Erie Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Whether you live in the Erie area or are planning to adopt a child from there, you may not know what adoption resources are available to you. Whatever stage you are at in your adoption journey, the following collection of information will help you adopt or place a child for adoption in Erie, Pennsylvania.
If you would like information on the adoption process and related laws, visit our Adoption in Pennsylvania page.

Erie Adoption Agencies and Professionals

Adoption agencies can be beneficial for adoptive families and prospective birth parents because of the comprehensive services they provide. If you choose to work with an agency, your specialist will guide you through every step of the process.
If you would like to begin your adoption, start with one of the following Erie professionals:

• American Adoptions
• Adoption by Choice
• Catholic Charities Erie Office
• Law Offices of Carney & Good
• Absolute Love Adoptions

How to Become a Foster Parent in Erie

To be a foster parent in Erie, couples and individuals must meet the requirements of the state and their chosen agency. For prospective foster parents in Pennsylvania, that means meeting the following requirements:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Pass a physical and background check
• Complete a home study
• Attend mandatory training
• Provide references

If you are interested in becoming a foster family, contact a foster care agency who can help you get started in Erie:

• Erie County Department of Social Services
• Families United Network, Inc.
• Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption & Permanency Network

Completing the Home Study in Erie

The home study is a major milestone in every adoption and foster care process, and home study requirements are determined by the state. In Pennsylvania, the process includes at least one visit to the home and interviews with all members of the household. For more information about what to expect during the home study, visit our guide to Adoption in Pennsylvania.
When you are ready to begin the home study process, contact any of these legally qualified home study providers in your area:
Near Erie:

• Absolute Love Adoptions, Inc.
  814-440-6897
  Absolute Love Adoptions, Inc. will work with you on your Pennsylvania-compliant home study and, if you need it, offer you referrals to agencies in the state.
• Family Services of NW PA
  1-800- 634-2560
  Family Services of NW PA has been working for Pennsylvania families since 1882, and they provide a wide array of adoption, counseling, and education services to families.

In Pennsylvania:

• Love And Hope Adoption Services
  610-340-4973
  Contact Love and Hope Adoption Services to complete your state-compliant adoption regardless of where in Pennsylvania you live.
• Caring Adoption Associates, LLC
  484-494-0235
  Specializing in home studies and post-placement assessments, the social workers at Caring Adoption Associates will work with you and your adoption professional to meet all your requirements.
• Adoption Related Services, Inc.
  717-227-9560
  Located in Shrewsbury, this agency offers home studies for families adopting internationally and domestically. If you are pursuing international adoption, they also offer other services.

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

Hospitals in Erie

As prospective birth mothers create an adoption plan, they should also prepare for their hospital stay. When the big day arrives, it is up to the birth mother to decide who she wants to be present with her, how much time she wants to spend with her baby, and how much she will interact with the adoptive family. Contact one of the following locations for information as you begin thinking about your hospital plan:

• Saint Vincent Hospital
  232 West 25 Street
  Erie, PA 16544
  814-452-5000
• UPMC Hamot
  201 State Street
  Erie, PA 16550
  814-877-6000

To protect everyone’s rights in the adoption process and ensure all legal requirements are met, it may be helpful for prospective birth parents and adoptive parents to understand certain Pennsylvania adoption laws. Below, you can learn about the types of adoption laws in place in Pennsylvania.
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 Pennsylvania, a mother must wait 72 hours 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 you have any questions about the rights of your child’s father or obtaining his consent, speak to your adoption professional.
Adoptive Families:
In the state of Pennsylvania, adoption laws allow any individual to adopt, as long as they complete their home study. Additionally, you must also meet the adoption requirements of your agency or professional. These requirements may include factors such as age, marital status, religious affiliation, and more. Be sure you meet all of the necessary criteria before moving forward in your adoption plan.

County Court Information

Approximately six months after taking their baby home, an adoptive family must legally finalize their adoption in court. If you are waiting to finalize your adoption, your adoption specialist or attorney will provide you with more information before you appear in court.
For more information on court proceedings in your area, you can visit the Erie County Courts page.

Things to do in Erie

Throughout the adoption process, you may find yourself spending some time in Erie, either visiting prospective birth parents or waiting for ICPC clearances. Here are some local sights to enjoy during your time in the area:

• Presque Isle
• Erie Maritime Museum
• Erie Zoo
• Waldameer Water World