Caseworker & New Client Packet
As soon as MAA approves your application and your application fee is received, we will assign you to one of our wonderfully competent Caseworkers. Your Caseworker will be your primary contact throughout your adoption to answer questions, provide additional information, and support you through each step of the process. At this time, we will also issue the MAA New Client Packet which includes all of the step-by-step instructions for the first stages of the adoption process, including the home study, the pre-adoptive training, the US immigration application, and the dossier.
Along with the issuance of the New Client Packet , you will also receive the MAA Adoption Contract and other documents that must be signed and returned to MAA before you can move onto the next steps.
Home Study
It is important to begin your home study as soon as possible because it can take several months to complete. If you reside in one of MAA’s licensed states, you will be assigned an MAA Social Worker, and provided with additional instructions regarding the required home study documents. If you live outside of our service area, you must locate a home study agency. Please be sure that the agency you select is non-profit, either Hague or COA accredited, and does not utilize contract Social Workers for home studies.
- Using MAA as your home study provider (residents of Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania).
- Using another agency as your home study provider (residents of other states).
Matching with a Waiting Child (Waiting Child Program)
“We just committed to a Bulgarian waiting child through Madison Adoption Associates! Now what do we do?”
The prospective adoptive family should do the following research and preparation before submitting an Adoption Application to MAA to pursue a specific waiting child:
- Research the child’s medical condition(s), including appropriate support groups for parenting a child with those special needs. Please refer to these medical resources as needed:
- Obtain detailed information from doctors, specialists, friends, or families who have children with the same conditions.
- Identify medical specialists who can treat or consult about the condition of the child. If needed, please contact your caseworker for a list of International Adoption Medical Clinics.
- Be prepared to show proof of parental training, experience, education and/or understanding regarding the specific medical condition.
- Understand that MAA will continue to advocate for the child until you have a current, valid home study.
The following documents must be completed and sent to MAA. These documents may be scanned and sent via email to Sarah Hansen, International Programs Director; however, we must receive the original signed documents for your adoption case file.
- Application Fee
The MAA application fee is $500. MAA is not currently set up to accept credit card payments. Please send a check or money order directly to the MAA Delaware Office. - Commitment paperwork as required by the NGO
- Letter of Intent
Please refer to the Sample LOI for the format of this document. Your letter needs to be specific to the child you are pursuing. Please email your letter to Sarah@MadisonAdoption.org for review PRIOR to notarization. The letter MUST include the following:
(1) Information regarding your knowledge, experience, training, etc. concerning the special medical condition of the child. State that you are willing to provide the child with whatever medical course of action is necessary for their special need.
(2) Information regarding the medical review of the child’s referral file. Include the name and location of the medical professional who provided this review.
(3) Information regarding how you will help your child adjust to a new family, home, language, and culture. Include your plans for the child’s future education, medical treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation, therapies, etc.
(4) You MUST include that you will love and cherish the child, will never abandon, mistreat, or abuse the child, and that the child will have all of the same rights and inheritance as if born to you.
(5) State that you will complete the required post adoption reports at 30 days, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months
- Waiting Child Referral Agreement #1
This document must include the name of the doctor/facility who reviewed the child’s referral for you.
Pre-Approval: Within several weeks after submitting your commitment paperwork to MOJ, MAA will receive notice regarding MOJ’s decision pertaining to your request to pursue the specific child. If approved, you will be required to complete and submit your Dossier to MOJ within six months of receiving this pre-approval.
Preparing your Dossier for a direct referral from MOJ (Traditional Program)
- Research special needs conditions listed on MAA’s Special Medical Needs list, including appropriate support groups for parenting a child with the special needs you selected. Please refer to these medical resources as needed:
- Line up the doctors and/or medical specialists who agree to provide their opinions and feedback about the child very quickly after receiving the child’s file from MOJ. There are doctors who specialize in evaluating the medical referrals for international children available for adoption. This can be challenging without advance planning! If needed, please contact your caseworker for a list of International Adoption Medical Clinics.
