Growing Your Family Through Adoption
Families First is committed to helping families adopt children in Georgia, from around the United States and from around the world. We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation, giving our clients peace of mind that we can guide you through the process from start to finish, helping you with everything you need to bring your child home.
Overview
Programs
FAQs
Contact Us
Inclusive Adoptions: Who We Serve
If you’re looking to grow your family through adoption, Families First wants to help.
Whether you’re adopting their first child or your fifth, or if you’re a foster-to-adopt family hoping to finalize an adoption, we’re here to support you on that journey.
We are proud to support the LGBTQ community through their adoption efforts. Ultimately children want love, stability, and support. We know that kind of whole-hearted love comes in all sizes, shapes, and sexual orientations.
Families First is also proud to help single individuals become parents through adoption. It’s a common misconception that you must be married in order to adopt; no so with us! If you’re single and looking to become a parent through adoption, you’ve come to the right place.
Love in Action:: What We Do
While we don’t place children for adoption, we have a robust network of local partner agencies around the state and can work with agencies around the United States and the world. We help prospective adoptive parents navigate the process to find their child.
Families First adoption services include, but are not limited to:
- Parenting training and preparation
- Home studies
- Placement approval
- Post placement reports and supervision
- Match facilitation
- Orientation and IMPACT training
If you have questions or need more information on the adoption process or the services Families First provides, please contact us at 404.853.2844
Impact Area Programs
Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry (please call 800.615.7976 for more information or click above to visit our website)
" The best thing that Shelter-A-Family has provided my family is the ability to be at peace in our own space, and that’s the best thing anyone can do for someone else. "
John Doe Tweet
Adoption Services FAQ
Families First can help with a variety of kinds of adoptions including:
- Adopting a child from the U.S. foster care system
- Adopting an infant in the United States
- Adopting a child from another country
- Adopting a relative’s child
There is no one-size-fits-all cost formula for adoptions. The total cost of adoption depends on a number of variables. Some factors include: the type of adoption, the agency, the state where you live, attorney fees, annual income, and necessary travel expenses.
A range of adoption costs may be:
- Foster care adoptions: $0 – $2,500
- Licensed private agency adoptions: $5,000 – $40,000+
- Independent adoptions: $8,000 – $40,000+
- Intercountry adoptions: $7,000 – $30,000
On average, the adoption process takes 1-2 years. It depends on a number of variables, including whether pre-adoption classes are required, how long it takes to complete your homestudy, and how long it takes to find the right child for your family.
The process begins with an inquiry. Families First we receive calls and emails which lead to conversations between a interested families and our staff. After making an inquiry, interested parties may be asked to participate in an adoption orientation or IMPACT Training class. There is also necessary paperwork that must be completed before a homestudy can begin.
A homestudy is an in-depth assessment which involves in-person interviews, observations, reference checks, background checks, and home visits. Homestudies are not standardized; they follow state regulations and may vary from state to state. The average homestudy, including verification submissions can take anywhere from three to six months to complete.
Yes! It’s a misconception you have to be married in order to adopt. In fact, you can be single. You can be married. You can be in a committed relationship. As long as you meet the requirements to apply for adoption, Families First is happy to help you along your adoption journey.
Yes! Families First strives to provide all members of our community with the option to become parents if they wish to. We are proud to offer our services and support to members of the LGBTQ community interested in adoption.
SUCCESS STORIES
Stories of Resiliency
Have a Question?
Please complete the form and we will route it to the correct person.