Adoption Services
Adoption Services, a program of Family Service, provides a full-service adoption program with education and counseling. Our goal is to promote respect for adoption and all those involved in the adoption process-birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptee. Family Service has been a state-licensed adoption program for more than fifty years. Trends have come and gone, but Family Service's commitment to quality service for adoptive parents, adoptee and birthparents has remained the same.
Many families have been enriched through adoption the Family Service way. Children are our number one priority. We recognize that each adoption is different and the needs of all parties are considered. We want you to feel comfortable calling the adoption staff with any of your adoption concerns. We are here to help.
Infant Adoption
The infant adoption program provides for the needs of very young children. The infants available through this program are primarily children from the state of Pennsylvania whose parents have participated in a counseling program and have made an adoption plan for their child.
Family Service has had an infant adoption program for over fifty years. Most of the adoptions occur as the result of a birth mothers decision to use Family Service's Pregnancy Services. This program allows birth parents to choose the adoptive family. Our adoptions range along a continuum of open to closed, with the majority of birth parents requesting updates and pictures. Both adoptive and birth parents are valued clients at Family Service. Our primary focus is always on finding loving homes for children.
International Adoption
Family Service works in conjunction with a wide variety of placing agencies to assist you in your international adoption process. Each of these agencies has programs in countries throughout the world. The process is handled jointly, with Family Service providing you with the home study and post adoption supervision and the placing agency providing you with assistance in the actual identification and placement of the child.
Special Needs Program
The special needs adoption program provides for the needs of older children, members of sibling groups, and children with medical, physical and emotional special needs. Adoption Services is affiliated with the Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN), a program set up and funded through the state to provide homes for special needs children. In addition, Adoption Services facilitates the adoption of children from other states. Foster to adopt options are available to all families.
Interagency Adoption
There are many agencies in the United States that offer Domestic adoptions. Family Service works in conjunction with a wide variety of placing agencies and attorneys to assist you in your independent adoption process. The process is handled jointly, with Family Service providing you with the home study and post adoption supervision and the placing agency providing you with assistance in the actual identification and placement of the child.
Unplanned Pregnancy
Decisions about your future and the future of your child may be the toughest ones you will ever have to make. Seeking the professional, caring help of Family Service can make you more comfortable with your decision. We offer services to expectant parents who are preparing for an unplanned pregnancy through professional counseling and pregnancy planning. Services are provided by a master's level counselor who is trained in pregnancy related issues. Family Service has provided quality pregnancy counseling for over fifty years.
Home Study
Individuals wishing to adopt must be approved through a home study. The home study is the social investigation, study, and preparation of a family who wishes to foster or adopt. It is a process that through interviews allows our staff to get to know you, your strengths, resources, and interests. The home study is an educational and introspective process.
Education
Adoption Services offers many flexible educational classes throughout the year. The series of classes focus on the adoption process and the issues related to parenting children who have been neglected or abused. A free orientation and information session is also available.
Post Adoption and Post Permanency Services
As an affiliate of the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network, Family Service is able to provide services to any adoptive family in the state of Pennsylvania, regardless of the type of adoption. Advocacy address the needs of the family. Respite services allow you to take a break from the daily care of the child and have some time apart. Support groups are available to meet other parents and obtain help and support with daily concerns.
Searches
Adoption Services also offers search services for individuals adopted through this agency. We provide the support needed to the adoptee, the birth family, and the adoptive parents. There is a fee for this service. Search services are also provided to the Lancaster County Court.
Investigations
Adoption Services does investigative reports on all independent and relative adoptions processed through the Lancaster County Court. Home investigations are also available for custody cases.
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