Independence Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Preparing to begin the Missouri adoption process? Then you’ll need local professional resources for your Independence adoption.

Whether you need to place your baby for adoption in Independence, MO, or you’re adopting a child, you won’t be able to complete your journey without the help of qualified professionals. To make that first step easier, we’ve collected a list of all the best attorneys, home study providers, adoption agencies in Independence and more.

Below, you’ll find everything you’ll need to get started — so reach out to an Independence adoption professional today.

Below, we’ve listed both national and local professionals that serve the state of Missouri. We’ve included the local offices of these professionals, where applicable.

Domestic Adoption Agencies in Independence

Most pregnant women and adoptive parents will work with a private domestic infant adoption agency in Independence. That’s because these types of Independence adoption agencies are able to provide all of the services that you’ll need to complete the process, from consent to finalization.

Some of the services that agencies provide for prospective birth and adoptive parents include:

• Support and counseling for both parties
• Financial assistance for pregnant women who are struggling to support themselves (and potentially their families) during their pregnancy and adoption process
• Screening and matching services, so that prospective birth and adoptive families can find their ideal match safely and in less time
• And more

The following are the top-rated adoption agencies that are able to work with Independence residents, so contact them to learn more:

• American Adoptions

1125 Grand Blvd., Suite 1301

Kansas City, MO 64106

• A Gift of Hope Adoptions

303 N. Stadium Blvd., #200

Columbia, MO 65203

• Bringing Families Together

7151 N. Lindbergh Blvd.

Hazelwood, MO 63042

International Adoption Agencies in Independence

Although adopting a child from another country is a declining trend due to the increasing legal, financial and wait time difficulties, there are still some Hague-licensed international adoption professionals who may be able to help Independence residents with this option.

These are the nearest international agencies — contact them to learn more:

• Children’s Hope International

11780 Borman Drive

St. Louis, MO 63141

• Lutheran Children and Family Services

307 Locust St.

Columbia, MO 65201

• Holt International

Independence Foster Care Professionals

Interested in becoming a foster parent, or in pursuing a foster care adoption in Independence? You’ll need to reach out to an appropriately licensed Independence foster care adoption organization to get started.

These are the nearest foster care providers who will be able to help you throughout your journey:

• Missouri Department of Social Services

Nearest Office:

Fletcher Daniels Office Building Resource Center

615 E. 13th Street

Kansas City, MO 64106

• The Adoption Exchange

Missouri DSS Children’s Division

205 Jefferson

Jefferson City, MO 65101

• FosterAdopt Connect

18600 E. 37th Terrace S.

Independence, MO 64057

Adoption Attorneys in Independence

Pregnant women and hopeful adoptive parents will both need to work with an experienced and reputable adoption attorney. Your lawyer is there to walk you through the complex legal steps of adoption in Independence, Missouri, and to make sure that all of the legal aspects are completed correctly, safely and ethically.

An adoption agency can refer you to an adoption attorney in Independence, or you can reach out to one of these qualified legal professionals:

• Michael J. Belfonte, P.C.

14801 E. 42nd St S.

Independence, MO 64055

• Kevin Kenney, Attorney at Law

7301 Mission Road

Prairie Village, KS 66208

• James Piedimonte

Spring Street Law Building

209 S. Spring St.

Independence, MO 64050

• Kelli D. Wulff, LLC

4200 Little Blue Parkway, Suite 680

Independence, MO 64057

• McElligott Ewan & Hall

233 W. Walnut St.

Independence, MO 64050

• Michael S Smith, LLC

Spring Street Law Building

201 N. Spring St.

Independence, MO 64050

• Oswald Roam & Rew LLC

601 N.W. Jefferson St.

Blue Springs, MO 64014

• Whipple Law Firm, P.C.

Spring Street Law Building

210 N. Spring St.

Independence, MO 64050

Independence Adoption Home Study Providers

Families who wish to adopt a child must first complete the home study process. This is true for all prospective adoptive families, regardless of the type of adoption they’re planning to pursue. This pre-adoptive step is important for ensuring children are placed into safe, loving and prepared homes, so your home study worker will need to verify that you’re physically, mentally, emotionally and financially ready for this life-changing and unique path to parenthood.

You’ll need to work with a Missouri-licensed home study provider to complete your adoption home study in Independence. Contact one of these providers to learn more about their Independence home study services:

• American Adoptions

1125 Grand Blvd., Suite 1301

Kansas City, MO 64106

• All Blessings International (MO)

5505 N. Farmer Branch Road

Ozark, MO 65721

Hospitals in Independence

If you’re pregnant and have reached out to a professional about creating an adoption plan, then they’ll likely help you to establish your preferred hospital plan. In your hospital plan, you’ll outline your wishes regarding:

• Who is there with you for support
• How much you’d like the adoptive family to be involved in your labor and delivery
• How and where you want to give birth
• And more

The first decision you’ll typically make in your hospital plan is selecting the hospital where you’ll receive your free pre- and postnatal medical care (even if you aren’t medically insured). Some nearby options you might consider include:

• Centerpoint Medical Center

19600 E. 39th St.

Independence, MO 64057

• Saint Luke’s and Saint Luke's East

100 N.E. Saint Luke's Blvd.

Lee's Summit, MO 64086

Independence Adoption Courts

When an Independence-area adoptive family receives placement of a new child, they’ll spend several months completing their post-placement home study requirements and follow-ups. Then, their finalization hearing will be scheduled in Jackson County court.

The finalization itself is fairly short and simple, but because it’s the last legal step of adoption in Independence, it’s often an exciting and much-anticipated event!

Places to Stop During Your Independence Adoption

Prospective birth and adoptive families who are completing an adoption placement in Independence will understandably spend some time there together. You may meet up in Independence to get to know one another before (or at) placement, out-of-state adoptive families will complete their ICPC wait here, and you all may meet here for open adoption visits in the years to come.

So, you might want to explore a few points of interest while you’re here! Be sure to check out:

• Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
• The National Frontier Trails Museum
• Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
• Vaile Mansion

If you have any questions, or if you’re ready to begin your Independence infant adoption journey, it’s time to contact a licensed professional now.