Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 29, 1990 TAG: 9004260456
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TRACY WIMMER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The waiting period, costs and restrictions vary from agency to agency. If a couple or single person strikes out with one, they may get lucky with another.
Some aspects don't differ: All agencies offer pre- and post-pregnancy counseling for birth mothers, as well as foster homes for birth mothers who need a place to stay during pregnancy.
All agencies perform home studies, which are evaluations of prospective adoptive parents. All agencies will make three follow-up visits to the adoptive family within six months of the child's placement. Both the home study and the follow-up visits are required by law in Virginia for an adoption to be final.
Here's a description of adoption agencies based in Roanoke:\ Catholic Charities of Southwestern Virginia - 820 Campbell Ave. S.W. Roanoke, Va. 24016. 344-5107:
Established in 1967, Catholic Charities is a private, non-profit agency whose services are open to people of all denominations. Catholic Charities operates a private home for unwed mothers who use the agency's services.
Catholic Charities places white infants as well as black and mixed-race children. They place few handicapped or older children.
Catholic Charities also has a Intercountry Adoption Program.
In 1989, Catholic Charities placed 15 children: 10 white infants, four biracial children and one black child.
Waiting period: For a healthy white infant, five to eight years. For a foreign infant, two years or less. Wait varies for special-needs children.
Costs: $100 application fee plus 10 percent of gross combined income based on the 1040 income tax return; maximum fee is $8,500. Fees cover costs of services for birth mother.
Fees for foreign adoption range from $8,000 to $22,000, depending upon the country from which the child is coming.
Requirements for parents: For adoptive parents of domestically born children, at least one member of the couple must be under age 40 at the time they register.
No more than two healthy white infants can be placed in one family. No more than one healthy white infant can be placed in a family where there is already a biological child.
Requirements for couples interested in adopting special-needs children are less stringent. For those who want a foreign child, restrictions vary depending on the country.
\ Children's Home Society of Virginia - 1620 Fifth St., Roanoke, Va. 24016. 344-9281.
Established in 1898, the Children's Home Society of Virginia is a statewide, non-sectarian agency licensed by Virginia Department of Social Services.
In 1989, 28 children were placed through the Roanoke office, including white and mixed-race infants, black infants, black older children and white older children.
Because it has so many names on its waiting list, Children's Home Society is not accepting applications and is uncertain as to when it will do so.
Waiting period: For a healthy white infant, average is six to nine years. Wait varies for special-needs children.
Costs: $750 for couples with a combined income of $15,999 or below. That fee gradually goes up to a maximum of $6,000, or 8 percent of a combined income above $35,000.
Requirements for parents: Both adoptive parents must be between ages 25 and 40, married at least three years and have no more than one child to be eligible for a healthy, white infant. There can be no more than 45 years age difference between the adoptive parent and the child.
Single white people are not eligible for white infants. Black singles are eligible for black and mixed-race infants.
\ Virginia Baptist Children's Home - 860 Mt. Vernon Lane, P.O. Box 849, Salem, Va. 24153. 389-5468
Established in 1890, the Virginia Baptist Children's Home is private, non-profit agency placing healthy white infants. In 1989, three were placed.
Waiting Period: For a healthy white infant, the average is four years.
Costs: $4,500.
Requirements for parents: Couples must be childless and Baptist to use the agency's services.
\ Virginia Department of Social Services - 215 West Church Ave., Room 307, Roanoke, Va. 24011-1520. 981-2408.
Handles all types of adoptions; the state mandates that the department accept all children.
While most of the children are physically healthy, some adoptees require counseling. Last year, the Roanoke City Department of Social Services placed 21 children for adoption. Only four were infants.
Waiting period: For a healthy, white infant, average wait is two to three years. Wait varies for special-needs children.
Costs: None. Subsidies offered for people who adopt special-needs children.
Requirements for parents: There can be no more than 40 years between the age of the child and the adoptive parents. Exceptions are made for special-needs children.
Only childless couples may adopt white infants.
by CNB