Small World’s domestic adoption program consists primarily of infant adoption and exists to serve all members of the adoption triad (child, biological parents and adoptive parents).
For biological parents facing an unplanned pregnancy, our services provide the peace of mind that comes from making a well informed and loving plan for their child and for their own futures.
For adoptive parents, our services carry them through the process of getting approved and prepared for adoption and parenting and create an opportunity for successful family life.
For the child, our program makes them part of a forever family that is ready and eager to provide for all their needs and rear them in the love and training of our Lord. With an excellent track record and licenses in good standing, Small World’s compassionate staff is equipped to meet the needs of all parties involved in a domestic adoption.
*Small World is currently only accepting families that live in either Tennessee or Missouri and are open to “Open” adoptions.
Requirements
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Age
Each applicant must be at least 25 years old and generally not more than 55 years older than the child.
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Finances
Small World requires sufficient income and resources on the part of every applicant to support the addition of a child.
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Children
Small World does not limit the number of children per family, but it is subject to a case by case review.
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Marriage
Married heterosexual couples who have been married for at least 2 years and single heterosexual females only may apply to adopt from Small World’s Domestic Program.
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Faith
In accordance with Small World’s mission statement, our Domestic Program is open to Christian families only.
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Post Placement/Post Adoption
Small World requires typically 2 post placement/post adoption reports be completed in a 6 month period before the adoption can be finalized. This is on a case by case basis.
Fees
Fees for domestic adoption paid to Small World:
| Application | $300 | |
| Home Study (TN or MO) | $2,000 | |
| Home Study Review | $225 | |
| Home Study Update (if needed and is not included in the total cost below) | $1,200 | |
| Program Fee | $3,000 | |
| Profile & Birthmother Letter | $500 | |
| Billing Account at Match | $5,000 | |
| Social Services to birthmother | $145 per hour | |
| Counseling/Therapy | $90 per session | |
| Surrender of Parental Rights | $2,500 – $4,000 (Due at placement, when applicable) | |
| Placement Fee | $18,000 | |
| ICPC Services (out of state families) | $1,500 (Due at placement, when applicable) | |
| Post Placement/Post Adoption Reports | $450 (per report/per child) |
Total Adoption Cost:
| Total Adoption Cost | $33,925 – $35,425 |
Fee and Payment Breakdown
| Application Fee | Payment must accompany submission of application. |
| Home Study Fee | Payment must be submitted at the initiation of home study services. The home study packet will not be sent, and work will not begin until the home study fee is paid. Payments for updates are due at the time services are requested. If additional copies are required or requested, beyond the 2 provided in the home study fee, and additional fee of $50 per copy, will be applied, plus shipping cost. |
| Home Study Review Fee | All home studies are reviewed by our professional reviewers. If your home study is prepared by an agency other than Small World, a home study review fee of $225 is due at the time Small World enters into an exempt provider contract agreement with your home study agency. |
| Home Study Update Fee | An Update is a re-approval of a family which extends the life of an approval by an additional year. Updates require a new medical evaluation, new criminal history evaluations, in many cases a new home visit and a new approval from the social worker. Typical events that require an Update include a change of residence or 1-year expiration since the last approval. An original home study can only be updated annually for 2 years. A full, new home study is required for year 3. |
| Program Fee | Clients understand and agree that Agency expends a large percent of its resources seeking to attract and identify expectant mothers interested in placing their children for adoption. Clients agree that the cost of such advertising and effort should rightfully be borne by those on whose behalf Agency is providing services with such birthmothers. The program fee must be paid upon completion of approved home study. |
| Profile and Expectant Mother Letter | Agency seeks and counsels birthmothers actively continuously. Agency is in touch with changing trends and desires of birthmothers as they pertain to the type of adoptive couples, they are seeking to adopt their child. Therefore, the representative of Agency will advise and assist clients in the preparation of their profile and birthmother letter to be seen by the birthmother. The fees associated with the maintenance and presentation of the profile and birthmother letter must be paid at the time of the submission of the profile and birthmother letter to Small World. |
| Billing Account | Client will establish a billing account with Agency in the amount of $5,000.00 at the time of accepting a match with a birthmother. Client authorizes Agency to draw from the billing account for billable services and expenses, including Birth Mother’s Expenses. Client will be billed for services and expenses and agrees to pay according to Agency Invoice and keep the account at a minimum of $5,000.00 at all times. The balance of the billing account after all bills have been paid and invoices satisfied will be refunded to Client at the time of final decree of adoption. |
| Social Services | Clients authorize Agency to provide all services and advance all expenses necessary to assist clients in completion of their adoption. Clients further understand that they will be billed for said services at the rate of $145 per hour, plus expenses as enumerated in this contract. Clients agree to pay for such services and expenses upon receipt of an Agency Invoice. |
| Birth Mother’s Expenses | The clients understand and agree that they may be responsible for those reasonable costs, fees and expenses, which are related to the pregnancy, birth and post birth care of the birth mother and the child, which may include medical costs. It is understood that such costs related to a birth mother and child will be negotiated by the birth mother and Agency. Birth mother expenses are in addition to the Small World fees and are non-refundable and non-transferable. |
| Placement Fee | Clients shall pay to Agency at the time of the placement of a child in their home under an Agency Placement Agreement on the condition that said child was the product of a birth mother and clients relationship made possible or managed by Agency. The placement fee is the primary operating funds for the agency. It is further understood if such birth mother and clients came to Agency with an existing relationship seeking Agency to provide services other than matching no Placement Fee is owed by clients. |
| Post Placement Visits | TN and MO both require post placement visits. These visits are conducted quarterly, until the adoption is final, and 2 reports in a 6 month period are typically needed. |