Approval Process
We realize this is an important decision for you and your family. We are here to support you every step of the way.
1. Contact Us
·Complete Our Interest Form.
·Send an email.
·Or call us at 404.615.5553 to schedule an orientation with an Adoption or Foster Care Specialist.
2. Attend an orientation.
Orientations are designed to inform and educate prospective parents about our organization and the complete foster and adoption processes. All adult caregivers living in the home are required to attend. If the dates provided do not work for your schedule, contact us.
3. Submit an application.
An application will be provided upon completion of orientation.
4. Attend IMPACT and
pre-service training.
IMPACT Training is a mandatory course developed to educate prospective foster and adoptive families about the needs of children in the foster care system. This is an in-person training divided into four 8-hour sessions typically conducted on weekends. Please see calendar for upcoming trainings.
5. Home Study
Your Home Study helps tell your story to determine which child would be best to match with you and your family. The process of completing a home study generally takes three months but can be quicker depending on how fast you want to go.
6. Matching, Selection
and Placement
You work closely with your specialist to identify children that are the best fit for your family. Once a child is identified, we continue to work with you every step of the way.
Matching & Selection
Once a family has an approved home study, we work diligently to match families with children who need permanent homes. Our matching process places great emphasis on the needs of each child and the skills, abilities and expressed interests of potential adoptive parent(s). We work with county and state agencies across the country to identify adoptive families for children in the foster care system. When a match is made based on identified strengths of the family and strengths of a child, two things happen: 1) All available information on the child gathered by CHRIS Adoptions & Foster Care is provided to the prospective family in preparation for a formal presentation. 2) All information on the prospective family gathered by CHRIS Adoptions & Foster Care is presented to the child. Based on the two presentations a match is pursued.
Visitation, Pre-placement
& Counseling
Once a match has been initiated, visitations are scheduled. Counseling is provided throughout the process and in conjunction with visitations for both the prospective adoptive parent(s) and potential adoptive child(ren). Our Family Specialist speaks with prospective adoptive parents prior to and immediately after all visits with the potential adoptive child. This allows the prospective parent to process how they are feeling about spending time with the child and to gather any additional information the family may need to make a decision. Meanwhile the child is also speaking with their DFCS caseworker or therapist after each visit to determine if they feel comfortable moving forward with the adoption as well. Visitations gradually increase in frequency and duration until a placement date is agreed upon.
Placement & Finalization
Placement - The child is now a becoming a permanent part of the family environment and adoptive parents are now responsible for meeting the needs of the child(ren). Placement supervision and counseling continues during this phase. During this time the placing agency is still the child’s legal custodian. The state of Georgia requires that a child live with their adoptive family for a minimum of six months before you are able to finalize your adoption.
Finalization - Congratulations! The finalization of the adoption declared the child as a permanent and legal member of their new family and provides them with all rights of inheritance as a birth child.
Post-finalization Supports
After finalization CHRIS 180 is able to offer an additional six months of supports and counseling services for the child and family in the home or at one of the CHRIS Counseling Center locations. Many families can benefit from assistance following their finalization to ensure they are able to build on the progress they have made building attachment and family connections.
Continuing Education Training
Adoptive and foster parents are required to have 20 hours of continuing education training that will begin 60 days of approval of their home study.