Traditional Adoption Agency

Traditional Adoption Agency
Within the Traditional Program, the agency is the one who identifies the expectant parent or child for the approved adoptive parents. There are two forms of Traditional Agency Adoption through Adoption S.T.A.R.

Direct Placement: This is when Birth parent(s) surrender their parental rights directly to Adoption S.T.A.R.
Indirect Placement: It is not uncommon that Adoption S.T.A.R. will receive referrals of infants or children from agencies or attorneys it has collaborative relationships with. In these cases the expectant parent(s) will surrender their parental rights with another agency or attorney. Adoption S.T.A.R. clients who successfully adopt through an indirect placement, are still responsible for the placement fee which will be held in escrow pending the successful placement of the child.

The term “expectant parent” is the preferred term over birth parent. One becomes a birth parent when their parental rights have been terminated. At Adoption S.T.A.R., if you are pregnant, then you are considered an expectant parent. Pregnancy in itself is a form of parenting. Adoption S.T.A.R. encourages expectant parents to cherish their pregnancies and birth experiences and to be as involved as they wish in the adoption process.

The agency works directly with expectant parents and receives referrals of expectant parents at all stages of pregnancy. Adoption S.T.A.R. offers expectant parent clients 24/7 availability, free counseling, support and referral services that include help in obtaining housing, transportation, job assistance, continuing education, and of course, appropriate medical care throughout their pregnancy.

When expectant parents are ready to make an adoption plan many adoption options are shared with them. Identifying an adoptive family and matching with an adoptive family is a very important, special and often emotional step.

Often expectant parents choose to be involved in the selection process. Profiles of prospective adoptive parents are shown to expectant parents. These profiles are selected based on preferences and expectations of the expectant parents. Some expectant parents prefer to select adoptive parents who have set up an online profile.

Some of our expectant parents meet the prospective adopters prior to placement, others meet after birth and still others prefer no personal contact. The agency educates all parties on the benefits of developing a relationship that will include ongoing communication after placement, with letters and photographs sent through the agency. Sometimes birth parents and adoptive families are open to the possibility of ongoing visits after placement, which is mutually agreed upon by all parties.

Caucasian Infant Adoption:
This program is open to all residents of New York State and Florida who obtain a home study through Adoption S.T.A.R. The agency recommends considering registering for both the Traditional Program and the Agency Assisted Private Adoption Program.

African American Adoption:
There are more than 500,000 children presently in out-of-home care in the United States. Almost half of these children are African-American. Many African American children remain in foster care or residential care facilities because there are not enough families seeking to adopt them. African American children are expected to remain in foster care 32 percent longer than white children.

Adoption S.T.A.R. believes that infants in need of adoption be placed immediately after birth into permanent adoptive homes, rather than having them enter the foster care system.

Today there is a need to identify couples and singles interested in the adoption of African American infants. Adoption S.T.A.R. will consider couples and singles of all races who reside in New York State and Florida, though often open the program up to residents throughout the United States.

Special Needs Adoption:
Special needs is a broad term and can mean a child of any race born with physical, emotional and / or cognitive challenges. Children with special needs may have Down Syndrome, or perhaps be born affected by prenatal drug and alcohol abuse, or have other cognitive, physical and/or medical challenges. These children are often eligible for a monthly adoption subsidy and Medicaid if they are placed by a NYS Authorized adoption agency such as Adoption S.T.A.R. Children at-risk for developing special needs may be children born to women who used or abused drugs and/or alcohol during pregnancy, or children who were born to birth parents who have a history of mental illness, or children who were born prematurely, etc. These children may or may not be eligible for adoption subsidy.

Families interested in pursuing a special needs adoption, must feel comfortable with their ability to offer life-long advocacy, special education and excellent medical care for their child. Placement fees will be waived or dramatically reduced for the adoption of children with special needs and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. We will not have fees be a barrier to the adoption of children with special needs. This program is open to all couples and singles through the United States.