 |
  |
 |
 |
| Sunny Ridge Family Center is licensed as a child welfare agency by the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (#019976), and by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Family and Children, as a child placing agency. |
 |
| Part III: More Areas for Consideration The primary agency concerns that limit or enhance the possibility of your adopting a child fall into five areas: First, age. Under most circumstances for a Domestic adoption, the adoptive couple's combined age should not be over 85. Although there is a wide variance, most of the couples that have been selected have a combined age of around 70 to 80. The same age consideration is imposed by Sunny Ridge for a pre-arranged adoption. This is also true of our African American program but not our International Adoption program, where programs can be more flexible on age requirements. Second, references. During the formal home study process, five references will be required. One of them should be from your family pastor. References are requested by Sunny Ridge when the home study process has begun. Third, fertility status or medical recommendation. If you are applying for a domestic adoption, a doctor's statement regarding your infertility or medical recommendation will be required during the formal home study. Most couples who apply have already completed a series of infertility tests. As with references, medical records are not required until the formal home study has begun. In the African American program and our International adoption program, fertility is not an issue. Fourth, residence. The Sunny Ridge Domestic Adoption program accepts applicants from the states of Illinois and Indiana. We are only licensed to conduct home studies in these two states. We do however, facilitate interstate adoption for persons living in other states if they have a valid home study from their state and if they have identified a birth mother in Illinois or Indiana. Fifth, financial self-sufficiency. It is expected that the adoptive family be financially able to provide for their current family situation plus assume the additional costs associated with caring for a child and covering the cost of the adoption. You don't have to be wealthy — but you do need to be able to demonstrate an ability to adequately provide for such basic items as food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. A stable financial situation is considered to be very important. Under most circumstances, the domestic adoption program is reserved for a couple with either no children or just one child who is at least 18 months old at the time of application. If you have two or more children already, you may be considered as a potential family for an identified adoption, the adoption of a baby of African American heritage, or the adoption of a foreign-born child. These exceptions will be addressed as you read further.
|