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There are many different variables in a domestic adoption, meaning each adoption can be very different.
There are some basic steps outlined below, that need to be followed in every domestic infant adoption

To Begin
After you submit an adoption services application to Hands Across The Water, you will be contacted within ten days with information and documents to begin the process.

STEP ONE - A Home Study Is The First Most Important Step
A home study consists of a minimum of four visits with a social worker. At least one of those visits will be in your home. The purpose of a home study is to explore your family history, relationships, and parenting expectations. We consider the home study process a Learning Process - we are learning about you and you are learning about adoptive parenting. There are many documents that are needed in order to complete the home study. Hands Across The Water explains what is needed and provides you with a checklist of documents. You will be given a login and password to access your personal page on our website, where you will have access to download documents you need to complete the home study.

STEP TWO - Expectant Parent Preparation
Although you are learning throughout the adoption process, Hands Across The Water strongly encourages families pursuing adoption to take adoptive parenting classes. We believe the more information you have increases your parenting skills. Hands Across The Water offers monthly classes on various adoptive parenting topics. HATW does require you to complete an infant domestic adoption workbook and read the book Dear Birthmother, and complete a few online courses.

STEP THREE - Locating Your Child
Hands Across The Water wants to partner with you to assist you in locating the birth parent you are in search of. After your home study is complete, you will be working with Hands Across The Water to prepare your adoptive family Profile. We will teach you how to prepare your family Profile so you can convey who you are to the reader – a prospective birth parent. We will teach you how to make the numerous connections/networking you need to make to get your Profile and family noticed. Your Profile will be included in our Waiting Families album and in our online album. Additionally, Hands Across The Water works with prospective birth parents who are considering adoption. Should a birth parent choose adoption for her/their child, HATW will provide them with profiles of approved waiting adoptive families. Hands Across The Water also networks with other agencies throughout the U.S. who work with birth parents seeking a forever family for their child. We frequently receive calls from agencies that are searching for a family for a particular child. Hands Across The Water gives you the tools to make the connections you need to be seen by prospective birth parents. This is what makes our program different- your Family Connection Plan! During this step, we will teach you what you need to know to find that one birth parent that is also searching for you. Additionally, you will have access to ParentFinder.com which is a social network specific to adoption. You will be able to create a webpage that will show any searching birth parents who you are. This is a great tool to get connected with that one special birth family you are searching for.

STEP FOUR - Referral and Placement
This step may vary depending on whether you locate a child within Michigan or in another state.

Michigan - Hands Across The Water will provide the birth parent with counseling if not received elsewhere. Hands Across The Water will handle and process all legal paperwork pertaining to your adoption. We can also license your home to provide interim foster care to your child initially if needed.

Out-of-State - Hands Across The Water will coordinate the adoption process with the out-of-state agency or attorney. Often the adoption placement is made and finalized in the other state. Hands Across The Water can handle all interstate paperwork on Michigan's end.

STEP FIVE - Post-Placement Supervision
This is the six months between time of placement and when the adoption is finalized. Hands Across The Water meets with you and your family in your home and writes a report describing the child's and family's transition, adjustments, progress, and needs. These reports are filed with the court which will finalize the adoption. Hands Across The Water will assist you in locating any necessary services for your child and/or family. Hands Across The Water provides monthly education workshops we encourage you to attend.

STEP SIX - Finalization
Hurray!! The adoption is finalized. Congratulations! Hands Across The Water will submit all necessary paperwork if finalized in Michigan or assist the out-of-state agency or attorney in compiling documents.

Post-Finalization Services - Hands Across The Water is committed to our families formed by adoption. As your child grows we will be available to provide or locate any necessary services you or your child may need. You are still encouraged to attend education workshops on an ongoing basis. Adoption is a lifelong process.

The photos on these pages are of children already placed and are not available for adoption. HATW does not photolist children waiting for adoption via the internet.