Our Services The Adoption ProcessAdoption Options
Some of Our Adoptive Families Stories From Our Birth Mothers

Information for Adoptive Parents
Family Options provides adoption placement services for New Jersey families as well as counseling to those coping with infertility and/or the maze of adoption options. Founded and directed by Diane Propert, M.A., CSW, LPC, Family Options focuses on the family and on developing realistic strategies related to adoption and infertility.

We hold regular information sessions for adoptive parents, which we invite you to attend. Please call us at 732-936-0770 for more information about the next information session or to register

Counseling Services

Infertility Counseling
• Pregnancy Loss
• Medical options
    » IVF
    » Donor
    » ART (Assisted Reproductive Technologies)
• Stress reduction
• Closure and moving on

Adoption Counseling
• Adoption readiness
• Pre-placement issues
• Post-placement adjustment
• Children’s issues

Adoption Services

Placements
• Direct Infant (through portfolio)
• Identified (through ads and networking)

Advertising Guidance
• Portfolio development
• Newspaper ad critique
• Networking strategies
• Agency 800# answering service

Home Studies and Supervisions
• Agency adoptions
• Identified adoptions
• International adoptions
• Private/Independent adoptions
• Interstate adoptions

Educational Seminars
• Infant care classes
• Pre-adoptive parenting classes
• Post-adoption workshops

The Adoption Process

This is just an overview of the actual adoption process. Family Options guides you through each step.

1. Make an appointment for a group information meeting or for an individual adoption consultation. Our group sessions are free, however we do charge a fee for individual consultations.

2. Fill out the application you’ll receive from us and mail to the agency.

3. After your application is processed, you will be sent the Home Study Questionnaire. Complete the questionnaire and return it to Family Options along with all requested documentation. Upon receipt of your completed questionnaire, your Family Options caseworker will contact you to arrange home study interviews. The home study consists of several meetings with your caseworker. The caseworker will interview both of you (and anyone else living in your home) together and individually. He/she will then submit a written home study to the director.

4. You will be notified by Family Options once your home study has been approved by the director. If you’re proceeding with a placement through Family Options, we will arrange a portfolio consultation appointment.

5. You’ll be given guidelines for developing a portfolio and advice on networking and advertising.

6. If you are pursuing an international placement or independent placement, we will send a copy of your home study to the designated agency or attorney.

7. Family Options periodically holds pre-adoption seminars. These sessions address the unique needs and issues of the adoptive family that are not met in traditional pre-natal classes. We also provide practical instruction on infant care and the opportunity to meeting other waiting adoptive parents.

8. After placement, supervision of the adoptive family is required by the state for at least six months. This consists of bi-monthly meetings with your caseworker. During this supervisory period, you should contact an attorney to arrange adoption finalization.

9. If you have questions or concerns at any time during the adoption process, Family Options is here to help.

Adoption Options

There are several different types of adoption procedures that are available to you. The descriptions below should help you understand the different options for adoption.

Direct Infant Placement
This process involves placement by the agency after a birth family makes a “direct” selection of an adopting family via portfolio. Termination of birthparents’ rights cannot occur prior to 72 hours after birth.

Identified Adoption
This process involves assistance in placement by the agency after the adoptive family has identified a birth family that chooses to place a child for adoption or a birth family identifies an adoptive family. The agency provides services to the expectant birth or legal parents and prospective adoptive parent(s). Termination of birthparents’ rights cannot occur prior to 72 hours after birth.

Enhanced Identified Adoption
This process is the same as Identified Adoption with the addition of agency assistance in composing newspaper advertisements, networking advice and assistance in screening birth family responses. The adoptive family solicits birth families through ads, network or a specific referral from a professional (e.g., physician, attorney, social worker, etc.) that refers the birth family directly to the agency.

The agency then identifies the birthparent as having responded to a particular ad or referral and provides immediate assistance in obtaining information about the birth family, provides information to the birth family about the adoptive family and makes arrangements to proceed with a placement. The agency will provide an 800-telephone number for use by birth families when contacting the agency in these situations. The agency 800-telephone number can be used in advertising and networking.

Independent Adoption
In this process the child is received in the adoptive home from a source other than a certified adoption agency. In such an adoption the court asks an agency, such as ours, to conduct an Adoption Complaint Investigation to evaluate/investigate the circumstances of the placement and to assess the adoptive home. You (or your attorney) can specifically request Family Options to perform this service.

International Adoption
This process involves placement by another agency or source specializing in international adoptions. In such an adoption, Family Options provides home study and supervision services.

Interstate Adoption
This process involves placement by another agency or source in a state other than New Jersey. In such an adoption, Family Options provides home study, supervision and other services as required in order to be in compliance with New Jersey Interstate Compact regulation. Birthmother requesting placement with a New Jersey family have the option of giving birth in New Jersey or arranging to travel to New Jersey with the child after birth for the purpose of placement.