Arkansas Child Adoption Agencies, Laws, Types, plus Financial and Medical Assistance Programs
The link Birth Mothers And Pregnant Women will help an Arkansas pregnant woman or Arkansas birth mother with Arkansas adoption and general adoption and pregnancy information and help. And, please feel free to contact us or call 1(800)943-0400.
An Arkansas adopting family will find information and resources below on federal, Arkansas state and local financial, medical, nutritional and adoption programs.
Dr Vince Berger and Adoption Services' Inc
My name is Dr Vince Berger. My staff and I are available to answer your questions and to assist you with an international adoption or a domestic child adoption in Arkansas or any other state. Please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions you may have.
Domestic Child Adoption
Domestic adoption basically means that both you and the child you wish to adopt are residing within the USA. If you both reside in the same state it is called a domestic intrastate adoption and if you live in different states it is a domestic interstate adoption. The specifics of the adoption process will depend on the state or states involved and the age and level of cooperation of the birth mother and birth father.
International Child Adoption
International adoption involves adopting a child from a country other than the one where you reside. For U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries residing in the U.S., international adoption is subject to the laws of your state of residence, regulations of the US and foreign government, and the requirements of the Hague Convention. Historically, the most popular countries for international adoption have been China, Guatemala, Eastern European Countries and Russia.
Types of Child Adoption
When adopting a child you will be faced with several choices regarding the type of adoption you want to pursue. Of course there is the choice of domestic or international adoption as shown above, but there are also several additional choices. For instance you will need to choose whether to use a licensed child adoption agency or proceed with a private adoption or adopt through a facilitator or adopt from foster care. You will also need to decide whether to proceed with an open adoption or a closed adoption. It is very important that before you start the actual adoption process that you to learn and understand the consequences and possible outcomes of each of these types of adoption.
Selecting a Child Adoption Agency
We at Adoption Services, Inc hope that you will want to use our services for your adoption, but we understand that different people have different needs and with that in mind here are links to Arkansas adoption agencies and to adoption agencies across the USA.
Home Study
The Home Study is a detailed evaluation of you, your spouse if you are married, your home, and surrounding environment and is required in all domestic and international adoptions with the only exception being (in some states) adoption by a close relative. Regardless of what type of adoption you choose, or what agency you choose to assist you with the adoption process, we may be are available (depending on your state of residence) to assist you with the home study itself or with home study information.
Special Adoptions
Special types of adoption include adopting a child with special needs, as well as single parentadoption, adoption by relatives, or step parent and trans-racial/cultural adoptions.
Adoption Exchanges in Each of the 50 States
Adoption exchanges in Arkansas and other states provide you with the links and contact information to find children who are in the state foster care system and who are available for adoption.
Children's Health Insurance Program in Every State
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Arkansas and the other 49 states can help assure your child of health insurance coverage. Additionally, Access to Health Insurance for Adopted Children is guaranteed by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 which mandates that adopted children the same access to health insurance as birth children.
Child Nutrition Programs in Every State
Child Nutrition Programs in Arkansas and the other 49 states will help you understand many child nutrition issues and they provide low-cost and free food to children who qualify.
Child Welfare Offices in All 50 States
Child Welfare Offices in Arkansas as well as other states can help you understand adoption law, regulations, and procedures. State child welfare agencies go by a variety of names, such as the Department of Human Resources, Department of Public Welfare, or the Department of Child Protective Services.
Department of Education in Every State
Arkansas Department of Education will help you identify early intervention programs and nutritional programs available to children.
Department of Health in All 50 States
Arkansas Department of Health can also be a good source of both health and nutrition information that can help with raising a child.
State Adoption Contacts in All 50 States
State Adoption Contact in Arkansas can be a valuable source of information about adoption in general and more specifically about the state's child adoption program.
Adoption Rights and Laws
During the adoption process it is very important for you to understand the rights of all parties involved in the adoption process ( birth parents and adopting family), what is allowed and what is not, and what you can and can not do. For instance you need to know whether or not it is legal to advertise regarding adoption, whether or not you can assist the birth mother with medical costs, food, expenses, etc.& If you do not understand the laws you risk having the adoption disrupted. We highly recommend you contact us, an adoption agency licensed in your state or an adoption attorney for the specifics "before" you start the adoption process. Keep in mind that additional laws may apply in international adoption or interstate adoptions or adoption of a child of American Indian heritage. Click the following link to read the Arkansas state child adoption laws or the adoption laws of other states.
Financial Assistance Programs in All 50 States
There are many types of federal and Arkansas state government assistance programs that are available to assist parents of adopted children. These include the Federal Adoption Tax Credit, the Family and Medical Leave Act, benefits offered by some employers and state financial assistance programs in Arkansas.
Medical Assistance Programs in Every State
Medical Assistance Programs includes information on medical conditions plus information on where you may be able to get free or discounted medical, dental and prescription care for your child.
Support Groups for Adopting Families in All 50 States
Support Groups for Adopting Families in Arkansas provides you with a list of informational resources and support groups. You will find a wealth of information to help you with not only finding support groups, but also how to adopt and how to care for your child after you adopt.
Raising Your Child
Raising your child requires that you understand infant nutrition, developmental issues, emotional issues and how to explain adoption to your child, family and friends. Adoption also raises special issues with schools for which you may want the help of a therapist that specializes in adoption.
Programs to Help Pregnant Women and Birth Mothers
Programs to help pregnant women and birth mothers includes everything you have seen on this page, plus Arkansas programs for the care of pregnant women, newborns, and programs to help single mothers including WIC, food banks, food stamps and more.
Obtaining Birth Records
Obtaining Birth Records can be difficult and confusing. The information in this section of our website is designed to help you with this process.
Assistance for Children Adopted From Foster Care
Assistance programs for children adopted from Foster Care come in two forms. Recurring and non-recurring and there are certain eligibility requirements.
Adoption Consultant Resource
Why You Need an Adoption Consultant
There are many risks when you go to adopt a child including losing a child after you have already taken them home (referred to as a disruption), losing all of the money you have invested in the adoption if the birth mother changes her mind, or finding that there are previously unknown or undisclosed fees that may appear. Dr Berger has helped thousands of adopting families with domestic adoptions and international adoptions and he is available to assist you no matter what type of adoption you chose to pursue and regardless of whether you work with an adoption agency, facilitator or adoption attorney. He can help you save your time, effort and money in helping you to decide what routes to take and the best way to achieve your goal of adopting a child. He can help reduce your risks and potential pain and can help you avoid many of the problems and pitfalls found in the adoption process. You can read and download his free adoption manual or, for more information on how he can help you, please visit his Adoption Consultant link.
Government Benefits Programs (Listed On Our Site)
Click here to read about Government Benefit Programs in Arkansas or click here to select a stateto read about it's government benefit programs.
Government Benefits (Federal Governments Website)
The GovBenefits.gov website is a fantastic source of information, not just for your state, but for all the states. Click here to see the government benefits available in your state.