Family Service & Children's Aid
MAIN OFFICE   330 West Michigan   Jackson,  MI  49201    517-787-7920   Fax 517-787-2440
FIELD OFFICE  142 East Maumee #2   Adrian,  MI  49221    517-263-2625   Fax 517-263-7369

The Adoption Resource Center

Family Service & Children's Aid is a licensed Child Placing Agency that has been serving children and families since 1944. The Adoption Resource Center (ARC) at FSCA provides a full range of services for families who are interested in adopting children from this country, and all necessary local services for prospective parents who are considering international adoption through a child placement agency in another state.

We offer the following services:
Special Needs Adoption
Post-Placement Services
Infant Adoption
Direct Placement
International Adoption
FAQs
Calendar of Events
Wendy's Wonderful Kids
Contact Us

NEWSLETTER

SPECIAL NEEDS ADOPTION
The Adoption Resource Center places a priority on finding families for the hundreds of older children in Michigan (and throughout the United States) who wait for a permanent home. Usually referred to as "Special Needs" children, these children initially entered foster care due to abuse and/or neglect and their parental rights have been terminated. Most of these children are called Special Needs because they have emotional and/or behavioral problems. These children vary in age, but most are school age, male and African American. Some may have medical problems or developmental delays and many have siblings. There are no fees involved in a Special Needs adoption, other than court costs.
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POST-PLACEMENT SERVICES
The Adoption Resource Center is not only committed to placing older children, but in supporting families through the process. We are dedicated to providing families with the necessary support and training to make a successful placement. Adoption, in our opinion, is a lifelong process and our commitment extends to families throughout their lifetime. After an adoption is finalized, ARC continues to provide support and assistance. ARC maintains a library of resources, which are available for loan. Crisis intervention, referrals, outreach, support groups and workshops are a few of the services we have to offer.
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INFANT ADOPTION
Family Service & Children's Aid also places a small number of infants. Please contact us directly for additional information.
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DIRECT PLACEMENT
For those who have decided to pursue a direct placement adoption (where they have identified a birth parent or intend to identify a birth parent directly), ARC is able to place a priority on beginning their Adoptive Family Assessment. Fees vary with the services selected.
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INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION
The Adoption Resource Center at FSCA works cooperatively with any licensed child placement agency in another state that is chosen by adoptive applicants. We are a partner with Holt International Children's Services in Eugene, Oregon and Children's Home Society of Minnesota. FSCA has the required expertise and experience to conduct a family assessment, guide applicants through the immigration process and provide post placement, finalization and any other services required or requested.
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ADOPTION FAQ’S
What are the requirements to become an adoptive parent?
Requirements for adoptive parents vary on the type of adoption chosen.  Usually single and married applicants are eligible to adopt.  You do not need to own your own home.  Applicants need to have a stable and safe place for a child to live.

What is a special needs adoption?
Usually referred to as "Special Needs" children, these children initially entered foster care due to abuse and/or neglect and their parental rights have been terminated. Most of these children are called Special Needs because they have emotional and/or behavioral problems. These children vary in age, but most are school age, male and African American. Some may have medical problems or developmental delays and many have siblings.

How much does an adoption cost?
Special needs adoptions:
have no costs involved except for a small court filing fee, which in some cases, may be waived.
International adoption:
fees are determined on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the services required.  Fees to a placement agency of one’s choice are determined by the placement agency selected.
Infant adoption:
fees are based on a sliding scale according to the applicants’ adjusted gross income.  Fees range from $3,600 to $10,000 including the home study/family assessment fee.
Direct Placement adoption:
fees depend on the services needed by the adoptive applicants.

How long is the process?
The length of the process varies depending on the type of adoption selected (special needs, infant, international, direct placement) and the characteristics of a child the applicant(s) will consider.  Our adoption orientation meetings will provide further information about time frames.

What are the rights of the birth parents?
When a child becomes available for adoption, it is because the rights of the birth parents have been terminated.  All court decisions permit a 21-day appeal period, however the appeal has to be based on a legal error.  The Court of Appeals determines whether the case has merit.  A child can be placed in an adoptive home on a legal risk basis until the matter is decided.  Appeals are rarely won.  More information on appeals will be given at an adoption orientation meeting.

What is the next step?
The first step is to attend an adoption information/orientation meeting.  This meeting is designed to give you the necessary information to make an informed decision if the adoption process is right for you and what to do next.  An orientation meeting is the required first step for any family in Michigan wishing to pursue an adoption.

When is the next Adoption Information/Orientation Meeting?
Please check our Calendar of Events    Top

Wendy's Wonderful Kids
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has introduced a new program called Wendy's Wonderful Kids. This program is designed specifically to recruit homes for children who have been waiting in the foster care system for more than 2 years.
view program details    make an inquiry    Top