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Hammond Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Hammond, Indiana
Families hoping to adopt or pregnant women considering adoption may be unsure of what resources are available to them in the Hammond area. Here, you can find everything you need to know to complete your Pittsburgh adoption from start to finish.
Read on to find information about Hammond adoption and foster care professionals, home study providers, hospitals, and more. For even more information, visit our adoption in Indiana page.

Hammond Adoption Agencies and Professionals

One of the first steps in adoption is choosing a professional to help you through each step of the process. Some couples and individuals prefer to work with local adoption agencies and attorneys. Below, you can find a list of Hammond adoption agencies and other adoption professionals:

Become a Hammond Foster Parent

If you are hoping to adopt an older child, you may want to adopt through the foster care system. In order to become a foster parent in Hammond, you must meet the following Indiana requirements:

  • Fill out a state-issued licensing packet
  • Complete a background check
  • Pass a home study
  • Attend 10 hours of foster parent training

To get started on becoming a foster parent in Hammond, contact one of your nearby foster care professionals:

Home Study Providers

The home study signifies that you are officially ready to adopt a child. During this assessment, a social worker will conduct a background check, visit your home, and interview the members of your household to make sure your home is safe for a baby.
The home study can take up to a few months, so it is recommended that you begin as soon as possible. See the sections below for information on Indiana-licensed home study providers:
Near Hammond:

  • MLJ Adoptions
    317-875-0058
    MLJ works with hopeful families on a variety of adoption situations, including domestic, international, kinship, and embryo adoption.
  • KidsFirst Adoption
    317-843-2300
    KidsFirst can provide domestic adoption services to families in Indiana. They are also Hague accredited and work on international adoptions.

In Indiana:

  • Adoptions of Indiana
    317-574-8950
    Adoptions of Indiana will make sure that you Indiana home study is completed, and they can provide you with any other adoption services you need.
  • Adoptions and Family Support Network
    219-924-2600
    Complete your home study and find help for any of your other adoption-related need with this Indiana-based agency.

Visit 1800HomeStudy.com to learn more about Indiana home study providers.

Hospitals near Hammond

When the time comes for the adoptive family and birth parents to finally meet their little one, a hospital plan will be in place to determine the details of the labor and delivery process.
If you are a prospective birth mother, your adoption agency will work with you and your delivery hospital to develop and coordinate your hospital plan. Here are some nearby hospitals you may be working with:

Adoption Law and Eligibility

Each state has its own unique adoption laws, and anyone hoping to pursue adoption in Hammond must comply with all Indiana regulations. Below, you can read more about adoption in Indiana and what potential birth parents and families need to consider. If you have additional questions, visit our Indiana adoption page.
Adoption Laws for Birth Parents:
Birth parents must legally terminate their parental rights before an adoption can take place. Each state’s consent laws are different and must be followed in order for the adoption to be legally recognized. In Indiana, a mother must wait until after the birth of a child before she can give legally recognized consent.
The birth father can consent to the adoption at this time as well. If he denies paternity prior to the child’s birth, then this is also recognized as a surrender of parental rights. If you have any questions about the rights of your child’s father or obtaining his consent, speak to your adoption professional.
Laws for Adoptive Families:
Each state dictates adoption eligibility requirements for families hoping to adopt in that state. In addition, state statutes regulate the adoption expenses that can be paid by adoptive families, the requirements for finalizing an international adoption, the use of advertising and facilitators, and more. An outline of laws and laws for adoptive parents in Indiana is available on our state adoption information page.

County Court Information

All adoptions must be finalized in court. Finalization usually occurs around six months after placement, following a series of post-placement check-ins from a social worker. After that, adoptive families will be able to legally complete their adoption in a court near them. Visit the Lake County Court Information web page to learn more about the courts near you.

Things to Do in Hammond

If you are traveling to Hammond to adopt, you may find yourself in the city for an extended period of time as you wait for placement to occur. The Indiana South Shore website offers suggestions for all kinds of things to see in Hammond, including:

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