Prospective Parents

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Small World is currently accepting a limited number of applicants in the domestic program. We are currently only accepting applicants that live in Tennessee and Missouri and those that are open to semi open/open adoption. 

Overview

Small World’s domestic adoption program consists primarily of infant adoptions and exists to serve members of the adoption triad (child, biological parents, and adoptive parents).

Small World conducts a thorough home study investigation and training to assess the prospective adoptive family’s readiness to adopt a child. Once the home study is complete, couples will be asked to create a profile that will be added to the Small World profile book. This profile book is shared with birth mothers that are in Small World’s program. The child will be placed with their adoptive family after the birth mother’s revocation period has expired.

Expectant mothers are counseled and assisted by our professional staff. These services are paid by the adoptive couple that is matched with the expectant mother. Prospective adoptive parents will be asked to establish a billing account with Small World at the time they are matched with an expectant mother. When allowed by law, an expectant mother’s reasonable living expenses are covered during the third trimester and one month following the birth of the child. The placement fee will be charged the day the child is placed in the care of the adoptive family.

For any further questions concerning our Domestic program please contact Christian Graham at christian@smallworldadoption.com.


Requirements

Age

The age requirement for our Domestic program is that each applicant must be at least 25 years old.


Finances

Small World requires an income of $10,000 per family member including your prospective adopted child.


Children

Our Domestic program does not place any restrictions on how many children are in the home, but it is subject to your Home Study investigation.


Marital Status

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.


Faith

In accordance with Small World’s mission statement, our Domestic program is open to Christian families only.


Post Placement Visits

TN and MO both require post placement visits.  These visits are conducted quarterly, until the adoption is final, and 2 reports are typically needed.

For further information, please contact Christian Graham, Domestic Program Director at christian@smallworldadoption.com

More information on the statistics of Small World’s program is available upon request, including the number of adoption placements per year, number of applicants per year, and number of children eligible for adoption. Please contact the Program Director via the info form to the right of this page if you wish to receive to discuss this information.


Fees

Fees for Domestic adoption paid to Small World:

Application $300
Home study (TN & MO) $2,000
Home study Review Fee (all other locations) $225
Program Fee $3,000
Profile and Birth Mother Letter $500
Billing Account at Match $5,000
Social Services to Birth Mother $145 per hour
Counseling/Therapy $90 per session 1/2 hour (Due before services rendered)
Surrender of Parental Rights $2,500 – $4,000 (Due at placement when applicable)
Placement Fee $18,000
Post Placement Visits (families in TN & MO) $450 (per report/per child)
ICPC Services (out of state families) $1,500 (Due at placement when applicable)
Other  $145 per hour

Total Adoption Cost:

Total Adoption Cost $33,925 – $35,425

Payment Schedule

Application Fee Payment must accompany submission of application.
Homestudy The home study is an investigation of the Client and must be conducted by Agency or an authorized entity agreed upon by Agency. In Tennessee & Missouri or international countries, Agency will provide all home study services for Clients, and the fee for such services is paid before the home study begins. The findings of the home study must be positive and the narrative of its findings must be presented to Agency as an integral part of the documents necessary before Agency approval of Clients can occur. Only current valid home studies prepared by Agency or an entity approved by Agency in states where Agency is not licensed will be accepted. The home study is mandated by law and must meet certain minimum standards. It is understood and agreed that Client will make full disclosure of all information and or documentation requested by Agency in regard to but not limited to their physical and psychological health, financial status, marital status, criminal background, social standing, family relationships, and all areas deemed pertinent by Agency to make a proper evaluation of clients’ fitness as adoptive parents including any plans of adoption, foster care, or pregnancy contemplated by Clients.
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 $200 is due at the time Small World enters into a contractual agreement with your home study provider.
Program Fee Clients understand and agree that Agency expends a large percent of its resources seeking to attract and identify Birth 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 Birth Mothers. The program fee must be paid upon completion of approved home study.
Profile and Birth Mother Letter Agency seeks and counsels Birth Mothers actively and continuously. Agency is in touch with changing trends and desires of Birth Mothers 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 birth mother letter to be seen by the birth mother. The fees associated with the maintenance and presentation of the profile and Birth Mother letter must be paid at the time of the submission of the profile and Birth Mother 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 birth mother. 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. Clients understand that Agency is fee based and cannot exist apart from selling services, therefore Clients agree that when client accepts a match with an acceptable Birth Mother who represents that she intends her child to be placed for adoption with Clients, either by Agency or any other method, all services to said Birth Mother (from the beginning of her request for services) will be performed or arranged exclusively by Agency and will be paid for by Clients (without exception).
Birth Mother’s Expenses The Clients understand and agree that they may be responsible for those reasonable costs, fees and expenses, which can range from $0 – $8,000 and 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. Clients will agree to a budget for such expenses (including a reimbursement to the agency for services and expenses which may have already occurred during the time the agency has worked with the Birth mother) by the signing of a Birth Mother Assistance Agreement (MATCH AGREEMENT) which will obligate them within the  framework of prevailing adoption laws and the budget presented by the Birth Mother until said agreement is terminated by either party or the child is placed in their home under an adoption placement agreement. Clients maintain full control of their decision to agree or disagree with the Birth Mother’s expense budget and will not be obligated to accept any budget for Birth Mother expenses with which they do not fully agree. The Birth Mother Assistance (MATCH AGREEMENT) may be terminated by Clients at any point without cause and Clients will not be held liable for any further payments under it. However, all costs associated with the case up to the point of cancellation must be paid by client and all fees and expenses paid by Client prior to termination of the agreement are non-refundable. Birth Mother expenses are in addition to the Small World fees and are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Incidentals-the following are varied costs Clients may incur Expenses including, but not limited to travel/lodging expenses for field services will be charged separately and billed periodically. The charges billed for travel expenses in regard to services provided in the USA are published per diem rates on the USA Department of State website at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877.
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 Client’s 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. No timetables of receiving a placement of a child are promised or implied. The Agency can neither control nor insure any particular result. This contractual agreement does not become effective until signed by all parties, and supersedes all other agreements effective before the date of this contract.
Post Placement Visits Tennessee and Missouri both require post placement visits. These visits are conducted quarterly, until the adoption is final, and 2 reports are typically needed.

NOTE: ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE ONCE INVOICED AND PAID.

**Not all adoptive couples will qualify for the Adoption Tax Credit. Please consult your accountant or the IRS for a complete list of requirements.