Manchester Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Families hoping to adopt or pregnant women considering adoption may be unsure of what resources are available to them in the Manchester 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 Manchester adoption and foster care professionals, home study providers, hospitals, and more.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Manchester

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 Manchester, consider the following:

• Bethany Christian Services
• Adoptive Families for Children
• Catholic Charities of New Hampshire
• Law Offices of Karen Shea
• Family Law New Hampshire

Manchester 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 New Hampshire, you must fit the following criteria:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Own or rent a home
• Complete a home study and criminal records checks for household members over 17 years of age
• Provide five references
• Submit statements of good health
• Complete Foster & Adoptive Care Essentials (FACES) training

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 Manchester below:

• Child and Family Services
• New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

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 New Hampshire 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 Hope for Children 1-844-264-2367 This private practice is licensed to provide home studies, post-placement assessments, and adoption counseling for anyone pursuing adoption in New Hampshire.

• Child and Family Services 800-640-6486 Child and Family Services will offer domestic and international home studies, updates, and post-placement assessments in accordance with New Hampshire Adoption Standards.

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

Hospitals near Manchester

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 Manchester hospitals that you may be able to work with:

• Elliot Hospital 1 Elliot Way, Suite 100 Manchester, NH 03103 603-669-5300

• Catholic Medical Center 100 McGregor Street Manchester, NH 03102 603-668-3545

New Hampshire Adoption Laws and Requirements

All adoptions taking place in Manchester must comply with New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire adoption laws, visit our New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 Manchester, New Hampshire, find your local courthouse and other information about finalizing your adoption in your county.

Things to Do in Manchester

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 Manchester from out of state, here are some things you can do during your time in the city:

• Currier Museum of Art
• America’s Credit Union Museum
• Saint Joseph Cathedral
• The Amoskeag Fishways