Essex Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Whether you are interested in adoption as an expectant mother or prospective adoptive parent in Essex, there are many local adoption and foster care agencies, home study professionals and other adoption and foster care services available in your area.
Read on to learn more about local professionals and adoption in Essex, Vermont.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Essex

Prospective birth parents and hopeful adoptive families should work closely with an adoption professional throughout the process. This professional will provide education, counseling and the adoption services you need to complete your adoption.
If you would prefer to work with a local or regional agency, consider the following Essex adoption professionals:

• Lund
• Kolvoord, Overton Wilson, P.C.

Essex Foster Care Resources

Foster care programs, requirements and processes vary depending on state laws. In Vermont, the requirements for foster parents include:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Have a home with enough room for a child
• Show proof of sufficient income

Some agencies have additional training or requirements for the parents they work with. Contact a local foster care agency for more information about the process to become a foster parent in Essex:

• Vermont Department for Children and Families

Home Study Providers

All prospective adoptive families must complete a home study. It is recommended that you begin the process as soon as possible, as it can take up to a few months and you must complete it before you can move forward in your adoption.
For your home study, you will need to contact a licensed social worker to conduct a background check, a home inspection, and interviews with you and your family. To begin the process or inquire further, contact one of the following Vermont-licensed home study providers:
Near Essex:

• Wide Horizons for Children
  800-729-5330
  At WHFC, you can complete a domestic or international home study regardless of where you live in the country.

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

Hospitals near Essex

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 Essex hospitals that you may be able to work with:

• The University of Vermont Medical Center
  111 Colchester Avenue
  Burlington, Vermont 05401
  802 847-0000

Vermont Adoption Laws and Requirements

Some of the most common questions for couples and individuals considering adoption in Essex are about local adoption laws and regulations. Adoption laws are determined by the state and are the same in Essex as they are anywhere else in the state.
The following provides an overview of the types of laws and regulations in place in Vermont. More detailed adoption law information is available on our Vermont adoption page.
Birth Parents:
For prospective birth parents, some of the most important adoption laws are those regarding consent and relinquishment. Vermont statutes regulate who must consent to an adoption, when and how consent can be executed, and more. This information and other Vermont birth parent laws can be found at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Adoptive Families:
In Vermont, there are laws in place regulating who is eligible to adopt, what expenses an adoptive family is permitted to pay, the types of adoption professionals who may advertise or facilitate an adoption, and more. To learn about your eligibility to adopt, review your state’s adoption laws and speak with your adoption professional about additional requirements they may have.

County Court Information

Essex adoptions must be finalized in court which will usually take place around six months after you take your child home. If you are adopting in Essex, Vermont, find your local courthouse and other details about proceedings in your county for additional information.

Things to Do in Essex

As adoptive parents, you may find yourself in the Essex area during the adoption process to visit your baby’s birth parents or wait for ICPC clearances. If you are looking for ways to spend your time in Essex before returning to your home state, here are some of the top attractions in the area:

• Above Reality Hot Air Balloon Rides
• Spa at the Essex