Home   International Adoptions   Domestic Adoptions Birth Parent Services   About Our Services   Counseling Services   Giving Opportunities    Local Events    Related Links    Professional    Association       HSC Image Gallery   Heaven Sent Children, Inc. 307 North Walnut Street Murfreesboro, TN 37130 Phone: 615. 898.0803 Fax: 615.898.1990 Email us at: angels@heavensentchildren.com		DOMESTIC ADOPTIONS  Heaven Sent Children has worked with many families adopting children throughout Tennessee and the United States.   We place children directly with adoptive families through our domestic program. We assist with Interstate adoptions networking with agencies in other states (see Professional Associations). We also do agency-assisted and identified adoptions for  families who have identified birth parents. Heaven Sent Children provides services for the birth parents as well as the home study and placement preparation for the prospective adoptive parents. Heaven Sent Children also works with birth parents who request our services to complete an adoption plan. Heaven Sent Children can assist you with whatever services you might require to help you build your family through adoption.  Please call Emily or email her at: emily@heavensentchildren.com with your questions.   DOMESTIC ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES  Domestic Adoptions - children are typically newborn Caucasian, African-American, or a bi-racial ethnicity.  The birth mother may or may not have received prenatal care, and some birthmothers have continued to smoke or use drugs and alcohol throughout the pregnancy.  Adoptive families can be matched with a birthparent during the 2nd or 3rd trimester of the pregnancy or after the birth.  The match process involves the birthparent reviewing the family’s profile and possibly meeting the family face-to-face.  Being matched does not guarantee a placement as the birthparent may change their mind.  The adoptive family typically receives an official referral of the child following the birthmother’s surrender during the ten-day revocation period.  The adoptive family will receive medical and social history at time of referral, and information on whether or not it is a legal risk placement based upon the status of the birthfather.  Following birth and prior to placement with the adoptive family, infants are cared for in a cradle home.  The wait time can be 2-4 years or more dependent upon being matched with a birthparent.    Interstate Adoptions - once your home study is completed and approved, it can be submitted to a placing agency in another state.  Heaven Sent Children families have had successful placements with a number of out-of-sate placing agencies.  Children are typically newborn and infants of Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American, or other ethnicity.  Wait times for interstate adoptions can be 12 months or less.  Adoptions are generally closed or semi-open, with some open adoptions.  Each placing agency has its own criteria regarding age, marital status, and health history.    Agency-Assisted Adoptions - when an adoptive family has an identified birth parent, Heaven Sent Children can assist in all or some aspects of the adoption. This includes counseling with the birthparents, attending the birth, advocating for the birthparent at the hospital, taking the social and medical history, arranging the court surrenders, obtaining a waiver from alleged birthfathers, and assisting the adoptive family and birth family in making an adoption plan.  Public Agency Adoptions – are adoptions of children in state foster care across the United States.  Children are typically school age and up and are from all ethnic backgrounds.  Children may have identified special needs that the family should be prepared to meet.  With an approved home study and completion of PATH classes (for most states), family is eligible for placement.  There are generally few restrictions on family criteria.  Your Heaven Sent Children social worker can assist you in identifying available children to be considered for match.      ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS The prospective adoptive family should be of good moral character, have a stable, nurturing marriage ( where applicable), and a commitment to instill in their child a knowledge and pride in the child's native culture. Also required: Minimum of two(2) years marriage. Good physical and mental health with no physical condition disease, or handicap that would interfere with one's life span or ability to parent. At least one parent must be a United States citizen. Both parents must be over 21 years of age. Adequate finances should include: Stable employment history Sound money management including savings and life insurance on both parents. Sufficient income to raise a child to maturity. Medical insurance to cover the adopted child, savings to cover the cost of the adoption or definite budget plan to have it on hand when needed. At least one parent should take off work for an adequate amount of time at arrival of the child to enable a secure adjustment. When returning to work, a childcare plan must be provided that will be acceptable to the social worker. All fees quoted reflect current costs of adoption of a child. Due to fluctuating prices in all areas, this amount is subject to change at any time. You will be expected to pay current fees at the time of your referral. The home study must reflect a plan for guardianship of the child in event of the parent's death or permanent disability preventing continuation of parental responsibility. Supervision-Post Adoption reports are REQUIRED as an agency policy. Three reports in the first six months with ten photographs. All reports will be forwarded to the court to validate that the adoption was a good choice for this child. Heaven Sent Children is a private, 501c3 non-profit, licensed, child placing agency in the State of Tennessee.

   "Building Forever Families Through Adoption"