The majority of the children in the infant adoption program are newborns. All of the children, regardless of their age or background, need a permanent, loving home in which to grow up.
There are many factors that motivate birthparents to choose adoption. We respect our birth families and the choices they make. Whatever the particular reasons, it is clear to us that adoption is an expression of their love for their child. As one birthmother put it, “I didn’t give my child to a family—I gave a family to my child.”
On occasion, we are in the position of helping to find homes for high-risk infants, whose vulnerable characteristics could include health or medical issues, such as prenatal substance exposure. We commend families with the special desire to adopt an infant with some possible future risks, and we may be able to offer some financial assistance in these special cases.
All families—married, single, or domestic couples—have unique parenting qualities. We encourage diversity, and welcome nurturing families from all different backgrounds and configurations. In order to meet the best interests of a child, we follow some general guidelines.
Birthparents select an adoptive family for their child based on the Family Book the adoptive family creates. Birthparents are looking for a variety of qualities in an adoptive family and their preferences can vary.
Adoptive families also have the opportunity to share with us what is important to them in the child they adopt. It is helpful for us to know a family’s comfort level with different birthparent factors, such as medical considerations and openness. A family’s opportunities can be enhanced if they are able to be flexible about a child’s special needs or background. Families with a particularly high level of flexibility may qualify for Family Support Grants.
We offer adoptive families the flexibility to pay incrementally as they move through each step of the adoption process, instead of a single, lump-sum payment. Families adopting an infant through our agency pay a total cost of $24,000.
A hallmark feature and benefit of our Infant Adoption program is that adoptive families are never burdened with the responsibility of covering birthparent expenses directly. We support birthmothers independently through an agency-based fund. In this way, families can rest assured that their fee will stay fixed and will not increase depending on the birthmother with whom they are matched.
Another potential benefit available to adoptive families is the federal adoption tax credit. An approximately $11,000 tax credit might be available to qualifying families after their adoption has finalized. For further details about this credit, please consult a tax specialist or visit the IRS website.
Birthparents, for their own reasons, come to our agency to willingly place their child with an adoptive family. Boys & Girls Aid works with these birthparents and qualified adoptive families to help make adoption plans that are right for all involved.
The majority of the children in the infant adoption program are newborns. All of the children, regardless of their age or background, need a permanent, loving home in which to grow up. On occasion, we are in the position of helping to find homes for high-risk infants, whose vulnerable characteristics could include health or medical issues.
Boys & Girls Aid believes that some type of open communication or meeting between birthparents and the adoptive family is in the best interest for all involved. Openness reassures birthparents that they have made the right decision and it allows a child to know his/her background and develop a healthier sense of self while growing up. For adoptive families, a pre-arranged agreement means there are set conditions that can be planned around, and it offers the opportunity to better understand a child’s own innate makeup. Each adoption is unique in what each party agrees to and is comfortable with in regards to openness. Birthparents and adoptive families sign a mutually agreed upon Open Adoption Agreement.
We welcome nurturing families from all different backgrounds and configurations. In order to meet the best interests of a child, we follow some general guidelines.
The next step in exploring infant adoption includes joining us for an information session. This will help you and your family determine if this type of adoption is right for you. Boys & Girls Aid will then ask you to complete an application and adoption homestudy to be approved for the program. After some required training and the creation of a family book that we show prospective birthparents, you will be entered into our pool of waiting families.
The pre-adoption process generally takes three to four months to complete. Placement can vary on a case by case basis. On average our placements can occur within one year or less depending on your circumstances.
Families adopting an infant through our agency pay a total cost of $24,000. Our adoption fee falls in the medium to low range of the national average. Unique to our infant program is that adoptive families are never burdened with the responsibility of covering birthparent expenses directly. We support birthmothers independently through an agency-based fund. In this way, families can rest assured that their fee will stay fixed and will not increase depending on the birthmother they are matched with. We also offer you the flexibility to pay incrementally as you move through each step of the adoption process.
Boys & Girls Aid has been a leader and innovator in child welfare and adoption for over 120 years. We offer fixed fees, more possibilities through our two adoption programs, and a lifetime of post-adoption support. Our professional and caring staff are dedicated and experienced at making safe and legal placements. Since we work with birthparents and adoptive families with separate counselors, you can rest assured your information is kept confidential and your best interests are at heart. With us, you are also never put in the uncomfortable position of paying birthparent expenses directly. We’ll be with you every step of the way to help your family grow.
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Infant Adoption Supervisor
503.542.2348
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Birthparent Clinician
503.542.2308
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Birthparent Clinician
503.542.2318
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Training Specialist
503.542.2338
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Adoption Clinician
503.542.2344
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Outreach Coordinator
503.542.2343
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Adoption Program Coordinator
503.542.2349
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Post Adoption Clinician
503.542.2314
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Adoption Clinician—Western Washington
360.314.7723
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Adoption Clinician—Eastern Oregon and Washington
541.429.0945
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Adoption Clinician—Oregon Coast
541.921.1996
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On-Call Clinician
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On-Call Clinician, Trainer
Boys & Girls Aid believes that some type of open communication or meeting between birthparents and adoptive families is in the best interest for all involved—especially the child. We help families establish a comfortable degree of openness and help facilitate contact with the birth family, whether that comes in the form of picture/letter exchanges or family visits.
