Getting Started

Click here for more information about network agencies

Where To Get Started With Your Adoption

We understand that international adoption is not inexpensive. Our fees are determined based on domestic and overseas expenses, and include certain unavoidable costs such as rent, utilities, telephones, printing, supplies and postage, as well as compensation for our staff. Our fees must cover all operating expenses and provide sufficient reserve to cover months without placements or expenses incurred in connection with children who are ultimately not placed for adoption with our clients. We must also budget for travel expenses to foreign countries to begin new programs or iron out wrinkles in existing ones, as well as for foreign adoption officials to come to the United States to check on the adjustment of their children. Finally, it is important that our fees generate enough income to allow us to assist foreign orphanages with necessities such as food, clothing, medicine, and educational equipment for the many children who wait for families.

The following financing ideas may be helpful for your family:

Helpusadopt.org
Helpusadopt.org is a financial assistance grant program that will provide qualified couples and individuals with grants of up to $15,000 towards their adoption expenses.  Grants are awarded twice a year, in June and December.  Applicants must have a completed home study prior to applying for the grant.  Application deadlines are April 18, 2008 for the June award and October 17, 2008 for the December award.  Applicants must be not be pursuing fertility treatments simultaneously with adoption plans, and must demonstrate that while you can provide a stable environment for a child, you are facing significant financial obstacles and need financial assistance with your adoption expenses.    Priority will be given to couples/individuals without children.  For more information, contact: Helpusadopt.org at P.O. Box 20435 New York, NY 10021 or by phone 917-684-5484 or email at info@helpusadopt.org

One World Adoption Fund
The One World Adoption Fund (OWAF) is a non-profit organization that offers financial assistance to U.S. families who could not otherwise afford the cost of an international adoption.  Preference is given to two parent families looking to adopt more than one child, special needs children, and children older than five.  More information is available at www.owaf.org

Gift of Adoption Fund
The Gift of Adoption Fund awards grants to qualified U.S. citizens who have a completed homestudy.  Applicants are evaluated bases on their financial need.  Average grants awarded range between $2000 and $5,000. Applicants must pay a one time $20 application fee. www.giftofadoption.org

China Care
China Care provides grants to American families who are adopting special needs or older children from mainland China. The size of grant is based on family finances and need. Grants usually fall between $1,000 and $4,000.
 www.chinacare.org

Shaohannah’s Hope
Shaohannah’s Hope awards grants to families in the process of adopting a child domestically or internationally. The size of each grant is determined by the need of the applicants and funds currently available at the foundation.  In recent years the average grant awarded was $4,000.  Shaohannah’s Hope is not accepting any new applicants at this time, but may in the future.  www.shaohannahshope.org

Bright Futures
Bright Futures offers grants.  There is a $10 application fee.  www.brightfuturesfoundation.net

A Child Waits Foundation
A Child Waits Foundation offers low interest loans up to $10,000 as a last resort for families who have exhausted other financial aid options.  Their current rate of interest is 5 percent for a loan of no more than five years. www.achildwaits.org


Subsidies for Military Families
The U.S. Armed Forces offer up to $2,000 in financial assistance to active members of the military who are adopting a child. http://www.childwelfare.gov/pu
bs/f_milita.cfm

Adoption Tax Credit
A federal income tax credit up to $10,000 is allowable over the five years after an adoption is completed for families who meet income guidelines. For detailed information, order Publication 968 from the IRS at 1-800-829-3676 or download it at http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html

Donations from Churches and Community Groups
Some families have received financial help towards their adoption expenses from their church and other civic organizations in their local area.

Cradle of Hope Special Needs Fund
A source of grants for families adopting special needs children from Russia.

Sergey's Fund
Through the generosity of Cradle of Hope supporters, we are able to offer a limited number of $2,500 to $5,000 grants to moderate income families adopting Russian boys between 2 years and 5 years of age. 

National Endowment for Financial Education
Publishes a comprehensive booklet, "How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option" can be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/children/adoption/index.html.  

God's Grace Adoption Ministries
Gives grants to Christian two-parent families with incomes under $60,000. www.ggam.org

Cradle of Hope has established a Network Program with adoption agencies across the United States. Our Network Agencies provide families with homestudy and post-placement services, detailed information regarding Cradle of Hope's international programs, and assistance with preparation of the documents and CIS process required for international adoptions. They can also provide counseling, education and support throughout the adoption process. Cradle of Hope staff begins work with each network family once a child referral has been accepted. Network programs work well for families who want to adopt through one of our international programs but would also like to have face to face contact with and direct service from a social worker and/or case coordinator in their local area. Cradle's Network families receive a $1,000 fee reduction in any program.

If you would like more information about our Network Program, please feel free to contact one of the following Network Agencies in your area or the Cradle of Hope office.

