Traditional Agency Adoption

Within the Traditional Program, the agency is the one who identifies the expectant parent or child by relying on its own outreach. There are two forms of Traditional Agency Adoption through Adoption STAR:

• Direct Placement: This is when Birth parent(s) surrender their parental rights directly to Adoption STAR
• Indirect Placement: It is not uncommon that Adoption STAR will receive referrals of infants or children from agencies or attorneys it has collaborative relationships with. In these cases the expectant parent(s) will surrender their parental rights with another agency or attorney. Adoption STAR clients who successfully adopt through an indirect placement, are still responsible for the placement fee which will be held in escrow pending the successful placement of the child.

The term “expectant parent” is the preferred term for pregnant women over birth parent. One becomes a birth parent when their parental rights have been terminated. At Adoption STAR, if you are pregnant, then you are considered an expectant parent. Pregnancy in itself is a form of parenting. Adoption STAR encourages expectant parents to cherish their pregnancies and birth experiences and to be as involved as they wish in the adoption process.

The agency works directly with expectant parents and receives referrals of expectant parents at all stages of pregnancy. Adoption STAR offers expectant parent clients 24/7 availability, free counseling, support and referral services that include help in obtaining housing, transportation, job assistance, continuing education, and of course, appropriate medical care throughout their pregnancy.

When expectant parents are ready to make an adoption plan many adoption options are shared with them. Identifying an adoptive family and matching with an adoptive family is a very important, special and often emotional step.

Often expectant parents choose to be involved in the selection process. Profiles of prospective adoptive parents are shown to expectant parents. These profiles are selected based on preferences and expectations of the expectant parents. Some expectant parents prefer to select adoptive parents who have set up an online profile.

Some of our expectant parents meet the prospective adopters prior to placement, others meet after birth and still others prefer no personal contact. The agency educates all parties on the benefits of developing a relationship that will include ongoing communication after placement, with letters and photographs sent through the agency. Sometimes birth parents and adoptive families are open to the possibility of ongoing visits after placement, which is mutually agreed upon by all parties.

Domestic Infant Adoption:

When pursuing the adoption of an infant, Adoption STAR recommends registering for both the Traditional Program and the Assisted Private Adoption Program. Adoption STAR primarily places Caucasian infants, Black and Biracial infants.

Adoption STAR believes that infants in need of adoption be placed immediately after birth into permanent adoptive homes, rather than having them enter the foster care system.

Adoption STAR will consider couples and singles who reside in New York State, Florida and Ohio, though residents throughout the United States may be considered for the adoption of infants.

The Adoption STAR philosophy is to work in the best interest of children and to find forever families for children, not children for families.

Adoption STAR is always seeking applicants for the adoption of children of all races. If the prospective adoptive applicant indicates they are open to adopting a child outside of their own race and culture, Adoption STAR will consider the applicant for all children, including the adoption of Black infants, not just for bi-racial children or children of mixed race.

Adoption STAR is also always seeking applicants open to adopting children born at risk for special needs or with special needs. Special needs is a broad term and can mean a child of any race born with physical, emotional and / or cognitive challenges. Children with special needs may have a disability such as Down Syndrome, or perhaps be born affected by prenatal drug and alcohol abuse, or have other cognitive, physical and/or medical challenges identified at birth. Children with special needs may be often eligible for a monthly adoption subsidy and Medicaid. Children at-risk for developing special needs may be children born to women who used or abused drugs and/or alcohol during pregnancy, or children who were born to birth parents who have a history of mental illness, or children who were born prematurely, etc. These children may or may not be eligible for adoption subsidy.

Families interested in pursuing a special needs adoption, must feel comfortable with their ability to offer life-long advocacy, special education and excellent medical care for their child. Placement fees will be waived or dramatically reduced for the adoption of children born with special needs and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. We will not have fees be a barrier to the adoption of children with special needs.