For Adoptive Families FCA (Family & Children's Agency, Inc.) is a private non-profit family service agency with over 60 years of experience serving the diverse needs of families in such areas as individual and family counseling, care for the elderly, and adoption. We are a private agency governed by a Board of Directors and licensed by the State Department of Health and the Department of Children and Families to have our headquarters in Connecticut and place children throughout the United States. What is The Adoption Center?
The Adoption Center at FCA provides pre-adoption counseling, homestudies, and placement of children born in the U.S. and abroad. We also provide post-placement assistance and ongoing services to adoptive families. Fees are based on the services utilized on a pay-as-you-go basis. The Adoption Center has offices in Norwalk, Hartford and Larchmont, NY. What options are there for adoptive parents working with The Adoption Center?
Once you have your homestudy, you can adopt` in the US or overseas. The Adoption Center will place infants born in the United States through our Domestic (Agency Placement) and "Parent Initiated" Adoption programs. Many young women seek us out or are referred to us for possible adoptive placement. In "Parent Initiated" Adoption the adoptive couple locates a potential birthmother and infant through advertising and networking. We have placement programs for children from Korea, China, and Taiwan. The Adoption Center can prepare homestudies for adoption in various other countries. We are also highly experienced in placing children with special needs such as physical conditions amenable to treatment. Is there a waiting list for U.S. adoption?
No. Selections are not made from a chronological waiting list. Homestudies begin within two weeks of application and become active as soon as they are completed. The birthmother, not the Adoption Center, selects the couple to adopt her baby by reviewing the profile of the couple. There are usually about 15-20 couples in the adoption "pool" at any one time. Most couples seeking U.S. placements have a placement within two years, and often much sooner. We assist you in preparing an appropriate profile to tell the birthmother about yourselves. Is there a long wait for International Adoptions?
The waiting time for an international adoption varies by program and is subject to change. Please visit the web pages for our international programs for specific information on waiting times. How old are the children that are adopted through FCA?
In doing a "Parent Initiated" Adoption, you will be locating a birthmother and adopting a newborn. If a birthmother chooses you through our Domestic program, the child will be a newborn. The Adoption Center does not maintain long-term foster homes for children and, therefore, in the United States we generally are placing young infants. The majority of our United States children are Caucasian and about 10% are bi-racial. Our International programs have children of both sexes. Infant boys and girls adopted through the Korea program are typically 10-12 months of age at the time of placement. Infant boys and girls, toddlers, special needs and sibling groups are available from Taiwan. China places mostly girls, generally from 6 to 12 months, although older children are available, as well as special needs children. What is FCA’s experience in adoption?
The Adoption Center is one of the largest agencies in Connecticut. We have been doing International and U.S. adoptions for many years. Members of our staff were instrumental in framing the Connecticut Identified Adoption Laws and have served on the Executive Board of the Connecticut Council on Adoption. The Adoption Center has many contacts throughout the United States to assist us in interstate adoptions. We have placed nearly 2,000 children from Korea since the program began in 1982. We have developed specialized programs for adoption in China and Taiwan with our own translators and bi-lingual coordinators who are in frequent contact with the foreign officials. How much does adoption cost?
The homestudy cost is $1,950. All other costs vary according not only to the Adoption Center program you choose, but also the auxiliary costs. When budgeting for adoption, it's important to be aware of related expenses, such as immigration documents, travel, medical evaluations, translations, long distance calls, possible attorney fees, and perhaps living expenses while at your out-of-state or foreign destination. The placement fee is paid to the U.S. adoption agency that places the child with you. This may be FCA or an out-of-state agency, but never both. If you reside outside Connecticut or New York your homestudy fee will be set by your local Adoption Agency. Are there age limits?
Most foreign countries have age restrictions. FCA does not have any age limit for adopting in the United States. Couples and single parents of reasonable child bearing age are able to apply. Applicants should keep in mind that the birthparents' preferences may vary. What are "Closed" and "Open" Adoptions?
A "closed" adoption is one that has no direct contact or exchange of information between the birthparents and the adoptive family. An "open" adoption is one where the names and identifying information of birthparents and adoptive families are disclosed to the other and there is direct contact between the two parties that generally continues after the birth and placement. The terms of the relationship are determined by the participants. Seldom is an adoption either fully "open" or fully "closed"; most fall somewhere between the two. Some involve limited contact, either in person or by phone, exchange of photographs following placement, etc. There is no "right" adoption plan that meets the needs of all birthparents and adoptive families. The Adoption Center’s goal is to create the plan that works best for all parties involved in each adoption. We encourage both birthparents and adoptive parents to be active participants in the process. Does FCA have a policy requiring "Open" or "Closed" adoption?
Not necessarily. The couple and the birthmother decide mutually on the amount of contact they want to have. Some relationships are quite open, and others have little or not contact. Generally we encourage and support one meeting, usually in our office, but it is not mandatory. The Adoption Center can coordinate the adoption planning with a local agency in the birth parents' state if they do not reside in Connecticut or New York. I do not reside in New York or Connecticut. How do FCA and my local agency work together to obtain a child for me?
A local adoption agency will prepare your homestudy according to the laws of your state. Your FCA social worker will be in frequent contact with you regarding other documents that are required for the FCA program you choose to adopt from. FCA will secure a referral for you and forward it to you and your agency. What is the first step?
The first step is to begin a homestudy. All prospective adoptive parents must have an approved homestudy. A homestudy is a supportive and educational process composed of individual and group sessions with the social worker who is helping you with your adoption. Most homestudies are completed in six to eightweeks and consist of at least 1 appointment at the agency and one in your home. If you reside outside Connecticut or New York, the homestudy must be completed by The Adoption Agency licensed in the state in which you have residence. When I accept a child’s referral, how do we proceed?
The Adoption Agency will notify the adoption authority of the country that you accept the child’s referral and we will then help you to coordinate the travel plans. I understand most countries want post-adoption updates on the child for at least a year. I reside outside of Connecticut/New York. How do I obtain them?
If you reside out of Connecticut/New York, your homestudy agency will arrange to visit you and will send the child's post adoption information to FCA. We will forward it to the country you adopted from. What is FCA's philosophy of adoption?
Family & Children's Agency believes in a caring approach that is concerned with the needs of all parties involved. Our social workers work in a team effort to balance and protect the rights of all the parties involved. We view adoption as a lifelong process that deserves the adoption agency's and the parent's commitment to the common goal of doing what is best for everyone. Click here for Birth Mother FAQs. | 