AZ Building Arizona Families
6027 N. 132nd Drive
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
623-936-4729
Contact: Kelly Rourke

 

KS

Blessings Social Services
3063 River Park Ct.
Wichita, KS 67203
317-787-3412
Contact: Ellen Patterson

CA International Christian Adoptions
4175 Rider Way #2
Temecula, CA 92590
951-695-3336
951-308-1753 (fax)
Contact: Charlotte Paulsen
MA The Home for Little Wanderers
271 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
617-267-3700
617-267-8142 (fax)
Contact: Paula Wisnewski

Child & Family Services
800 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-990-0894
508-990-0298 (fax)
Contact: Melissa Caron or Kelly Foxx

Jewish Family Services of Greater Springfield
15 Lenox Street
Springfield, MA 01108
413-737-2601
413-737-0323 (fax)
Contact: Susan Phillips

CO Adoption Homestudy & Training Agency
4685 West Princeton Ave.
Denver, CO 80236
303-798-5250
303-794-8803 (fax)
Contact: Marj Bluder
 
NJ Jewish Family Service of MetroWest
256 Columbia Turnpike, Ste. 105
Florham Park, NJ 07932
973-765-9050
973-765-0195 (fax)
Contact: Sheila Muster

Catholic Charities
115 West Pearl Street
Burlington, NJ 08016
609-386-6221
609-386-6993 (fax)
Contact: Nancy Morrell

Jewish Family and Children's Services

(serving South Jersey)
2100 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-673-0100
Contact: Lisa Walters 

 

CT Jewish Family Services
1440 Whalley Avenue
New Haven, CT 06515
203-389-5599
203-389-5904 (fax)
Contact:  Amy Rashba (x113)
Lina Lawall (x105)

Jewish Family Services
1 Holly Hill Road
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-622-1881
Contact: Steve Baranowski 

 

NY

 

Jewish Family Services of Rochester
441 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
585-461-0110 ext. 120
585-461-9658 (fax)
Contact: Shula Meyerowitz

Spence-Chapin Services to Family and Children
410 East 92nd Street
New York, NY 10128
212-369-0300
212-722-0675 (fax)
Contact: Becky Braun
Louise Schnaier

Catholic Guardian Society
1011 First Ave.
New York, NY 10022
212-371-1000 ext. 2117
Contact: Kathleen Dooley-Polcha
 

GA Lutheran Services of Georgia
2987 Clairmont Road
Suite 150
Atlanta, GA 30329
404-591-7034
Contact:  Joanne Quinn
PA Catholic Charities of Harrisburg
806-C South 29th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111

717-564-7115 x229

717-564-7180 (fax)
Contact: Ruth Broms

Common Sense Adoption Services
5021 E. Trindle Road, Suite 300
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
717-766-6449 or 1-800-445-2444
717-766-8015 (fax)
Contact: Lori Teeter or Sharon Tannehill

OpenArms Adoption Network, a program of JFCS of Greater Philadelphia

10125 Verree Road, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19116

215-673-0100 x139
Contact: Lisa Walters 

Sanctuary House
1497 Simpson Ferry Road
New Cumberland, PA 17070
717-433-5812
Contact person: Sandi Bornman

Franklin Family Services
131 E. McKinley Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717-263-8504
Contact person: Kaye Ringer

IL St. Mary's Services
717 West Kirchoft Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
847-870-8181
847-870-8325 (fax)
Contact: Lisa Bende or Jamie Hammer

Catholic Charities of Chicago
651 West Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60661
312-655-7087 
312-382-1612 (fax)
Contact: Kathy Herrara

671 S. Lewis Ave.
Waukegan, IL 60085
847-782-4222
Contact: Daiva Piscikaite

1717 Rand Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
847-376-2124
Contact: Connie Shapiro

Children's Home & Aid Society
910 2nd Avenue
Rockford, IL 61104
(815) 962-1043
(815) 962-1272 (fax)
Contact: Peggy Franklin  

VA Jewish Family Services
6718 Paterson Avenue
Richmond, VA 23226
(804) 282-5644 x23
(804) 285-0006 (fax)
Contact: Jessica Carty
IN  St. Elizabeth's Home
2500 Churchman Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46203
(800) 499-9113
(317) 787-0482 (fax)
Contact: Renee Hummell
 
WV Burlington United Methodist Family Services
Route 3, Box 346-A
Grafton, WV 26354
304-265-1338
304-265-1575 (fax)
Contact: Sandra Ganier

RR 3, Box 3122
Keyser, WV 26726
304-788-2342

P.O. Box 370
Scott Depot, WV 25560
304-757-9127
304-757-9136 (fax)
Contact: Donna McCune or Jennifer Brown

All families adopting internationally will need a homestudy through a licensed adoption agency or social worker in their state of residence. To find agencies that have worked with Cradle of Hope families and are generally familiar with our programs click here.


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