Jackson Adoption & Foster Care Resources

If you live in the capital of Mississippi or are about to pursue an adoption there, you may be wondering what resources are available to you. Fortunately, you can find everything you need right in your home city.

The following page contains information on local adoption agencies, home study providers, hospitals, and anything else you need for your adoption in Jackson, Mississippi.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Jackson

To begin the adoption process, many hopeful adoptive parents and pregnant women considering adoption first choose an adoption professional to help guide them through the process.
You have many choices when selecting an adoption professional. If you are interested in working with an adoption agency or attorney near Jackson, consider the following:

• Bethany Christian Services
• Catholic Charities
• Mississippi Families for Kids

Jackson Foster Care Resources

Like adoptive parents, foster parents must meet the requirements of their state before they can care for a child. If you want to become a foster parent in Mississippi, you must fit the following criteria:

• Be between the ages of 21 and 65
• Undergo background check
• If married, be married for at least 2 years
• Complete a home study and have:
  • Running and sanitary water
  • A working telephone
  • A smoke alarm and fire extinguisher
  • A bedroom and bed for the child
• Be in good health
• Be able to provide transportation for the child

If you would like to learn more about fostering and available children near you, you can find a list of foster care agencies in or near Jackson below:

• Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services 
• Mississippi Children’s Home Services
• Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc.

Home Study Providers

For prospective parents, the home study is one of the most important parts of every adoption and foster care process. Consisting of interviews, background checks, home visits and a written report, the Mississippi home study helps ensure that your home is fit for a child.
It is important to choose the right professional to complete your adoption home study and ensure it complies with all state laws and requirements. To get started, contact a home study provider in your state:

• New Beginnings
  662-842-6752
  Contact New Beginnings for an in-depth review of your home that will meet all Mississippi guidelines.
• Lifeline Children’s Services
  205-967-0811
  Lifeline has licensed social workers in all of the states where they complete adoptions, including Mississippi.

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

Hospitals near Jackson

As the baby’s due date draws closer, it is up to the expectant mother to create a hospital plan for her stay. If you are making an adoption plan for your baby, this will be your opportunity to decide who is in the delivery room with you, how much time you will spend with your baby and the adoptive family, and more.
When you are ready to begin planning your hospital stay, your adoption agency will work with the delivery hospital to make them aware of your wishes. Here are some local Jackson hospitals that you may be able to work with:

• Merit Health Women’s Hospital
  1026 North Flowood Drive
  Flowood, MS 39232
  601-932-1000
• Baptist Health Systems
  1225 North State Street
  Jackson, MS  39202
  601-968-1000
• Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants
  2500 North State Street
  Jackson, MS 39216
  601-815-4545

Mississippi Adoption Laws and Requirements

All adoptions taking place in Jackson must comply with Mississippi adoption laws. State adoption laws regulate many steps in the adoption process, and it is important to work with your adoption professional or adoption attorney to ensure your adoption is legally valid.
To learn more about Mississippi adoption laws, visit our Mississippi adoption page. For an overview of the legal processes that impact birth parents and adoptive families, read the following sections.
Birth Parents:
Every state has unique consent laws designed to protect your parental rights and help you to make an informed adoption decision.
Similarly, the father of the child must also terminate his parental rights, either voluntarily or involuntarily. If you have questions or concerns about the father’s role in your adoption, speak to your adoption attorney or visit our Mississippi adoption page.
Adoptive Families:
All families must meet the basic eligibility requirements of their state in order to be able to adopt.
Additionally, you may have to meet extra requirements put in place by your adoption professional. Speak to your particular professional if you have any questions or concerns, and view our Mississippi adoption information to learn more.

County Court Information

Following placement, your adoption will need to be finalized in court. If you are finalizing your adoption in Jackson, Mississippi, find your local courthouse and other information about finalizing your adoption in your county:

• Hinds County
• Madison County
• Rankin County

Things to Do in Jackson

When families adopt from outside of their home state, they must remain in the birth mother’s state for 7-10 days to wait for legal clearance. If you are adopting in Jackson from out of state, here are some things you can do during your time in the city:

• The Jackson Zoo
• Mississippi State Capitol
• Mississippi Museum of Art