Openness reassures birthparents that they have made the right decision and it allows a child to know his/her background and develop a healthier sense of self while growing up. For adoptive families, a pre-arranged agreement means there are set conditions that can be planned around, and it offers the opportunity to better understand a child’s own innate makeup. Each adoption is unique in what each party agrees to and is comfortable with in regards to openness. Birthparents and adoptive families sign a mutually agreed upon Open Adoption Agreement.
Our trained, compassionate counselors help adoptive families and birthparents explore the amount of openness with which they are comfortable. As adoption professionals, we understand and endorse the positive outcomes and benefits of open adoption. While we encourage openness, we also believe that an open adoption thrives on mutuality. Contact between parties can take on many forms, resulting in a healthy and satisfying exchange.
Adoption is a meaningful, lifelong journey. We are committed to providing ongoing counseling support for our adoptive families, and for our birthmothers.
Matching an infant with their forever family is an important and lifelong decision. That’s why we take great care in our matching process. Very briefly, here is what you may expect as you explore adoption with Boys & Girls Aid.
Start by learning more about the adoption process at Boys & Girls Aid. You may attend one of our information sessions, or schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. Contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) at 503.542.2348.
Complete our Infant Adoption Application for our adoption team to review. You may submit your completed application to:
Boys & Girls Aid
Attn: Faye Moore
018 SW Boundary Court
Portland, OR 97239
Fax: 503.224.5960
Your assigned adoption clinician, who will work with you throughout the entire process will visit your home and conduct interviews to find out more about you, your home, and your family. A mandatory training may occur at any point during the home study process. Topics of this training include attachment and bonding, grief and loss, child development, risk factors, and openness.
Your Family Book includes photos and messages that reflect your home and family. It also includes a letter that you will write to the birthmother. Family Books are reviewed by prospective birthmothers to help them learn more about you and the home you can offer a child.
When you have completed all the above steps, you will join the other families who are waiting to to be matched with a birthparent.
When you are selected by a birthmother, you and the birthmother will meet to discuss whether this is a good match for you, the birthmother, and the child.
When you are selected by a birthmother, upon the birth of the baby, the first phase of the adoption process is complete. No two families have the same experience adopting a child. Placement of the child typically happens at discharge from the hospital. After the child is in your home, the amount of contact between you and the birthmother depends on various factors. Your Boys & Girls Aid adoption clinician continues to be available to you to facilitate post-placement visits, and to answer questions and provide support during the finalization process.
Coming soon.
TOTAL PROGRAM FEE = $24,000
Payment for each stage of service is required prior to proceeding to the next stage.
1. APPLICATION & INTAKE FEE- $1,000.00
Due: With application.
2. HOMESTUDY FEE- $4,000.00
Due: Upon submission of adoption questionnaire, during homestudy process.
This fee covers the services necessary to prepare a homestudy and includes consultation and guidance in preparing for adoption, interviews and the home visit(s). It pays for the detailed assessment of a family’s appropriateness as an adoptive resource.
3. PROGRAM ENTRY FEE- $6,000.00
Due: After homestudy approval, prior to entering the waiting family pool.
This fee includes, but is not limited to, the following services:
The Program Entry Fee supports the Agency’s services to birthparents that are considering all options, including those birthparents choosing to parent their children.
4. MATCHING PROCESS FEE- $5,000.00
Due: When a family chooses to move forward with a specific birthparent.
The fee includes consultation, counseling, mediation, and planning services to the family and to the prospective birthparent(s) from the time of the match until placement. This fee is only due one time, regardless of the number of birthparent matches.
Families beginning the matching stage of an adoption with Boys & Girls Aid must agree to put any and all other potential adoption plans on hold.
5. PLACEMENT AND SUPERVISION FEE- $6,000.00
Due: When a child is placed with the family.
This fee includes:
6. POST ADOPTION SERVICES- $2,000.00
Due: Within three months of the placement date and prior to finalization.
Post adoption services assist the many adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive parents who wish to communicate with one another after the placement. These services begin at the time of placement and are provided for a lifetime. Services include letter/picture exchange, updating medical information, and facilitating communication. When the adoptee is age 18, separate fees for Adoption Registry and Search & Reunion may apply.
*Program Fee does not include Attorney Finalization Fee (averaging $800-$1000)
We offer Family Support Grants to moderate income families based on their financial situation and desire to adopt higher risk infants.
Adoptive parents or infants may live anywhere in Oregon or Washington to qualify.