There are three different types of adoption:

        Through the Child Welfare System (foster care)

           • Children in foster care become available for adoption once their

             parental rights have been terminated. This includes children and youth

             listed on the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange.

              http://www.mare.org/ForFamilies/NewtoAdoption/FAQs.aspx

           • Cost of adoption covered primarily by the State of Michigan

        Domestic

           • Birth parent(s) work with a domestic adoption agency to find a

             family for their baby

           • Family is responsible for fees to complete homestudy and adoption

        International

           • Around the world there are children without parents waiting for a

             forever family

           • Family is responsible for fees to complete homestudy, adoption, travel

             and other in/out of country fees

PRAY, research all your options, interview staff and talk

to other families who have adopted or are in the process.

Once you decide what type of adoption your family

will pursue, the next step is to find an agency.

        Through the Child Welfare System

           • Options include the Department of Health and Human Services and

              numerous private child welfare agencies.

        Domestic

           • There are private adoption agencies in addition to some of the private

             child welfare agencies having departments that handle private domestic

             and international adoptions.

        International

           • It will be important to decide which country you want to adopt from

             and then choose one of the numerous international adoption agencies

             that have a good working relationship with that country.