At AGAPE, we believe that every child deserves a family. Forever. And, our goal is to provide that to every child, no matter what age, race, gender or medical condition they may have. AGAPE has been instrumental in placing 235 children into Christian homes where they are loved, nurtured and taught about unconditional love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Special Needs Children

Other Adoption-Related Services

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q:  What training is required?

The training incorporates all of the information regarding transracial/transcultural adoption issues. For those who are interested in children in foster care, training is also required.

Q:  What is involved in a home study?

Call and speak with a social worker who will help you assess how best to proceed.

Q:  How are we selected for a child?

The home study process assists you in identifying the type of child (age, race, siblings and range of issues) you are able to parent. We help you develop a family portfolio, which may be presented to birth parents whose child appears to be an appropriate match to your home.

Q:  What are the costs?

Fees for the placement of any child who is in the guardianship of AGAPE are established by the Board of Directors. AGAPE fees are sliding scale, based on income. Consult an AGAPE case worker for the most current fees. You can expect to pay a fee for the home study, placement services and an attorney. An Adoption Tax Credit is available to offset those qualifying adoption expenses.

Q:  Is financial help available?

Children who meet the federal guidelines for special needs may qualify for a federal and state funded Adoption Assistance Program. The case worker will let you know if the child you are interested in qualifies for Adoption Assistance and will explain the application process.

Q:  What help is available after we adopt?

AGAPE staff support and guide you until the adoption is finalized legally. After that, AGAPE will remain a resource for you to call on whenever you or the child has a question or a need. Based on the individual circumstances of your placement, the agency may also have a continuing role to play in maintaining contact, or giving/receiving information, with the birth parent(s).

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Special Needs Children:

Some of these children are born with special needs that require a substantial recruitment effort to identify the most appropriate home. With many adoption agencies untrained or unwilling to help in these cases, AGAPE is sometimes a child's only chance to be placed into a caring and permanent home. With your support, AGAPE is able and qualified to go the second mile and meet the needs of those very special members of God's beautiful creation.

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Other Adoption-Related Services:

Alabama State Law requires that anyone who adopts a child have an approved adoptive home study.

When birth mothers and adoptive parents work together in privately arranged adoptions, the adoptive home study must be presented to the court so that the adoptive couple can be named as guardian of the child when the birth parents surrender parental rights.

Adoptive couples may work with an agency in another state or country to facilitate an adoptive placement. Alabama law requires that an adoptive home study be completed and be approved by the Interstate Compact for Placement of Children. The ICPC is federally mandated to approve all placements of children across state lines. In these situations, adoptive couples may contract with AGAPE to provide the home study service and to provide the six months of post-placement supervision.

Post placement supervision is required by law for all adoptions. It involves regular homes visits to assist the adoptive couple with adjustment and to document the child's growth and development. Reports are provided to the adoption court as well as to any other agencies that may be involved, including Interstate Compact For Placement of Children in the state where the child was born and the state where the adoptive couple resides.

AGAPE is authorized through its Child Placing License to provide adoptive home studies and post-placement supervision. Our case workers are trained to facilitate Interstate Compact approval. Fees are based on the services provided.

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