet to learn more about Christian Family Care Agency's adoption programs.

For more information about adoption at Christian Family Care Agency -

In Phoenix/Northern Arizona, call 602.234.1935

In Tucson/Southern Arizona, call 520.296.8255

or submit the Request Information Form on the Contact page.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Adoption Resources

National Adoption Center
Adoption information, training and referrals.

National Adoption Center's Learning Center
A variety of online adoption education, information and support services.

Tapestry Books
The largest company specializing in adoption, infertility and parenting challenges books.

The Evan B. Donaldson Institute
An extensive bibliography of 1,000+ searchable abstracts of adoption-related publications and research.

Recommended Reading

Open Adoption, A Caring Option, Jeanne Warren Lindsay - A positive treatment of the concept of open adoption, this book strongly emphasizes the need for counseling, both for the birth parents and the adoptive parents.

Openness in Adoption, Exploring Family Connections , Harold D. Grotevant and Ruth G. McRoy - The most extensive study to date of open adoptions.

The Open Adoption Experience: A Complete Guide for Adoptive and Birth Families - From Making the Decision Through the Child's Growing Years, Lois Ruskai Melina and Sharon Kaplan Roszia - From the decision making process through the challenges as the adopted child grows, this book touches on almost every aspect of an open adoption.

The Spirit of Open Adoption , James Gritter - A pioneer in open adoption practice, Jim Gritter presents a realistic look at all aspects of open adoption.

CFCA Foster Care and Adoption Resource Library

The CFCA Foster Care and Adoption Resource Library is available for community use. The library, created through a grant received from Ronald McDonald House Charities, includes books focused on adoption, foster care and parenting. It specifically provides resources for families who are parenting children with special needs, particularly those children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Additionally, the library includes a broad selection of illustrated stories about adoption for both preschool- and school-aged children. The library, which includes more than 1,000 books and videos, is located in the Phoenix office at 3603 North 7th Avenue and is open during the Agency's regular business hours.

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