Adoption
We believe that every child deserves to know the love and security of a forever family.
- Home / Child & Family /
- Adoption
If it is not possible for a child in foster care to safely return to their birth parents, we help identify a loving adoptive family who is best suited to meet the individual needs of the child. In many cases, a member of the child’s birth family or the child’s foster parents will adopt them. However, when this is not possible, Judson Center’s Child Safe Adoption Program looks to our network of recruited adoptive families. If we cannot identify a family this way, we then work with Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) to connect with adoptive families throughout the state.
Becoming Approved to Adopt
Qualifications
Judson Center does not discriminate against any individual or group because of race, religion, age, national origin, color, height, weight, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political beliefs or disability.
May be of any age 18 years or older
May be single, married, or unmarried partners
May be of any financial status, as long as you can adequately meet the financial needs of your family and the child(ren) you wish to adopt.
Must have safe and stable housing. This can be through owning or renting your home, and may be a variety of housing situations.
Steps to becoming approved to adopt
Once you make the decision to become an adoptive parent, the following steps must be followed:
Step 1: Contact Us!
Step 2: Attend Adoption Orientation Training
The first step to being approved for adoption is to participate in an Adoption Orientation with Judson Center. Adoption Orientations are free and presented by experienced adoption specialists at Judson Center’s Wayne Regional Office or in your home. Call today to schedule an orientation and click on the PDF provided to view our 2023 Orientation Schedule.
Step 3: Submit an Adoption Application and Fingerprint Clearance Requests
Proper documentation will be provided to you during adoption orientation.
Step 4: Attend GROW Training
GROW is a competency-based program which provides greater detail about the foster care system and the responsibilities of foster and adoptive parents. Topics covered include: attachment and loss issues, discipline, effects of abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, and the effects of fostering and adopting on the family. GROW must be completed by all families wishing to become approved for adoption.
Step 5: Complete a Home Assessment
The home assessment (also referred to as a home study) includes collecting all documentation; a physical assessment of your home; and interviews with each member of your household, including spouse, domestic partner, children, etc.
Step 6: Begin making inquiries on MARE
Visit Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE)
Allow your adoption worker to assist you in matching you with your forever child!
Judson Center does not discriminate against any individual or group because of race, religion, age, national origin, color, height, weight, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political beliefs or disability.
Orientation & Adoptive Parent Training
Adoption Orientation
The first step to being approved for adoption is to participate in an adoption orientation with Judson Center. Adoption orientations are free and presented by experienced adoption specialists at Judson Center’s Wayne Regional Office, or in your home.
2023 Adoption Orientation Schedule
Call us today at (313) 255-8272 to schedule an orientation or complete our contact us form to register.
GROW Training
GROW is a competency-based program which provides greater detail about the foster care system and the responsibilities of foster and adoptive parents. Topics covered include: attachment and loss issues, discipline, effects of abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, and the effects of fostering and adopting on the family. GROW must be completed by all families wishing to become approved for adoption. For information and training schedule: https://www.fcnp.org/grow-training-schedules
Trauma Training
Judson Center has partnered with the Children’s Trauma Assessment Center (CTAC) through Western Michigan University, and with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, to provide our consumers with training opportunities focused on addressing the needs of the children we work with. Specifically, these trainings address the traumatic experiences that children in foster care have had and how foster and adoptive parents can best understand and meet these needs. Judson Center is at the forefront of this important movement and is dedicated to servicing children and families in ways that appropriately address their needs and experiences.
Additional Trainings
Judson Center regularly provides additional training for foster and adoptive families. Check back often for upcoming trainings!
Training is subject to change so please call to confirm:
Phone: (313) 255-8258
Email: adoptions@judsoncenter.org
Adoption FAQ
What is adoption?
Adoption is the establishment of a legally recognized, lifelong relationship between adoptive parents and the adoptee(s) in question. Adoptive parents become the child’s legal parent. Their lifelong commitment and responsibility are no less important than if the child was born to them.
Are there children awaiting adoption?
