Learn 2 Adopt:
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"We knew we were interested in adopting and read an article about how children with disabilities, even with birth defects as simple and treatable as cleft palate, were spending years in orphanages overseas while children without medical challenges were being adopted easily. My husband is disabled and our first daughter was born with a cleft palate, so we were familiar with dealing with medical challenges. After reading that article we knew we wanted to adopt a special needs child."
- Lisa Fowler, Adoptive Parent
What are children in need of an adoptive home like? Ask Joshua Fowler’s adoptive parents. Joshua was only four days old when his parents, Lisa and Brett, received a call from an Alameda County social worker. The couple rushed to a neo-natal intensive care unit to see the beautiful baby boy who was born with a rare disease, Thrombocytopenia, Absence of Radius syndrome, or TAR syndrome. Only days old, Joshua’s blood would not clot; additionally, he was born with no radial bones in his arms. The blood disorder would correct itself over time, but Joshua would live the rest of his life without forearms. Knowing that Joshua would face special challenges growing up did not deter the Fowlers for one second. Lisa says,“We knew as soon as we saw Joshua in the intensive care unit that he was right child for us. We knew he would complete our family.” Joshua is now a happy toddler, enjoying the love and attention of his close-knit, dedicated family – Brett, Lisa, and their two biological daughters.
Right: FALLING in love - Joshua Fowler, who was adopted last fall, poses for a photo.
Across California, thousands of children are in need of permanent homes. A loving, stable connection to an adult is something many people take for granted, but for these children, it’s the difference between a life filled with love and hope, and one where they exist on the fringes of other people’s lives, never really belonging.
Children in need of forever families are all ages - from newborns to teens – and come from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. These children desperately want a place to call home, and all have a unique story to tell.
Fortunately, couples and singles of every age and background are stepping up to give these children the stability, guidance, and permanent connections they need. By doing so, they help a child do more than survive – they help a child thrive.
Number of Children Who Were Adopted in 2007, By County:
Alameda County | ??? | Learn about adopting in Alameda County |
Different Types of Adoptions
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) lists three types of adoption:
- Agency Adoption – In an agency adoption, a licensed public or private adoption agency or a CDSS adoptions district office places the child for adoption. The birth parent's parental rights are terminated either by court order or by the filing of a relinquishment. The adoption agency becomes legally responsible for the care, custody and control of the child. The agency studies and approves adoptive applicants before placing a child in their home for adoption, then supervises the placement for six or more months before the court approves the adoption.
- Independent – In an independent adoption, birth parents choose the prospective parents and place the child directly with them. When making this decision, a birth parent must have personal knowledge of certain facts about the adopting parents. The birth parent placing the child for adoption must receive an advisement of rights, responsibilities, and options from an Adoption Service Provider (ASP). The birth parent must also sign an Independent Adoption Placement Agreement (AD 924), which in 30 days automatically becomes an irrevocable consent to adoption unless revoked within that time.
- Intercounty – In an intercountry adoption, prospective parents adopt foreign-born children for whom the federal law makes a special immigration entry visa available. Intercountry adoption includes completion of the adoption in the child's native country or in California. This is commonly referred to as international adoption.
For more information, check out the CDSS FAQ page at: http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/PG1302.htm
Anytime a child in need finds a loving home and supportive parents, it’s a good thing. However, this website focuses on agency adoption, and all of the information on the following pages is geared towards this type of adoption only.
Advantages of Agency Adoption
Agency adoption is much less expensive than independent or intercounty (international) adoption. As one parent going through the process in Contra Costa County said, “I like the fact that with the adoption through the county, when the paperwork is done, it’s done. You definitely have a lot of roller coaster moments during the process, but you never have a sense of false security.” Many adoptive parents who used the agency adoption system also felt incredibly supported throughout the process, and benefited from having a social worker’s expert guidance.