Home > Adoption > Steps to Adoption Through Department of Social Services
Posted on June 18, 2010 by Russell W. Hall III
Steps to become an adoptive parent
- Contact one of the Department of Social Services' regional offices to inquiry and receive application.
- Application completed and returned to the regional office which serves your resident county.
- Complete SLED/ Fingerprints and Child Abuse Central register releases on all members of household 18 years and older.
- Attend 14 hours of preparatory training to help with self evaluation of the types of children which would fit into your family.
- Fire and sanitation inspections completed on home by the Fire Marshal and DHEC.
- Home Visits: adoption specialist visits the home and completes interviews for pre- placement investigation.
- Three/ Four References received and interviewed by adoption specialist.
- Medicals are required on all family members.
- Provide copies of birth certificates, Marriage license and divorce petitions and decrees if applicable.
- During assessment family and agency assess qualifications and readiness to adopt.
- Approval received and family considered for children along with other approved and waiting families.
- Placement committee selects family and notifies family and family is presented full background on child/ children for whom family is selected.
- Family meets child and begins visitation with child.
- Placement occurs when child and family are ready for move.
- Post placement period begins and can continue up to 12 months..
- Finalization of the adoption in Family Court.
- Adoption Preservation services are available upon request after the finalization of the adoption. Adoption is a lifelong process, counseling and other referral services may be available to the family as needed and requested by the family.
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