What is adoption?
Adoption is the legal and emotional acceptance of a child into your
family who was not born to you. An adopted child carries the same legal
rights as a birth child and bears your surname. Adoptive parents have
all the responsibilities of birth parents. Adoption must be approved by
a court of law.
Who are the children and where are they now?
Children who need adoptive families range from infants to teenagers.
Most of 
Minnesota's
children waiting to be adopted are school-aged. Many are of minority
heritage; some are siblings who want to stay together. They may have
physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or a combination of these. A
high percentage have been neglected or abused. They currently reside in
foster family homes, group homes, or treatment centers. Some may be
living with extended family members or in kinship placements. These
children are under the legal guardianship of the State of Minnesota.
Who can be an adoptive parent?
Adoptive parents may be married, single, childless, or already
parenting other children. Handicapping conditions do not automatically
exclude you, nor does divorce or a history of counseling. You do not
need to be a homeowner or have a high income. Lincoln, Lyon, Murray
Human Services requires you to be 18 years of age, and if married, you
must be married for over one year. The Agency conducts a criminal
background study on all applicants to ensure the child's safety. You
must be able to provide a secure, stable, environment for a child. Like
all children, children who wait need one or two caring individuals who
are willing to make a commitment to give them a permanent, nurturing
family. Families who adopt children with special needs should have a
flexible lifestyle, realistic expectations, be willing to work with a
variety of service providers, and be prepared for the challenges of
parenting.
How can I become an adoptive parent?
Applicants must participate in the home study process and the required
orientation. The home study is an opportunity for adoptive parent(s) to
learn more about the process and to identify their own parenting styles
in order for the social worker to identify a successful match. Your
social worker is also interested in your health, your significant
relationships and support systems, income and money management issues,
and others living in your household. The social worker is not looking
for a perfect family, but rather, people with realistic expectations
about adoption - and with the capacity to meet the special needs of
available children.
How long does the process take?
In most cases, the home study process takes about six months. Upon its
completion and approval, the family will be registered on the Minnesota
Adoption Exchange. The length of time for making an adoption placement
varies. It depends upon the availability of children and the level and
kinds of special needs the family is equipped and willing to accept.
Once a child is placed in a home, the adoption is usually completed
within three to 18 months.
What information is available about the child referred to me?
Will I spend time getting to know the child prior to adoption? When
a child has been identified for you, your social worker will tell you
about the child in detail before you are introduced. You'll be given
available medical, social, educational and developmental information.
There may be several visits with the child, including overnights and
weekends, before the child comes to live with you permanently.
What services does Lincoln, Lyon, Murray Human Services provide?
Services provided through the agency are limited to individuals and
families who wish to adopt children with special needs. This group of
children may include those who are older, members of a sibling group,
and children who have physical or mental health issues. Because many of
these children have been neglected, abused, and moved from home to home,
they are at greater risk of emerging emotional or behavioral issues than
children who have lived and been nurtured in more stable environments.
The social worker provides education, support and counseling to the
adoptive parents before, during, and after adoption proceedings.
Services are limited to residents of Lyon, Lincoln, and Murray counties.
How much does it cost?
LLMHS does not charge home study fees for those interested in
adoption of waiting children. Some fees incurred in the process, such as
travel expenses and attorney fees, may be reimbursable. Most children
are eligible for medical assistance and ongoing financial support,
depending upon the child's special needs and circumstances. This ongoing
support is called "adoption assistance" or "adoption
subsidy." The amounts are based upon the child's age and needs and
may not exceed payments received in foster care.
