(863) 701-8881
~ Fleur Conkling Heyliger
Not flesh of my flesh
Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously My own.
Never forget
For a single minute:
You didn't grow
under my heart
But in it.
Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously My own.
Never forget
For a single minute:
You didn't grow
under my heart
But in it.
KATE MARKLEY
C R E D E N T I A L S:
Member National
Association of
Social Workers
Association of
Social Workers
Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW
PhD • MSW
Academy of Certified Social Workers ACSW
Diplomate in Clinical Social Work DCSW
Diplomate in
Clinical Sexology
Clinical Sexology
LIC # SW0001597
Please use the scrollbar on the right to view the following information:
How long does it take to receive the child?
There are a variety of waiting periods dependent upon many factors. Generally, the average waiting period to be matched with a birth mother expecting a Caucasian child is 18-24 months. The waiting period for bi-racial and African-American children is typically shorter. Waiting time can be dramatically shorter or longer depending on individual situations and restrictions you have on the type of child you have selected.
What is a home study?
An investigation of your home and personal life that is used to verify if you are suitable to be an adoptive parent. Please visit the Home Study page for more information.
What information will I receive on the birth parents?
A lengthy family, social and medical history compiled by the birth mother, and sometimes the birth father. We also obtain medical records from the OB/GYN and the hospital, if possible. If requested, we can also obtain criminal records or other third party documents.
What information will the birth parents have about me?
Your birth mother letter and family profile. The birth parents may also ask additional questions which will be answered with your approval. It is not uncommon, for example, for a birth mother to want to know the first name you select for the baby.
What tests will be run on the birth mother?
We generally request HIV, drug screening, hepatitis and all the normal OB/GYN tests. You can usually ask for any other type of testing, excluding amniocentesis which the doctors will only perform for a medical reason. Sonograms are also routinely done.
What tests will be run on the baby?
Where indicated, we order HIV, drug screen, hepatitis and thyroid tests. If you request others, these can almost always be obtained.
What kind of contact will we have with the birth parents?
Whatever you agree. It is common for birth parents to want to speak to the adoptive parents on the phone, exchange letters and/or meet at lunch or the time of placement. Almost always, this contact is limited to pre-birth and the hospital period, although some birth mothers request a baby dedication or one-time meeting shortly after birth.
What should we say or not say when communicating with the birth parents?
You should focus on being yourselves, letting the birth parents get to know you and establish a comfort level. We want the birth parents to have concern and empathy for your situation, and for you to understand theirs. You should not be interrogative, ask for personal or confidential information or question medical history.
When will the consent for adoption be signed?
Pursuant to Florida law, the consent will be signed no sooner than 48 hours after delivery unless the birth mother is being discharged earlier by her doctor. With a c-section, the wait may be slightly longer as we must ensure that the birth mother is free of narcotic medication.
Can a birth parent change his/her mind once a consent for adoption is signed?
Pursuant to Florida law, a birth mother who executes a consent for adoption involving a child six months or younger, does not have a grace period in which to change her mind. The consent for adoption is permanent and irrevocable from the moment it is signed, and can only be overturned based on fraud or duress. However, in cases where the birth mother is placing a child older than six months, the birth mother has 3 business days to revoke her consent for any reason. Once this period passes, if the child has been placed with the adoptive parents, the consent can only be overturned based on fraud or duress. If placement of the child with the adoptive family has not occurred, the birth mother may revoke her consent even if she is outside the 3-day revocation period.
What rights do birth fathers have?
In Florida, if able, a birth father is required to provide financial support to a birth mother during her pregnancy to be able to interfere with her adoption decision. We attempt to locate and contact birth fathers to see if they will voluntarily cooperate with the adoption and sign a consent. For birth fathers who will not cooperate, the judge will determine if he provided the pre-birth support necessary to prevent adoption. Florida has a paternity registry that allows a termination of the rights of certain birth fathers who do not register timely. All placements are at-risk until the court terminates the birth parents' rights. This means you may have to return the child should termination not occur.
Will my insurance cover the baby?
Most insurance companies in Florida are mandated by law to provide coverage for an adopted child. Coverage can exist from the moment of birth if the adoptive family agreed to the placement prior to the child’s birth. Additionally, federal laws, including the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 "OBRA '93" (private employers) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 "HIPPA" (governmental employers), prohibit discrimination against adopted children. Therefore, health insurance coverage for adopted children is available to all families covered by group health plans at the time of placement, which is defined as the time when the adoptive family assumes financial responsibility for the child. Health insurance plans that are individual plans (not employer-sponsored) are not subject to federal regulation. If you are covered by an individual plan, you should check the laws of your state to determine your rights. We suggest that you contact your insurance company as soon as you have a match so that you can ensure your coverage is in place for the child's birth.
When will my adoption be finalized?
Florida law permits finalization once the 90 day post-placement supervision period has expired, however, the Petition for Adoption cannot be set for final hearing until 30 days after entry of the Final Judgment Terminating Parental Rights. Finalization generally occurs within five months after placement, but can be delayed by a birth parent's failure to cooperate or the court’s crowded docket. We will notify you when your final hearing is set.
What is post-placement supervision?
Florida law requires monthly post-placement supervision visits for a minimum of 90 days, and this is usually done by the individual or entity that did your home study. If additional visits are needed, you will be notified. Please be sure to notify them when you receive a placement.
