Greensboro Adoption & Foster Care Resources

For hopeful adoptive families and prospective birth mothers alike, the adoption process requires a lot of careful thought, research, and planning. If you are pursuing adoption in the Greensboro area, you may be wondering what resources you have available to you. Whatever stage of your adoption journey you are on, the information provided here can help you with adoption in Greensboro.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Greensboro

Pregnant mothers and hopeful families can both find all of the adoption services they need with adoption agencies. From introductory counseling to post-placement and finalization, an adoption agency will accompany you through every step of your adoption. If you are interested in working with an agency in the Greensboro area, contact one of the following professionals:

• American Adoptions
• Carolina Adoption Services
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• Children’s Home Society of North Carolina

Foster Care Professionals in Greensboro

Prospective foster parents must meet specific requirements before they are able to foster. While these requirements are similar to the requirements for adoptive parents, there are some slight differences. In the state of North Carolina, foster parents must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Complete a background check
• Pass a home study
• Complete required training and become licensed

To learn more about becoming a foster parent in Greensboro, you can follow the links below for information on local foster care professionals:

• Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services
• Youth Focus, Inc.
• Youth Villages

North Carolina Home Study Providers

The home study is an important landmark for adoptive families; once you have completed it, you will be officially ready to adopt a child. Consisting of a series of background checks, a home inspection, and an interview, the home study ensures that your home is safe and suitable for raising a child. If you are ready to begin your home study, then read on to find licensed home study professionals in North Carolina. Near Greensboro:

• Carolina Adoption Services 336-275-9660 Located in Greensboro, this agency is licensed to provide services to families in North and South Carolina.

• Hopscotch Adoptions 1-336-899-0068 While they specialize in international adoptions, Hopscotch Adoptions can also provide home studies to North Carolina families who want to adopt domestically.

In North Carolina:

• Nathanson Adoption Services 704-553-9506 Nathanson Adoption Services offers home studies across the state of North Carolina, as well as guidance through any post-adoption requirements.

• NC Homestudies 704-258-4029 NCHS is licensed to complete home studies for families across North Carolina. Additionally, they provide counseling services to families hoping to adopt.

• Christian Adoption Services 704-847-0038 Along with providing home studies and other adoption services to prospective families, this agency also has a 24-hour hotline for pregnant women in need of support.

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

Hospitals in Greensboro

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, you will eventually need to create a hospital plan. This tells your adoption specialist, your healthcare provider, and the adoptive family what kind of hospital experience you want to have when it is time to have the baby. As you consider your hospital plan, you can find information about some Greensboro hospitals below:

• Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital 1200 North Elm Street Greensboro, NC 27401 336-832-7000

• Kindred Hospital Greensboro 2401 Southside Boulevard Greensboro, NC 27406 336-271-2800

• Wesley Long Hospital 501 N. Elam Avenue Greensboro, NC 27403 336-832-1000

Laws and Requirements to Adopt in Greensboro

The adoption process has many steps and requirements, all of which must be adhered to by both the birth parents and the adoptive families. Read on to learn more about adoption laws and eligibility in North Carolina. Birth Parents: In North Carolina, a woman may legally consent to the adoption of her child any time after giving birth, but not before. In order for the adoption to be valid, the rights of the birth mother and father must both be terminated; in instances where the father’s consent cannot be obtained, there may be ways to terminate his rights involuntarily. Make sure you are familiar with North Carolina’s consent laws so that you are aware of your rights before completing an adoption. Adoptive Families: Each state has slightly different eligibility requirements for hopeful adoptive parents, and different adoption agencies may have more specific requirements. In North Carolina, any adult who completes a home study may legally adopt. If you are beginning your adoption journey, you can learn more about adoption laws at the Child Welfare Information Gateway. Make sure that you meet the requirements of both the state and your adoption agency before moving forward in your adoption plan.

County District Courts

Adoptions are finalized in court after a number of post-placement follow-up visits by a social worker. Your adoption specialist will inform you of what you need to do when it is time to finalize your adoption. If you would like information on the courts near you, you can contact the county courts listed below:

• Guilford County
• Davidson County
• Forsyth County
• Rockingham County
• Alamance County

Things to Do in Greensboro

If you are traveling to Greensboro to adopt, you should expect to remain in the state of North Carolina for 7-10 business days. During that time, here are some things you can do in and around Greensboro:

• Greensboro Science Center
• Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe
• Greensboro Coliseum Complex
• Bog Garden at Benjamin Park
• Carolina Theatre