Thinking of Child Adoption in Nevada

Child Adoption in Nevada is a Vibrant and Dynamic Program

The state has more than its fair share of adoption need and social services struggle to find good homes for the ever increasing need.  Notwithstanding, the State of Nevada is determined to maintain its high standards of suitability screening.  Their stated goal:  “State adoption programs provide safe and permanent homes for children whose birth parents cannot care for them. The programs are child-focused, and designed to recruit and secure the best families available to meet children’s needs”.

There is always a tremendous need for families to adopt special needs children from the foster care system, who are unable to return to their birth families.  Prospective parents willing to adopt special needs kids generally don’t get placed on the waiting list.  Adoption is a rewarding experience but you have to understand that adoptive children come with all the same demands and issues as those who remain in birth families, but you don’t have the benefit of knowing the experience the child had before coming into your orbit.

The criteria for being considered suitable are wide ranging and include: People of any race, religion or no religious preference, those who work outside the home, renters or people who own their own homes, high or low incomes, with or without other children over age 21; however, all applicants must be at least ten years older than the person being adopted, married or single people; however, if married, the spouse must also be a party to the adoption.

The procedure for being cleared to adopt is straight forward and includes: Attendance at an orientation of foster/adoptive parent class, home study, referral and selection of an adoptive family for a particular child through a matching process, visitation and placement of the child with the adoptive family, a minimum of six months of post-placement supervision and support services and court finalization of the adoption.

You must expect to go through the mill a little. The authorities will want to know as much about prospective adoptive parents as possible.  They will take references from people who know you well and carry out a thorough criminal history and Child Abuse/Neglect (CANS) screening.  Not only will the parents undergo this procedure but other adults living in the home also.  There will be interviews and home visits with a social worker and physical examination for the applicants and household members.  The procedures are exhaustive and intrusive because they have to be.  Ultimately the whole procedure is worthwhile and many happy families are created with the adopted children going on to be successful in school, college and university and subsequent careers.