The home study consists of interviews with the individuals in the home and home visits. The adoptive applicants will be required to submit a written autobiography, medical report and physical examination, financial statement, criminal history and child abuse clearances, in addition to several other forms. All forms are provided by the agency. The home study must be conducted and approved by the agency.
Source: www.adoptpakids.org/AdoptionTerminology.aspx
Child Profile
Child Profile - A comprehensive summary of the child's life history.
Source: www.adoptpakids.org/AdoptionTerminology.aspx
Placement
The physical relocation of a child into a pre-adoptive living situation. When placement occurs without termination of biological parental rights, it is referred to as a legal risk placement.
Source: www.adoptpakids.org/AdoptionTerminology.aspx
Supervision
The period after a child is placed with a family and before the adoption is finalized. During this period, the supervising agency maintains regular contact with the child and family to provide supportive services, report on the progress of the adoption and make recommendations as to whether or not the adoption should be finalized.
Source: www.adoptpakids.org/AdoptionTerminology.aspx
Finalization
The last legal step in the adoption process. Only after finalization do the adoptive parents have legal rights and responsibilities for the child.
Source: www.adoptpakids.org/AdoptionTerminology.aspx
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the requirements listed with each of the various types of adoptions, adoptive applicants must meet the following criteria:
* Resident of the Diocese of Erie throughout the Adoption process
* Couples are required to be married at least three years
* A couple's marriage should be recognized according to the practices of their faith
* Upon placement of a child in an adoptive home, a leave of absence from work is required. The length of time is determined by the personnel policies of the adoptive parent's employer.
ERIE ADOPTION STAFF
DUBOIS ADOPTION STAFF
SHARON ADOPTION STAFF
Heather Hough
Ellen Miller
Theresa Weber
Jennifer Hilbrich
(814) 456-2091
Nanci Mattison
Lisa Browse
Lisa McLaughlin
Rene Williams
The current wait for a healthy infant is not able to be determined by a set number of years due to the large number of couples seeking such an adoption.
Birth parents who are considering an adoption plan select the adoptive couple from a book of profiles which contains non-identifying information on the prospective adoptive couples who have filed an application.
In order to be included in a list of potential adoptive parents for a healthy Caucasian infant child,Catholic Charities Counseling & Adoption Services has established the following criteria:
Couples must have an infertility problem
Couples who have a healthy biological child of their own are ineligible for this program
Couples who have previously adopted a healthy Caucasian infant child are also ineligible for this program
This program is designed for those infants with either corrective medical conditions or permanent limitations or disabilities. Certain conditions may be attributed to the child's familial background.
This program is open to single applicants and families with children.
Special Needs adoption includes children who are listed on the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange. They are usually older children who have been in the foster care system, and their special needs vary based on their background. These may include such things as medical conditions, Attention Deficit Disorder, behavior problems or a history of abuse. Families are encouraged to review the internet photo listing to identify waiting children. Families are registered on the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange when their home study is approved. Adoptive parents must complete a mandatory training program as a part of the home study process. Catholic Charities Counseling & Adoption Services is an affiliate agency of the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN).
Important components of the SWAN program:
Children range in age from infancy to adolescence
Sibling groups are available
Children are available through local resources and statewide programs
Children may have a history of physical and/or emotional abuse and have been removed from their home by county protective services. Some placements may occur at a legal risk pending termination of parental rights.
This program is open to single applicants and families with children
Catholic Charities Counseling & Adoption Services works as a home-based agency that provides the training, home study and supervision for parents pursuing an international adoption. International home studies are prepared in compliance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Adoptive family preparation includes a discussion of the processes, expenses, difficulties and delays associated with international adoptions, common medical concerns, effects of institutionalization and post-placement cross-cultural adjustment issues in addition to those areas covered in all home studies. The adopting family also works with an international adoption agency that has direct connections with the foreign country for matching and placement of their child. Each country has different criteria for adoptive parents of its children.
Important components of the International Adoption program:
Catholic Charities Counseling & Adoption Services will work with any state licensed adoption agency selected by the adoptive applicant in preparation for the adoption of a child from another country
This program is open to single applicants and families with children
Important components of the SWAN program: