"PARENTS-IN-WAITING"  WHAT TO EXPECT:

The Director of Placement approves and facilitates the Application, gathers the required documents, reviews and approves the Home Study process. You become Parents-in-Waiting once all of the required Eligibility Requirements are met AND all of the Verification Documents are completed, approved and on file in the Agency records. One half of the financial agreement.

As Parents-in-Waiting the Agency presents to the Birth Parents your de-identified packet with your Birth mother letter and with your photo album. A commitment packet is sent to you with Birth Parent information including all the available information that the Agency was able to gather - the Birth Parent Profiles, the Medical Records and Photos of the Birth Parents if available.

The Parents-in-Waiting have 5 days to review the Birth Family information, ask questions, take time to discuss with family and friends, at which time you make a decision . You verbally "commit" to a Birth Family, and then sign a "Commitment Letter" which secures your financial support and interest. You must also include the balance of the Agency fee as well as the Estimate of Expenses with your commitment letter.

We accept expectant mothers in their fifth month of pregnancy. A pregnancy test must be verified by a physician as well as drug and HIV screening. The Birth Mother must be willing to go to all doctor's appointments and be cooperative with all requirements. We maintain close contact with you, apprising you of the Birth Mother's pre-natal progress. We will alert you to any medical or psychological factors, as they become apparent. Contact with the Birth Family can be arranged at the comfort level for all involved. The Agency coordinates with you a communication plan involving, phone calls and meetings.

Interstate Compact
Adoptive families coming from out of state to complete the placement process and to pick up their baby will have to stay in Texas for a period or 7 to 10 days, awaiting clearance from the State of Texas and the receiving state to take the baby to their home state. So, you will want to plan ahead for this stay. One of the Adoptive Parents must return in six months, after the supervision of the child in the home is complete. If there are no problems with placement, the adoption will be finalized in San Antonio.