The children available for adoption through Judson Center come from Michigan’s foster care system. They are in foster care due to abuse, neglect, death or abandonment by their birth families. Their parent’s rights have been terminated by the court. The children who wait range in age from 0-17 years old however, most are between the ages of 12-17. They come from all racial and cultural backgrounds. Some children are a part of a sibling group and it is in their best interest to have them be adopted together. Many of the children who are waiting for an adoptive family have special needs.
What is meant by special needs?
Due to the past experiences of children in foster care, many have special physical, medical, behavioral, emotional, educational, or mental health needs. Many require increased supervision in the home, therapy, or special education services. To give you a better idea of the types of special needs we often work with, please review MARE’s impairment level guidelines. We welcome all families who feel comfortable parenting a child with needs in at least one of these areas.
Do I have to be married?
No. Single individuals can adopt a child. If an unmarried couple is interested in adoption, both adults can be studied as household members, but per Michigan law, only one can legally adopt the child.
What are the costs?
If you wish to adopt a child from Michigan’s foster care system, there is no fee for the completion of your family assessment. However, you will be responsible for court filing fees at the time an adoption is filed, which averages around $200, and $50 for a new Michigan birth certificate.
How long does it take to adopt a child?
For families who are able to attend the necessary training classes and submit the required documents in a timely manner, Judson Center can complete your home assessment for adoption in about 90 days. A dual assessment for foster care and adoption may require an additional 30 days.
Once a family has an approved home assessment for adoption, matching with a child may take anywhere from 3 months to over a year. The length of time varies based on how specific a family is about the type of child they wish to adopt, and whether or not they are looking for the type of child most commonly available for adoption.
Once a family is matched with a child, the adoption process can take anywhere from three months to a year, depending on a variety of factors, including whether a child adapts well to the family, whether or not the family is licensed for foster care, and whether there are any additional barriers to the adoption.
What about support after adoption?
There are many post-adoption resources such as support groups, therapy, crisis intervention, respite care and referral services. Please visit the Post Adoption Resource Center (PARC)’s page to learn more about post-adoption resources.
What makes Judson Center different?
Judson Center is an agency that puts customer service at the forefront of everything we do. We are dedicated to helping children and families improve their lives, and we do that through strength-based solution-focused services. We treat you like part of our family!
What is the greatest need?
As of May, 2018, there are 350 children photo listed on MARE who are available for adoption without an identified adoptive family, and 80% of these children are over the age of 10. When it comes to adoptive families, the greatest need is for families who can say yes to at least one of the following questions:
- Are you willing to pursue adoption of two children simultaneously (siblings)?
- Are you willing to parent a child with moderate or severe needs in any area? Visit Child Functioning Level Guidelines on MARE (add link)
- Are you willing to adopt a child over the age of 10?
Adoption Resources
In addition to traditional adoption services, Judson Center provides an array of supportive services to help children find their ‘forever families’ and to give families the support they need to thrive.
MARE
More than 3,000 children in Michigan are waiting for permanent, loving homes to call their own each year. Learn more at MARE.
PARC
The Post Adoption Resource Center (PARC) provides support and services to families after an adoption is finalized.
We provide the following services:
- Educational seminars and training for adoptive families
- Support groups for adoptive families and adopted children
- Liaison for adoptive families with community services
- Information and referral to appropriate community services
- Adoption-sensitive, time-limited, case management and crisis intervention services
- 24-hour telephone access for adoptive families looking for support services
Self-referrals are welcomed from families who reside in one of Judson Center’s PARC regions:
Region 5: Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, St. Joseph, and Washtenaw
734.794.2988
Region 6: Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola
810.732.8510
Visit the Post Adoption Resource Center (PARC) website for further information.
PARC is a program of Judson Center and is funded by The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Closed Adoption Files
All closed adoption files for Judson Center, Child Safe Michigan, and The Detroit Children’s Baptist Home are held by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s Central Adoption Registry. Please send a written request for your information along with a copy of valid photo identification to:
Michigan Department of Health and Human ServicesCentral Adoption Registry/Post Adoption Inquiry Analyst
235 S. Grand Ave., Ste. 514
PO Box 30037
Lansing, MI 48909
Please Note: The county court in which your adoption case was processed may also hold additional information about your adoption records.
If you have additional questions, you can contact the Michigan Central Adoption Registry at (517) 335-6075