When can I obtain a birth certificate?
We apply for the birth certificate after finalization of the adoption, and it usually takes 4-6 weeks thereafter to obtain.
When can I obtain a social security card?
Not until the adoption is finalized and you receive the birth certificate. You can then apply for one at your local office.
Information found at www.floridaadoptionagency.com
How long does it take to receive the child?
There are a variety of waiting periods dependent upon many factors. Generally, the average waiting period to be matched with a birth mother expecting a Caucasian child is 18-24 months. The waiting period for bi-racial and African-American children is typically shorter. Waiting time can be dramatically shorter or longer depending on individual situations and restrictions you have on the type of child you have selected.
What is a home study?
An investigation of your home and personal life that is used to verify if you are suitable to be an adoptive parent. Please visit the Home Study page for more information.
What information will I receive on the birth parents?
A lengthy family, social and medical history compiled by the birth mother, and sometimes the birth father. We also obtain medical records from the OB/GYN and the hospital, if possible. If requested, we can also obtain criminal records or other third party documents.
What information will the birth parents have about me?
Your birth mother letter and family profile. The birth parents may also ask additional questions which will be answered with your approval. It is not uncommon, for example, for a birth mother to want to know the first name you select for the baby.
What tests will be run on the birth mother?
We generally request HIV, drug screening, hepatitis and all the normal OB/GYN tests. You can usually ask for any other type of testing, excluding amniocentesis which the doctors will only perform for a medical reason. Sonograms are also routinely done.
What tests will be run on the baby?
Where indicated, we order HIV, drug screen, hepatitis and thyroid tests. If you request others, these can almost always be obtained.
What kind of contact will we have with the birth parents?
Whatever you agree. It is common for birth parents to want to speak to the adoptive parents on the phone, exchange letters and/or meet at lunch or the time of placement. Almost always, this contact is limited to pre-birth and the hospital period, although some birth mothers request a baby dedication or one-time meeting shortly after birth.
What should we say or not say when communicating with the birth parents?
You should focus on being yourselves, letting the birth parents get to know you and establish a comfort level. We want the birth parents to have concern and empathy for your situation, and for you to understand theirs. You should not be interrogative, ask for personal or confidential information or question medical history.
When will the consent for adoption be signed?
Pursuant to Florida law, the consent will be signed no sooner than 48 hours after delivery unless the birth mother is being discharged earlier by her doctor. With a c-section, the wait may be slightly longer as we must ensure that the birth mother is free of narcotic medication.
Can a birth parent change his/her mind once a consent for adoption is signed?
Pursuant to Florida law, a birth mother who executes a consent for adoption involving a child six months or younger, does not have a grace period in which to change her mind. The consent for adoption is permanent and irrevocable from the moment it is signed, and can only be overturned based on fraud or duress. However, in cases where the birth mother is placing a child older than six months, the birth mother has 3 business days to revoke her consent for any reason. Once this period passes, if the child has been placed with the adoptive parents, the consent can only be overturned based on fraud or duress. If placement of the child with the adoptive family has not occurred, the birth mother may revoke her consent even if she is outside the 3-day revocation period.
What rights do birth fathers have?
In Florida, if able, a birth father is required to provide financial support to a birth mother during her pregnancy to be able to interfere with her adoption decision. We attempt to locate and contact birth fathers to see if they will voluntarily cooperate with the adoption and sign a consent. For birth fathers who will not cooperate, the judge will determine if he provided the pre-birth support necessary to prevent adoption. Florida has a paternity registry that allows a termination of the rights of certain birth fathers who do not register timely. All placements are at-risk until the court terminates the birth parents' rights. This means you may have to return the child should termination not occur.
Will my insurance cover the baby?
Most insurance companies in Florida are mandated by law to provide coverage for an adopted child. Coverage can exist from the moment of birth if the adoptive family agreed to the placement prior to the child’s birth. Additionally, federal laws, including the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 "OBRA '93" (private employers) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 "HIPPA" (governmental employers), prohibit discrimination against adopted children. Therefore, health insurance coverage for adopted children is available to all families covered by group health plans at the time of placement, which is defined as the time when the adoptive family assumes financial responsibility for the child. Health insurance plans that are individual plans (not employer-sponsored) are not subject to federal regulation. If you are covered by an individual plan, you should check the laws of your state to determine your rights. We suggest that you contact your insurance company as soon as you have a match so that you can ensure your coverage is in place for the child's birth.
When will my adoption be finalized?
Florida law permits finalization once the 90 day post-placement supervision period has expired, however, the Petition for Adoption cannot be set for final hearing until 30 days after entry of the Final Judgment Terminating Parental Rights. Finalization generally occurs within five months after placement, but can be delayed by a birth parent's failure to cooperate or the court’s crowded docket. We will notify you when your final hearing is set.
What is post-placement supervision?
Florida law requires monthly post-placement supervision visits for a minimum of 90 days, and this is usually done by the individual or entity that did your home study. If additional visits are needed, you will be notified. Please be sure to notify them when you receive a placement.
When can I obtain a birth certificate?
We apply for the birth certificate after finalization of the adoption, and it usually takes 4-6 weeks thereafter to obtain.
When can I obtain a social security card?
Not until the adoption is finalized and you receive the birth certificate. You can then apply for one at your local office.
Information found at www.floridaadoptionagency.com
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