Domestic – Independent Adoptions
Families adopting independently need care, support, and guidance from an adoption agency.
Independent or private adoptions occur when a couple or individual identifies a birthmother who chooses to place her child directly with them. Miriam’s Promise provides home studies and supervision for persons who identify a child for adoption without the assistance of an agency. Please read below to learn about the services of home studies, supervision, and counseling that Miriam’s Promise offers for Independent Adoptions.
Home Studies
Tennessee State law requires that persons filing a petition for adoption must first under go a home study and be approved to adopt by a licensed child placing agency. The usual process for an independent home study includes an intake meeting with the caseworker in the office, individual interviews in the office, a visit in your home, and the submission of forms and documentation about yourself and/or your family. Once the home study is written, it will be staffed and a letter informing the applicants of their approval status will be mailed. If the adoption is an inter-state placement, the home study will then be forwarded to the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC).
Occasionally, a home study is needed on short notice. In these situations, Miriam’s Promise can complete a preliminary home study which is good for 30 days, after which time a complete home study must be completed and submitted to the court. This is in accordance with the Tennessee state laws.
Supervision
Miriam’s Promise can provide the required post-placement supervision for any adoption, even if another agency completed the home study or you adopted from another agency or another state. The state law requires a minimum of one visit per quarter until the adoption is finalized, which in Tennessee is a minimum of six months after placement. Miriam’s Promise will provide a report to the court for finalization.
Counseling
Counseling is available for prospective adoptive parents, birthparents, other family members, and adopted children. Our staff has years of training and experience in adoption counseling and offers caring support to everyone involved in the adoption.
