Part VI: How Long Do I Have To Wait?

How long do I have to wait? It’s one of the most often-asked questions. A simple answer is difficult because with adoption, there are many choices, and so many variables. For example, in our domestic program, the wishes of future birth parents must be taken into consideration. Second, your flexibility in terms of the type of child you wish to adopt, also plays a part. Third, the adoption program you wish to pursue as well as other countries you would consider, also affect your wait time. Each adoption is unique, and so too is the length of your adoption process.

In 2007, with 28 placements, the average waiting period was 10 months after a family went on profile, with a range of 0 to 42 months. In 2005, with 26 domestic placements, the average waiting period as seven months, with a range of 0 to 28 months.

Another frequently asked question is, "When can the home study begin? Can we get started right away?"  The answer is yes, we can start your home study fairly soon, if that is your desire. However, obtaining a home study does not guarantee the placement of a child; and unless you are pursuing an identified adoption, having a home study may not speed up the timetable for your adoption.  

Some potential domestic adoptive parents want to have a home study done so that they can proceed with efforts to find a birth mother through their own contacts. If you already have a home study from another agency, and would like to apply to Sunny Ridge, you must still complete an application. If accepted, Sunny Ridge will review your home study, update the study and usually transfer your foster care license to Sunny Ridge. You will also be asked to complete the Sunny Ridge educational process.

We also suggest that you check to see if your family medical insurance plan would be able to assume some of the medical costs incurred by the birth of a child to be adopted. Some businesses provide their employees with an "adoption benefit" that helps to offset your costs. It is our experience that these resources have enabled some adopting parents to financially afford to adopt a child, which may not have been otherwise possible because of unusually high medical bills. See more resources available to make adoption affordable.

Part VII: Conclusion