At the information meeting, families will begin to learn about the children that are waiting to be adopted and the steps in CHSFS' adoption process. After the meeting, families interested in taking the next step in this program may complete a registration form to attend the Minnesota Waiting Children adoption education training classes. For families that are still undecided about the program following the meeting, we would encourage you to attend the classes to help you make your decision or an adoption staff person would be happy to talk to you in more depth.

Adoption Education Classes & Application Materials:
The Adoption Education Classes are approximately 18 hours in length and are held regularly in St. Paul and periodically in several locations throughout greater Minnesota. These classes will familiarize you with the children waiting to be adopted and the needs they have. Topics covered include: loss and grief, attachment and claiming, abuse and neglect, child development, cross-cultural parenting and openness. You will also be able to listen to panels of adoptive parents and teens and ask questions. Upon completion of the education classes, you will be given the opportunity to complete a registration form for the Program for Minnesota's Waiting Children.

Click here to view our 2008 MWC Adoption Education Classes.

When our staff receives your program registration form, you will be sent application materials for your family to compete. The application materials request personal information, health history, fingerprint cards and permission forms allowing us to complete background checks as required by current state laws and regulations.

Adoption Study Process:
Upon finishing classes, as part of the home study process, you will also receive several written assignments to complete and return. These include providing written autobiographical information as well as taking the ENRICH (couple relationship inventory) if applicable.

When your application materials and assignments are received, a social worker will begin meeting with you individually in preparation for writing your Adoption Study (home study). This process is designed to help you and your social worker develop a trusting relationship.  This will be important as you work together in the adoption process. Although you will meet primarily with your assigned worker, our program is based on a team approach, and throughout your process, you will benefit from the experience and expertise of our entire staff.

Your individual meetings will include at least one home visit.  If there are children in your home, your worker will talk with them and answer their questions about adoption.  Families and friends also provide important support to your family.  During the process, staff will hold a group meeting with you and the people you identify as your primary supports. In some cases, an outside evaluation or counseling may also be recommended or required.

Matching Process:
Once your adoption home study is completed, you and your social worker will begin the matching process. In this process, you will explore the needs and characteristics of a child or sibling group in the foster care system.  Keeping these needs in mind, your social worker will work with you to explore the strengths of your family and discuss how you might best meet the needs of the child or sibling group.  There are several different resources available to you in order to learn more about children who need a family.  You will be registered on the State Adoption Exchange, which is a referral system that links children and families. Your worker will also let you know of children they learn about through their networking. Other resources you can explore are the Thursday's Child feature that is broadcast on KSTP news; the web sites of MARN (Minnesota Adoption Resource Network) and several counties, or various recruitment events.

When a child has been identified, your Adoption Study is sent to the county social worker responsible for making placement decisions. When you are selected, you will be given additional information to help you assess whether you can commit to parenting this child. You will also have the opportunity to meet with the child's social worker and other significant people in that child's life, i.e. foster parents, therapists, etc. to assist you in your decision-making process.

Once all involved parties have agreed to proceed with placement, pre-placement visits begin. The length and frequency of visits depends on the age and needs of the child being placed. Initially they will be brief and in a location familiar to the child, possibly the child's foster home or community.  The visits gradually increase in length culminating in overnights in your home and finally, placement.


Placement:
After placement, your social worker will remain in regular contact with you to support you during this time of adjustment. We also encourage you to participate in our ongoing support services. When you are ready to finalize, your social worker will give you information on the steps that are required to complete the legal adoption process.


Post Adoption Services:
The adjustments that families and children experience as they become a new family are ongoing. The Program for Minnesota’s Waiting Children is dedicated to providing support to families and children beyond finalization. All of the support services available during placement will remain available for at least 18 months following finalization. In addition, families in the Program for Minnesota's Waiting Children can also draw upon the experience of our Post Adoption Department and utilize therapeutic and educational services they offer.

We hope you are ready to begin!  Click here to register for an Information Meeting.

"I feel that an honest portrayal of all these issues was presented . . . . I appreciate all of the effort to provide unbiased, accurate and reliable information." - CHSFS Adoptive Parent

For more information about the Program for Minnesota's Waiting Children, please contact us by phone 651-646-6393, fax 651-255-2479 or E-mail at mnchild@chsfs.org.