Frequently Asked Questions by Adoptive Families
Below are answers to the most frequently asked adoption questions by adoptive families. We encourage you to reach out to A New Beginning with any additional questions or consider attending an Adopting Information Seminar. Adoption professionals are available during business hours and through outchat option on this webpage.
Am I eligible to adopt?
Each adoption program has a specific set of general eligibility requirements. A New Beginning offers an Infant Adoption Program, Foster-Adopt Program and provides necessary services for International Adoptions. Between the three programs, we are searching for
- Marital Status: married couples, singles and same-sex partnership families.
- Age requirements: 25 years or older, note international programs may differ
- Residence: For Infant program, must be a US Citizen; For Foster-Adopt and International, must be an Idaho resident.
Please visit each of the program pages for the specific program requirements.
Who are the children available for adoption?
There are many children available for adoption, domestically and worldwide. A New Beginning Adoption Agency works with birth families who select an adoption plan for their babies, network with Health and Welfare Departments across the nation to help find homes for older children and sibling groups currently in foster care and partner with various International Adoption Agencies who help place orphans ages baby – seventeen. Each of A New Beginning’s adoption programs are a little different. Please visit the program pages for more specific information.
Tips when considering your program:
- Infant Adoption – There are far more families who wish to adopt, than infants who are adoptable. It is very likely that when your family begins their adoption process, your baby is likely not born yet.
- Foster-Adoption – Over 100,000 children are in foster-care right now, waiting to be adopted. They are living in foster-homes, but the rights of their biological family have been terminated and the reunification process has been exhausted. These children are waiting for a forevery family.
- International Adoption – there are millions of orphaned children worldwide, who need permanent families. The individual country’s requirements, restrictions and culture determine which children are available for international adoption, at what age they are adoptable and the the health status.
Infant Adoption Program
Foster-Adopt Program
International Adoption Program
Individual Adoption Services
Is there financial help for adoption expenses?
Adoption Tax Credit
Yes. There is a federal adoption tax credit available to eligible adoptive families at $13,000 per adopted child (the amount changes each year). Please connect with your accountant to verify your eligibility and to maximize the credit. For more information, visit here.
Adoption Benefits through employer
Several companies provide adoption assistance. The Adoption Benefit is often considered a non-traditional benefit and may not be published in the regular human resources documents. Contact your employer’s Human Resources department for more information.
Fundraising
Families have creatively raised funds through various self-hosted events or through crowd-funding.
Grants
Grants are available through various resources and could include your place of employment, associations in which you are part of, bank etc. We encourage you to research and locate potential grants specific to your situation. Google “Adoption Grants” and determine which of the grants may work for you.
Home Equity Loans/Retirement Plans
Many adoptive families have been very successful when borrowing against their home and/or other assets to pay for their adoption. It’s often a lower interest rate than other convential/personal loans.
How long do we have to wait to adopt a child?
Can the birth family change their mind?
How much information will I receive about the birth family?
Is a Home Study required?
Is training provided to help adoptive families with the adoption?
What is open adoption?
My home study was completed by another agency or a certified adoption professional. Can I still enter A New Beginning's program or utilize other services?
International Adoption agencies will not accept certified adoption professional’s home studies and some states are “agency only”states, which means they will only accept home studies and post placement supervision from a private agency.