Adoption Program

Our agency provides the following services regarding adoption:

Counseling and services to birth parents who are considering placing their infant/toddler for adoption. Adoption and alternatives to adoption are discussed with the birth parent(s). Referrals may be made to service providers. Parents may give up their parental rights to the agency by signing a legal form called an entrustment agreement.
Placement of children whose parental rights have been terminated and our agency has custody of the child in an approved adoptive home placement taking into consideration the needs of the child and the ability of the adoptive parents to meet the child’s needs.
Complete adoptive home studies for the court on adoptive parents who may be relatives or non-relatives of a child placed in their home directly by the parent(s) of the child. Fees are charged for these home studies based on income and family size.
Complete adoptive home studies for the court on stepparent adoptions. A stepparent adoption is when the spouse (husband or wife) of a birth parent is adopting their spouse’s child. Fees are charged for these home studies based on income and family size.
Complete dual foster/adoptive home studies on parents who desire to become foster parents but would also be interested in adopting the foster child in their home if the child was freed for adoption.
Share non-identifying information from adoption records when requested by an adult who was adopted in Chesapeake, Virginia as a child or when the adult was adopted in Chesapeake, Virginia and the adoption record is sent to our agency.
Search for the birth family of an adult who was adopted in Chesapeake, Virginia as a child when such a request is received from the Virginia Department of Social Services.
Conduct adoptive home studies on parents residing in Chesapeake, Virginia when requested by an agency from another state for a specific child in the custody of a state agency. This request must come from our Interstate office in Richmond, VA. Fees may be charged based on income, family size, and time spent.

How do I become an adoptive parent?

We are not currently conducting home studies for prospective adoptive parents. If your specific interest is adoption, please contact a private adoption agency.

How do I become a foster/resource parent?

Foster Care Program

What are the basic requirements to become a foster/adoptive parent?

To become a foster/adoptive parent you must meet the following criteria:

21 years of age or older
Married or single (no co-habitation or living together)
Physically and mentally healthy
Sufficient income to meet your own needs
Safe, loving and stable home
Space for a child's bed and clothing in your home
Working telephone
Reliable transportation

What is required for the home study?

The home study includes the following: home visits to your home, three or more interviews, three references per adult applicant, federal, state, and local criminal checks, child abuse and neglect checks, DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) checks, TB tests on all household members, physicals on adult foster/adoptive parents within the last 12 months, financial paperwork, background paperwork, fire escape plan, disaster plan, proof of marriages and divorces, animal shot record and license, and other information.

Can I specify what age and sex of child I prefer? Can I choose if I want a sibling group? Can I state what disabilities I will accept?

Yes, you can inform your social worker during the home study process what type of child you prefer or if you will consider a sibling group. The social worker will find out what disabilities, if any, you will accept. The social worker will obtain very specific information from you.

Will I receive financial assistance for the child?

The agency will provide a monthly payment for room and board, clothing, and other expenses. An enhanced maintenance payment may be provided for a child who has special needs and requires extra supervision, support, and services by the resource parent. A yearly clothing voucher will be supplied based on the age of the child. Medicaid is provided to cover medical and dental costs.

Can I become approved only as an adoptive parent?

We are currently not conducting home studies for the purpose of adoption only. If you are interested in becoming an adoptive parent, you will need to contact a private placing agency.