Adoption in Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville Adoption, Home Studies and More
Adoption Services for
Birth Parents and Adoptive Families
Please choose where you’d like to begin:
Information about placing
a child for adoption
or
Information about adopting a child
Are you in Gainesville, FL, and are you interested in learning more about adoption? Contact Lifetime Adoption. With more than three decades of experience connecting birth mothers and loving adoptive families, our experienced adoption coordinators are ready to guide you through the adoption process. As one of the nationwide leaders in open adoption, Lifetime Adoption Agency will give you access to webinars, one-on-one support, counseling, referrals, articles, and much, much more.
Help for Pregnant Women in Gainesville, FL
Are you experiencing a surprise pregnancy in the Gainesville area? This may be a stressful time. However, help is available. Just reach out to Lifetime Adoption. An adoption coordinator will explain the entire open adoption process and help you make an adoption plan.
Are you interested in an adoptive family that is emotionally and financially ready to bring a child into their family? At Lifetime Adoption, you can pick a family with the lifestyle and values you hope your baby will be raised with. You will know that you are not saying goodbye to your baby forever. You can choose a family that wants the same amount of contact you are interested in.
An unexpected pregnancy can bring some unexpected expenses. If adoption is your choice, you can receive assistance with some of these expenses. Your adoption coordinator will tell you what expenses may be covered, such as maternity clothes, rent assistance, transportation to doctor’s appointments, food, phone, and more.
Some think adoption is just for newborns, but it is never too late to choose adoption. You may be parenting a special needs child, toddler, or sibling set, and a Lifetime Adoption coordinator can help you create an adoption plan.
Even if it feels uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to call or text Lifetime Adoption to get more information about our Florida adoption services in Gainesville. You will always find a kind and non-judgmental coordinator ready to listen and share adoption information with you.
Adoption Agencies in Gainesville
Your Lifetime Adoption coordinator will be ready to provide:
- Several adoptive parent’s profiles. All of the Lifetime families have had background checks and a home study completed.
- You can take advantage of peer and professional counseling both during your pregnancy and after at no cost.
- Assistance may be available for pregnancy-related expenses such as maternity clothes, labor bags, and other pregnancy items you may need
- And much more!
Adoption Counseling in Gainesville
In addition to professional counseling, peer counseling is also available. A peer counselor is a birth mother who now dedicates her time to helping other birth mothers through the adoption process. She can help you deal with your emotions and share her story. She will be able to understand your feelings and give you advice.
Maternity Hospitals in Gainesville
- When you deliver your baby, who would you like in the room with you?
- After delivery, who would you like to cut the cord?
- Who would you like to hold and feed your baby first?
These are just some of the questions your coordinator will have for you. Your coordinator will also make sure the hospital staff and adoptive family are aware of your hospital plan.
If you are in Gainesville, the hospitals with labor and delivery services are:
The Gainesville Adoption Process
To begin the adoption process, just call or text Lifetime Adoption, or you can go online to fill out the contact form. You can expect a Lifetime Adoption coordinator to give you all the information you need and to answer all of the questions you have.
Your Lifetime Adoption coordinator will then show you how to access online adoptive family profiles and will send you family profiles she believes would suit you and your baby. You can view Lifetime adoptive family photos, letters, personal information, and most have video messages as well. This will help find out more about who they are. Click to view adoptive family profiles online.
Open adoption means you will be the one to make all of the choices for yourself and your baby. For example, would you like the adoptive family to live in Florida or perhaps in a different state? Would you like a family of a certain faith? Would you like a family that has other children or does not have any other children? Your Lifetime Adoption coordinator will ask for your preferences and will lead you through your adoption journey.
Pregnancy can bring about some unexpected expenses in Gainesville, and your adoption coordinator can help you find the resources you need. Whether you need help starting prenatal care, you need some maternity clothes, perhaps some other personal toiletries, or other pregnancy-related needs, help is available.
Ready to get more information? Give us a call or text today.
Other Paths to Adoption in Gainesville
Another option is kinship or relative adoption. If you have a family member who is open to adopting your child, this may be a great solution. Think about all the pros and cons be sure everyone understands that adoption is a permanent solution. Adoption does not mean you are taking over care for a period of time. Boundaries and roles of all involved will need to be spelled out.
Think about all of these options before deciding what is best for you and your baby.
Child Adoption in Gainesville, FL
Is adopting a baby or young child in Gainesville, Florida, an option you are considering? Get started on your adoption journey today. Lifetime Adoption coordinators are available to help your adoption dreams come true. They will answer your questions and provide information and guidance. Lifetime Adoption in Gainesville, FL focuses on open, domestic adoption. Start your adoption journey today.
