Episode Details

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Are you considering adoption to create your family this year? We’ve got answers to all (or most) of your questions. Join our discussion with Molly Berger, MSW, who has been with the Adoption Center of Illinois for 12 years as an adoption social worker. She counts it an honor to work with adoptive families and expectant parents.

In this episode, we discuss:

Part 1: Domestic Infant Private Adoption in the US

• What is the process?
• What are the reasons that pregnant moms are placing their children for adoption?
• Explain the matching process. How do expectant parents find and choose adoptive parents?
• What is The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)?
• What is Open adoption? Why do expectant parents need to educate themselves about open adoption?
• What special needs are common in domestic infant adoptions?
• How long does it take? What factors influence this time?
• How much does it cost? What factors influence this cost?
• How do failed matches impact the cost of adoption (that is, when an expectant mom decides to parent rather than go through with an adoption plan)?
• What are the differences in adopting via an adoption agency or an adoption attorney?
• What is the first step prospective adoptive parents should take if they are interested in adopting a baby?

Part 2: Adoptions From Foster Care in the US

• What is the process?
• How do you adopt your foster child (one who has already been placed in your home)?
• How do you go about adopting a waiting child, or one who is not currently placed with your family?
• What are the reasons children come into foster care in the US?
• What ages and races of children are most commonly available for adoption from foster care?
• What are the typical special needs prospective parents should expect to consider?
• How long does it take to adopt from foster care?
• How much does adoption from foster care typically cost?
• What is the first step prospective adoptive parents should take if they are interested in adopting from foster care?

Part 3: International Adoptions to the US

• What is the process to adopt from another country?
• What is the Hague Treaty, and why is it important for prospective parents to understand?
• What types of special needs do we most commonly see in children available for adoption from abroad?
• How long does international adoption take? What factors influence this time?
• How much does it cost? What factors influence the expenses?
• What is the first step prospective adoptive parents should take if they are interested in adopting internationally?
• Understanding Transracial/Transcultural Adoption
• What is transracial adoption?
• What should prospective parents understand about raising a child from a different culture than their own?
• What are racial mirrors, and why are they valuable for

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