Because there is such a need for good homes for these children,
we’ve tried to make adopting a Wednesday’s Child
as easy as possible while building in the appropriate level
of safeguards. The steps are usually as follows:
Inquiry
Call 1-800-928-4303 to express your interest.
Orientation
An informational meeting to learn more about the children
and the process
Preparation Group Meeting
Designed to give you a better understanding of the needs of
the children available.
Profile
Just as you want to know about the child(ren) you will bring
into your home, they want to know about you. By simply completing
a few forms, you will help introduce yourself to them and
provide us the basic information we need to determine the
most appropriate match.
Family Consultations
A social worker will visit you at home, providing the opportunity
for you to get to know each other and ask questions about
the program.
Approval
Upon successful completion of the previous steps, you will
receive approval for adopting through the Wednesday’s
Child Program.
Selection
This will determine which child(ren) you are best suited to
parent.
Placement
When you have been matched with a child(ren), you will have
the opportunity to get to know each other through regular
scheduled visits.
FAMILY
PREPARATION
The Cabinet for Families & Children of Kentucky provides
family preparation in every county in the state. There is
no fee for these services; however, there may be minimal fees
to cover court and attorney costs during the adoption process.
The adoption process begins with family preparation, a series
of meetings between the prospective adoptive family and a
social worker, and provides an opportunity for the family
to learn more about adoption and to seriously consider their
expectations for adopting.
The family preparation process consists of group educational
meetings and family consultations. During this time, the following
information will be requested:
Health Satements
Your medical history, a recent physical (within one year)
is required. A medical condition that is under control (high
blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) usually would not prevent
a person from being approved to adopt; however, a serious
health problem that affects life expectancy may prevent approval.
Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Registry
A form is completed which the social worker sends off for
a state and/or local police check and protective service clearance.
We also will need to check your records from other states
where you have resided.
Income Statement
You do not have to be wealthy or own your own home to adopt.
Even if you receive some type of assistance, you are still
eligible to adopt as long as you have adequate resources to
provide for your family. Financial assistance in the form
of a subsidy is available when adopting many of the children
listed.
Personal References
You will be asked to provide the names, addresses, and phone
numbers of individuals who can attest to your experience with
children, the stability of your marriage and/or household,
and your motivation to adopt.
GLOSSARY of TERMS:
The profiles of the children
on this site are designed to give a general introduction to
the unique qualities of each child. Here are some of the most
commonly used terms and what they mean.
ABUSE: Many of the children waiting for
adoptive families are victims of abuse. This includes sexual,
physical, and emotional abuse. There are varying degrees of
abuse and the level of impact it ultimately has on the child.
Sometimes past abuse is not known about a child and may be
revealed later. The impact of past abuse can leave children
with emotional and behavioral problems that need to be worked
through with the help of knowledgeable professionals.
Attachment: Attachment is the ability
of a child to form significant emotional connections with
other people. Children who have experienced abuse and neglect,
even when very young, will sometimes find it difficult to
form significant ties throughout their lives and their relationships
to others often may be superficial. Children who have difficulty
maintaining direct eye contact, telling the truth, and not
being in control may have trouble forming meaningful attachments.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD): ADHD is a condition that affects a child's ability
to concentrate, which negatively impacts school performance
and makes it difficult for the child to stay on task for long
periods of time. This disorder is typically more common in
boys than girls and can often be controlled by medication.
Drug Exposure In Utero: Cocaine and other
drugs used during pregnancy can significantly increase the
risk of damage to the child’s nervous system. Children
exposed to drugs while in the womb may appear stiff and rigid,
have prolonged and piercing crying episodes, are easily over-stimulated,
and face an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Specific long-term effects are uncertain, but these children
generally experience some behavioral and learning difficulties
and ADHD.
Developmental Disabilities: This refers
to any condition or disorder - physical, cognitive or emotional
- that interferes with a child's normal progress. Implications
can range from mild to severe.
Emotional Disabilities: Some children
-- as a result of their history, genetics or both –
often must cope with emotional disabilities. They may require
special classrooms and teachers who are trained to deal effectively
with these special needs. Typically, these schools provide
varying levels and processes for educational planning.
Educable Mentally Handicapped (EMH):
Mental retardation affects people in different ways. Some
have educable retardation, meaning they can be educated and
trained for future responsibilities. EMH classes and programs
are designed to help these children achieve a level of independence.
Roughly 85% of those with retardation fall into this category.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Low birth
weight, learning impairment, birth defects, and mental retardation
(with varying degrees of impact) are signs of alcohol use
during pregnancy.
Learning Disabilities (LD): Children
with learning disabilities may be of average or above average
intelligence, but have difficulty learning, sorting, and storing
information in a traditional classroom setting. LD classes
allow them to reach their potential in a non-threatening environment.
Residential Treatment: Some children
require specialized therapeutic treatment in a residential
setting for emotional and/or behavioral difficulties. This
treatment may last for several months or up to a year, depending
on individual needs, and generally includes a school component.
Sexual Abuse: It is estimated that 90%
of the children defined as those with special needs have been
sexually abused in their lifetimes. This includes both boys
and girls and even extremely young children. For a number
of reasons, we do not attach this term to individual children.
It may not always have been proven that the child has been
sexually abused, but such abuse is quite common with special
needs children. It may surface at a later time and some children
who have experienced sexual abuse may act out sexually and
will need appropriate therapy to help them cope with past
abuse.
Termination of Parental Rights: This
legally frees a child to be adopted by another person
