My husband and I became Transitional Care Parents for a local non-profit adoption center here in Fort Worth, Texas on Jan. 1, 2005. Transitional Care Parents are certified the same as foster care parents for the state of Texas. We hold the same license as those of foster care parents for the state.

We, and other foster care parents, are thoroughly investigated by the state. Criminal background checks, fingerprinting, health checks, immunizations, etc. are required by the state in order to obtain state licensing.

The myth that any person can be a foster parent if they desire, is wrong. The truth is, any person requesting a license as a foster care parent must undergo thorough background checks, medical evaluations, personal biographies, home studies, mental health checks, first aid and CPR classes, childhood care classes, abuse and child neglect classes, etc. All foster care parents in the state of Texas have gone through extensive testing, classes and certification in order to hold a foster care license.

The state of Texas always has the best interest of the child at heart when they license foster care parents/transitional care parents. Those licensed as foster care parents have gone through extensive testing, background checks, and teaching. No child is placed in a home unless it is completely safe and the parents are well educated in the various aspects of the foster care system and the emotional and possible physical needs that these children come with.

Any child placed in the foster care system comes with emotional issues that need to be addressed. The best thing about foster care is that this is a safe place for these children to residue so that medical and psychological professionals address issues. These are homes that allow these children to receive loving care and protection, as their parents are educated, rehabilitated or the parent’s rights are terminated.

Once the parent’s rights are terminated, these children are ready for adoption. Some couples are interested in adopting only newborns. There are vast amounts of available children ready for adoption through the state’s foster care system. These children desperately need nurturing, loving, accepting families. These children are in need of love and acceptance, especially since life has dealt them a tough hand.

I have seen in the past that these children make wonderful additions to families because they come with the understanding that families are important and they take nothing for granted. They appreciate all the love that they receive from their adopted families and they make wonderful additions to these families. They come with a wonderful sense of adventure and an overwhelming need to please.

They have this amazing ability to open the family’s eyes to the less fortunate in our societies. They have the ability to show families how blessed they are and how there are so many children out there that believe there is no hope. The families that adopt these children are blessed beyond measure and most families go on to adopt additional children. The strongest advocates for foster care and adoption are those that have adopted through the state’s foster care system. They are all to aware of its importance and its saving grace for many of the children that have been abused, neglected, and deserted by dysfunctional families.

Some couples have this idea of the perfect newborn to add to their family. Many children are available for adoption through the state’s foster care system. These children may not be newborn they are just as precious and full of joy and potential. They come with an overwhelming need to please and to bring joy to the family that adopts them. To overlook these children is to miss the blessings that each one of them can bring to your family. Every child is valuable and unique.

In a parent-initiated adoption, it is important to work with your attorney if you experience problems. One of the biggest and most devastating problems is if the adoption falls through. Unfortunately, if the birth mother changes her mind you have no recourse. This is when an experienced attorney can assist you in approaching the situation carefully and make sure that every aspect of the adoption is in line before you commit emotionally and financially to the adoption.

One of the most important ways to make sure you are prepared is to go to counseling. A good counselor can help you see the whole picture and make sure that this adoption is the best choice for you and your family. A good counselor can also be beneficial to a birth mother who is facing the difficult process and help her to deal with her choice not to parent the child. This can also help her to deal with the ups and downs that will surely come as she progresses through her pregnancy.

There are some warning signs that you and your attorney should look for in the parent-initiated adoption.

One set of signs to look for is in the facilitator that will handle your particular adoption.

1. The issues in the adoption contract do not meet with what the facilitator has told you.
2. The facilitator does not or is hesitant to provide references. Or if he or she states that it is a matter of privacy and they are not allowed to divulge this information to you. This is a big warning sign.
3. The facilitator will not give you the address and phone number to the business where they are employed.
4. The facilitator becomes perturbed or seems insulted when you ask questions about the adoption, which pertains to protecting you through the adoption process.
5. The facilitator asks for a large amount of money up front, in addition to the small application fee, and/or the large amount is non-refundable.
6. The facilitator is hard to reach or just does not return your phone calls.
7. The facilitator is vague as to time lines for certain paperwork to be completed pertaining to the adoption.

There are some warning signs to look for from the birth mother also.

1. The birth mother refuses or does not see the importance in meeting with a counselor.
2. The dates that the birth mother gives you just do not add up.
3. Her story about the pregnancy, the birth father, her home conditions, etc. change and do not seem accurate or trustworthy.
4. She says that she has been to see the doctor but cannot show proof of the visit.
5. The birthmother cannot give you documented proof of the pregnancy.
6. If she states she is having twins but cannot show you a sonogram picture from the doctor’s office as proof.
7. The birthmother is hesitant or will not give you her home address or phone number. Or, if the birth mother will only give you her cell phone number.
8. The birth mother requests money up front for living expenses and such.
9. The birth mother insists that she wants to bring you the baby, instead of you being at the hospital at the time of birth. She does not want you to see the baby in the hospital setting.
10. The birth mother is hesitant or will not talk or meet in person, your attorney, the facilitator or other adoption professional that you may be using.
11. The birth mother seems way too enthusiastic and ready to hand over her baby without really getting to know you.
12. The birth mother refuses to be seen or met in person.

The adoption process is a very emotional process and it is always wise to take a step back from time to time to evaluate the situation and make sure that everything is in order. You and your family do not need the added stress of an adoption plan falling through.  An experienced adoption attorney can assist you and help make sure that this does not happen to you and your family.