That’s right! We’re adopting!
A little reintroduction for those who don’t know us
Hi! We’re Jared and Nicole, and we’re excited to expand our family through open adoption. We are a multi-generation household. Our mother (Nicole’s mom, Patty) lives in our home. Built-in grandma! We are licensed foster parents through the Craven County DSS as of October 2022, and we have cared for 11 children. Their ages ranged from 3 months old to 13 years old. Our current foster placement is 8 months old. He is a happy-go-lucky boy nicknamed “Baby K.” His long-term plan is reunification with his biological parents. We have two dogs – Lucy “Goosey” and Roxy. We’re also trained in several subjects: CPR, TIPPS-MAPPS, trauma responses, food hoarding, normalcy, prudent parenting, compassion fatigue, etc.
The To Do List
We were accepted into an adoption agency on March 21, 2024. Woohoo! …now what?
To most, an adoption to-do list is VERY long. Luckily for us, we already tackled several of the items when we became licensed foster parents. Still, this to do list was no easy feat.
Our Professional Pictures (Thanks, Bob!)
Before “Going Live” w/ the Agency
Complete survey and send pictures ✓
Consultation fee: $350 (paid OOP) ✓
Sign and send agency contract ✓
1st adoption installment fee: $8,000 ✓
2nd adoption installment fee: $8,000
Social Worker mileage reimbursement: $?
New Parent Orientation at the agency (10am-3pm) ✓
Adoption Panel at the agency (10am-3pm)
Proof of residence, finances, and insurance ✓
[3] notarized reference letters ✓
Professional photos for adoption profile: $150 ✓
Copy of marriage license: $37 ✓
Copy of birth certificates: $37/person ✓
Criminal record check: $25/person ✓
Doctor’s notes ✓
Fingerprints: $55/person + $10/fingerprint card ✓
Responsible individual person’s list check (RIL) ✓
Read [2] adoption books from approved list: $5 ✓
CPR classes ✓
[3] e-learning classes + certification ✓
[2] consultations with e-learning creator ✓
Answer 3-page adoption profile questions ✓
Submit 45 pictures to agency dropbox for profile ✓
Create “adoption” social media profiles (facebook, IG, youtube) ✓
Create an introductory youtube video ✓
Create an adoption website ($ of domain + hosting) ✓
Home Study #1 (pre-adoption) ✓
Home Study #2 (pre-adoption) ✓
Complete any residual questions from the agency ✓
Once You’re Home Study Approved and “Go Live”
Once the above check list is complete, the adoptive parents are eligible to “go live” on the agency’s website. Our adoption agency encourages every family to “go live” within 90 days of their first consultation. They also encourage the families to launch their own marketing campaign. The timing, however, is tricky. You can only apply for grants once you have an approved home study in hand. Not to mention, your ENTIRE balance is due within three days of being matched. So, if you still owe $26,500 and you match with a birth mother, you owe $26,500 to the agency within 3 days. How tricky! The home study is the final step on the to-do list, and it’s possible to “go live” that same day.
Receive physical copy of home study
Apply for grants: FREE thru $50/app
Win Grants
Launch fundraisers and marketing campaigns
3rd adoption installment fee: $8,000
4th adoption installment fee: $8,000
Potential Match!
Adoptive parents confirm that they’re interested in a birth parent’s profile
The birth parent chooses them in return
Both parties meet virtually or in-person
Match is confirmed through agency
Legal costs: $4,000+
Birth mother (medical) expenses: $4,000+
DNA Testing: $500/father
Updates to pre-placement assessment: $650
(Other) Gifts to birth parent(s): ?
(Other) Travel expenses: ?
Matched and Official
Home Study #3 (post-adoption)
Home Study #4 (post-adoption)
Social Worker Mileage Reimbursement: ?
(Other) First month of baby: ?
Get In Touch
We’re excited to expand our family through open adoption. We’re hoping to connect with an expectant parent or recent birth parent. If you or someone you know if experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or is interested in adoption, get in touch. We’d love to hear your story.
JaredAndNicoleAdopt@gmail.com (email)
JaredAndNicoleAdopt (Instagram)
JaredAndNicoleAdopt (Facebook)
JaredAndNicoleAdopt (Pinterest)
JaredAndNicoleAdopt (Reddit)
JaredAndNicoleAdopt (Youtube)
JaredAndNicoleAdopt.com (Website)
JaredAndNicoleAdopt (GoFundMe)
or, contact our agency:
A Child’s Hope Adoption Agency | Unintended Pregnancy? (achildshope.com)
call toll-free 877-890-4673
or text “Pregnant” to 919-971-4396