Adoption Services at Family Services of NW PA include a variety of child placement services for both children and families, including adoption searches, child profiles, child preparation, home studies, and post-permanency services.
Family Services is a licensed adoption and foster care agency. As an affiliate of the Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN), Family Services of NW PA supports and assesses families who wish to adopt children available through any Office of Children and Youth agency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Children available for adoption are typically ages 6 years or older and may have a history of physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect. They may also have medical or educational limitations or emotional problems.
Who Can Adopt?
Adoption guidelines are very flexible. You can adopt if you:
- Are single or married
- Already have children
- Work outside the home
- Own or rent your home
- Have income to meet financial obligations
To become a potential adoptive parent, applicants:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Are required to pass a physical examination
- Are screened through the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Childline and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Are required to provide proof of financial stability
- Must pass a home inspection
Post-Permanency Services:
Post-Permanency Services are available for FREE to families who have provided permanency for children and youth. The goal is to help families identify their strengths, establish goals and locate community resources for ongoing support.
Post-Permanency Services are provided by the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) and include:
- Case Assessment: Helps the family identify their strengths and needs, develop goals and a family support plan that will help them meet their goals.
- Case Advocacy: Ensures the family has the community resources that best meet their needs.
- Respite: Supports eligible families by developing resources to alleviate the pressures of parenting children with special needs. This can include funds for baby-sitters and may also include funds for activities for parents and children to strengthen their relationships.
- Support Groups: Provide parents and children a chance to get together with other families and youth dealing with similar issues.
- Ongoing Training: Trainings can also be made available to Post-Permanency families on requested topics to help parents and children learn and grow as cohesive families.
Eligibility:
All families who live in Pennsylvania and provide permanency through adoption or Permanent Legal Custodianship (PLC), whether or not they adopted a child from the child welfare system, privately, or internationally are eligible for Post-Permanency services though the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN).
Families are eligible to receive post-permanency services until the adopted child is 21 years old.
Accessing Post-Permanency Services:
To access post-permanency services, call the SWAN Help Line at 1-800-585-7926 after your adoption has taken place.
