Adoptive Families’ Frequently Asked Questions
10. How do I know you are a reputable agency?
The Society was founded in 1896. We are licensed by the State of West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Children and Families. We are accredited through the Council on Accreditation and are members of the Children’s Home Society of America and National Council for Adoption. We are a non-profit agency and would be happy to provide you with a copy of our most recent Annual Report upon request.
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11. Can we adopt intercountry through your agency?
Yes. We have partnerships through several Hague Accredited agencies throughout the United States who have the ability to work with you to adopt from various countries. You may select your own Primary Provider agency and as long as we are comfortable with that agency’s accreditation and history of ethical services, the Society will work as your local agency for the homestudy, support, and post placement services. Our agency requests verification of a valid child-placing license, copy of liability insurance, and they must be willing to complete a cooperative agreement with our agency. This helps us insure potential adoptive parents and children are receiving quality services from a reputable agency.
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12. When is an adoption final?
For domestic adoptions West Virginia law requires a child must reside in your home a minimum of six months prior to finalization. During that time the Society conducts at least six supervisory post-placement visits by a social worker to ensure the children and families are adjusting. The six-month supervisory period also allows time for discussing adoption and parenting issues. Finalization occurs after the six month period and at a court hearing the Judge issues a final adoption decree. At that point, the adoptive parents become the legal parents of the child.
For intercountry adoption please refer to guidelines of the country from which you are seeking to adopt.
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