Adoption Services - Children`s Home Society of Florida

Contact us to receive more information
about building your family through adoption.
Children’s Home Society of Florida Adoption Offices
BUCKNER
Northeast Florida
(904) 493-7744
EMERALD COAST
Panama City/Central Panhandle
(850) 747-5411
NORTH CENTRAL
Tallahassee/Big Bend Area
(850) 921-0772
SOUTH COASTAL
Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe Counties
(561) 868-4312
SOUTHWEST
Southwest Florida
(239) 687-9965
What does it cost to adopt?
Costs of adopting a child vary depending upon the
type of adoption. CHS fees are based on the cost
of the services provided. For example, international
adoptions may cost more than domestic adoptions
due to country fees and required travel.
TREASURE COAST
Okeechobee/Treasure Coast/Central Florida
(772) 429-2007
WESTERN
Pensacola/Western Panhandle
(850) 266-2713
For additional information on adoption services in your area,
please visit www.chsfl.org or call (800) 247-4600.
What happens to the adoption record?
Adoption records in Florida are sealed, and CHS
provides confidential lifetime maintenance of
adoption records. If your child wants to search for
a birthparent, he or she must wait until reaching
18 years of age before we will assist with contact.
Adoption services available:
• Home studies for domestic and international
adoptions
• Post-placement services
• Choice of openness with birth parents
• Confidential lifetime maintenance of adoption
records in our Adoption Archive Unit
• Ongoing post-adoption counseling
1485 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 1448
Winter Park, FL 32792
www.chsfl.org
Children’s Home Society of Florida recognizes that some of our clients may
have particular communications needs. We will make available auxiliary aids,
sign language interpreters and foreign language interpreters at no charge in
order to meet these needs. To request such assistance, please contact your
local Children’s Home Society of Florida office at the number listed above
at least 48 hours prior to the date the assistance is needed.
Adoption Services
Building families through adoption
Who is Children’s Home Society of
Florida?
Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) has
provided quality services to children, birth parents
and adoptive families with professionalism and
compassion for more than a century. We are
a private, not-for-profit organization located in
communities throughout Florida. We are accredited
by the Council on Accreditation and licensed by
the Florida Department of Children and Families.
How does CHS select families for
available children?
We find parents for children…not children for
parents.The guiding force behind each adoption
is the child’s best interest. Every effort is made
to match the specific needs of the child with the
parenting potential of the family.
What is the process?
After meeting CHS eligibility requirements, all
prospective adoptive parents must go through an
extensive process called a home study, required
by the State of Florida. Prospective
adoptive parents will participate
in an application
interview, a fee
assessment meeting,
individual interviews
and a home visit.
Additional training
and educational
seminars on
adoption and
parenting issues
are offered as
needed.
How do you screen and approve
adoptive families?
All prospective adoptive families must complete
a home study, which is an extensive process that
includes background screenings through local, state
and federal law enforcement agencies. Additionally,
we receive reference letters from family, friends
and employers; prospective adoptive families also
participate in individual and couple interviews
with a social worker to determine their social,
physical and financial stability. Further, we carefully
review documentation of family history, medical
examinations and financial status. While the process
can be intensive and somewhat invasive, it is necessary
to ensure these precious children are placed in safe,
secure families best suited to meet their needs.
What is the legal process?
Under Florida law, we wait until 48 hours after the
baby is born or until the birth mother is medically
cleared to be discharged from the hospital before
any legal paperwork is signed. Once the paperwork
is signed, the document is legal and binding unless it
can be proven in court that the consents were taken
under fraud or duress. Placement paperwork is
completed with the adoptive parents to legally place
the child in their home, and post-placement services
are provided for at least 90 days to ensure the baby
and adoptive family are doing well together. Once
the post-placement services conclude, the adoption
will be legally finalized.
What about the birth father?
We encourage birth fathers to be involved at
whatever level they’re comfortable. We understand
that sometimes this involvement needs to be handled
separately and privately, but having all relevant parties
participate ensures the placement is safe and legal.
Do I have to meet the birthparent(s)?
Meeting a birthparent is just one aspect of an open
adoption. Although openness in an adoption is not
required of adoptive families, many birthparents
feel more comfortable placing their children with
a family that they have, at least, some non-identifying
information about. Meeting a birthparent can also
have benefits for the adoptive parents and, later, for
the adopted child as well. This can be discussed with
your social worker in more detail.
How soon after birth can the baby be
placed with the adoptive family?
In most situations, the baby can be placed with
the adoptive family directly from the hospital.
Is adoption permanent?
Yes, every adopted child is permanently and legally
part of the adoptive family with full rights to
inheritance and a lifetime family relationship.
Are services available after the adoption?
Yes, counseling services are always available to
CHS adoptive parents, birthparents and adoptees.
Many questions may arise about child rearing,
additional medical or background information, or
what adoption means to those involved. CHS is
here to help.