1.Contact Us: The first step is to call our recruitment specialist at 352.244.1684.
2. Inquiry Process: PSF’s recruitment specialist will get to know you and your family and answer any questions. If your family’s goals fit the needs of the current waiting children, you will be offered a seat in the next available PRIDE class in your area.
3. Attend Orientation: Orientation is held the week before PRIDE classes start. You will meet your adoptive family liaison and receive an overview of the adoption process, time frames involved and an introduction to the child welfare system.
4. Attend PRIDE Training: PRIDE is a 30-hour training course required for all prospective parents.
5. Home Study: While attending PRIDE, you will work on the adoption application packet and your adoptive family liaison will conduct the home study, which includes visiting your home, performing background checks, collecting references and getting to know your family in-depth.
6. Approval: When all requirements have been met, your home study will be approved and you will review and sign the final copy. Your family will be considered for local matches with our children every 60 days.
7. After Approval: In addition to being considered for local children, you may also explore available children online and attend recruitment activities.
8. Match: Once you are considered a potential match for a child, a match staffing will be held to assess your family’s fit for the child in relation to other home studies being considered. If you are being considered for a child outside of PSF, your adoptive family liaison should be informed so that PSF can participate and support the future transition of the child into your home.
9. Full Disclosure: Once selected as a match for a child, the agency will provide you with all available information and history for the child.
10. Transition: Before a child is placed with you, the child will be introduced to your family through scheduled visits, and a transition plan will be created.
11. Post Placement Supervision: After a child is placed, a minimum of a 90–day post placement period is required where a worker makes monthly visits to assess the child’s and family’s adjustments and readiness to proceed to finalization. Once the period has been met and your family deemed prepared to finalize, you will be notified of the agency’s consent to the adoption. During this time, you will select an attorney to assist with your finalization.
12. Finalization: A hearing to finalize your adoption will be set before a judge in the area the child is from. At this hearing, the adoption will be finalized and the child will legally become part of your family.
13. Post-Adoptive Support: PSF’s post-adoption liaison is available to offer a full continuum of post-adoption services to continue support your family after your adoption.