Adoption for Adoptive Parents in Gainesville
Apply online at Lifetime Adoption by filling out the free online adoption application. Once pre-approved, an adoption coordinator will contact you who is dedicated to creating a successful adoption story for the birth mother, the adoptive family, and most importantly, the child. If you are in Gainesville and are interested in adopting a newborn or child up to the age of six, give us a call at 727-493-0933 to access more information.
You will find all the education resources, referrals, and support you need for a successful adoption journey at Lifetime Adoption.
Adoption Attorneys in Gainesville
Home Study Services in Gainesville
As part of your home study, you will have background checks run, provide financial and employment verification, have a home visit by your home study social worker, and participate in mandatory education hours required by the state of Florida.
You will need to gather the following documents:
- Financial statements.Any financial documents you have, such as tax returns, pay stubs, profit and loss statements, and any other supporting documents.
- Health statements attest to your mental and physical well-being from a medical professional.
- Five written references collected from friends, co-workers, or anyone else that know you and can share their belief that you are ready to be adoptive parents.
- Autobiographical letters that explain why you are choosing to adopt and what your feelings are on parenting, marriage, along with the hopes and dreams you have for your family.
- Background checks – for everyone in the home who is past the age of 12. You will need local, state, and federal background checks.
When your home study social worker visits your home, she will talk to all members of your household and evaluate your home. This is to verify that you have a safe and loving home to raise a child in. The final home evaluation will be submitted to the judge for adoption finalization.
In addition to your home study, the state of Florida requires twelve hours of education. There are many opportunities to access different educational resources at Lifetime Adoption, such as articles, classes, webinars, and podcasts.
Finalization of Adoption at Court in Gainesville
The final legal step for your adoption process is adoption finalization. According to Gainesville, Florida laws, this will happen no less than 90 days from when you get custody of the baby. In that 90 days, there will be one home visit within one week of the placement and then three additional visits. These visits will be conducted by your home study social worker once a month until they are done.
To finalize your adoption, your attorney will file all the legal paperwork and will schedule the finalization hearing date. Your hearing will most likely be at the Alachua County Courthouse in Gainesville. First, the judge will review all adoption documentation and will review your home study. Next, she will issue the adoption decree, and it is time to celebrate!
Begin the Adoption Process
Getting the adoption process started is quite easy. Simply fill out our online application. It is free to apply and does not obligate you in any way. Once pre-approved, you will be contacted by an adoption coordinator to get you going on your adoption journey.
Other Paths to Adoption
Gainesville International Adoption Agencies
What other adoption options are there? International adoption is one other option. Some families hear about orphans in other countries and feel a call to adopt a child from another country. It is very important in these cases to work with an adoption agency that has proven success in international adoption in the country of your choice. Each country has its own unique laws and requirements. The country’s current political and social climate can affect adoption as well.
Nations in Africa, China, and Eastern Europe tend to be the more popular countries to adopt from. You will want to keep in mind that any political or social uprising can interfere with your adoption plans. Popular international adoption agencies are:
Foster Care Adoption
Foster Care Adoption in Gainesville
A third adoption option is foster to adopt. In this case, you work with Florida Department of Children and Families to complete all the necessary steps to qualify as a foster family:
- Attend a mandatory foster parent orientation.
- Complete the foster parent education required by the state. Have a fingerprint-based background check.
- Complete your mandatory home study to prove you are able to foster a child.
AdoptUSKids is another way to adopt a child through the foster care system. You can view the many waiting children from Florida and other states. Adoptive families will need to complete their home study and all other requirements the state mandates completely.
Keep in mind that foster care and international adoption usually involve children with special needs and older children. The plus side is the cost of adoption can be lower, and sometimes the wait time can be shorter than domestic adoption.
Working with Lifetime Adoption
Lifetime Adoption is a top adoption agency in Gainesville, Fl. Whether you are a birth parent or an adoptive parent, we are ready to help you with your adoption journey.
Mardie Caldwell
Funding Your Adoption
Called To Adoption
Open Adoption Webinars
We are a Safe Haven Approved Agency.
Lifetime Adoption, Inc. is a Licensed Child Placing Agency in Florida. (License FL 100096562)
Lifetime Adoption, Inc. is a Licensed Child Placing Agency in Arkansas. (License AR #00050809)
Copyright © | Lifetime Adoption