CHILDREN AVAILABLE: African American, Bi-Racial and Caucasian infants.
TERRITORY SERVED: Diocese of Baton Rouge, comprising the twelve civil parishes of Ascension, Assumption, E. Baton Rouge, W. Baton Rouge, E. Feliciana, W. Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, and Tangipahoa.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION:
1. Applicants of any religion, race or nationality/extraction may apply.
2. The recommended age for application is between the ages of 21 and 43.
3. If married, applicants must be in a legal marriage of at least three years’ duration.
4. Applicants must provide confirmation of spiritual commitment.
5. The preparation and assessment process includes submission of requested and required documentation, criminal and child abuse registry clearances, references, group training of a minimum of 10 hours and a home study, which includes individual, couple and family interviews as well as visits to the family’s home.
PROCEDURES:
• Email, write or telephone for information and a pre-application form.
• Completed pre-application is reviewed and acknowledged by the agency, then filed until eligible for group training program.
• Agency contacts eligible pre-applicants when ready to begin group training program. Training program fee is due at first session.
• Following completion of group training program, applicants complete formal application and submit with required documentation and home study fee.
• References and criminal records clearances are requested by Agency.
• Home study process continues, to include a minimum of four interviews and any further documentation or assessment recommended.
DOMESTIC ADOPTION PROGRAM RELATED COSTS (all are non-refundable):
• TRAINING PROGRAM FEE of $750.00 is due on or before the commencement of the training program (not required for second adoptions through Catholic Charities).
• APPLICATION FEE of $1,500.00 is paid with submission of the formal application.
• APPLICATION FEE of $750.00 is paid with submission of the formal application for a second adoption through the agency.
• HOME STUDY UPDATE FEE of $150.00 is due at the initial home study update meeting.
Note: A home study remains valid for two years from the initial date of approval. State regulations also require that a home study be updated by the agency one year after initial date of approval. Without a home study update, a new home study must be performed if placement does not occur within two years of the initial date of approval.
OTHER DOMESTIC ADOPTION PROGRAM RELATED COSTS (all are non-refundable):
• PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION FEE – At the discretion of the Department Director, upon consultation with the social worker completing the home study, a psychological evaluation may be necessary. This fee varies and is paid directly to the psychologist.
• ADOPTION PLACEMENT FEE – When a child is placed in the adoptive home, this fee is due. The fee is calculated as 16% of the family’s Taxable Income, per the US 1040 form, for the tax year immediately preceding the home study or update. The base fee is $4,000, with a cap of $16,000. The fee is due in full at the time of placement. The fee goes toward defraying the administrative and operating costs of the agency, including services and assistance to birthparents.
Taxable Income Percentage Fee Range
$25,001 – 30,000 16% $4,000 – 4,800
$30,001 – 35,000 16% $4,800 – 5,600
$35,001 – 40,000 16% $5,600 – 6,400
$40,001 – 45,000 16% $6,400 – 7,200
$45,001 – 50,000 16% $7,200 – 8,000
$50,001 – 55,000 16% $8,000 – 8,800
$55,001 – 60,000 16% $8,800 – 9,600
$60,001 – 65,000 16% $9,600 – 10,400
$65,001 – 70,000 16% $10,400 – 11,200
$70,001 – 75,000 16% $11,200 – 12,000
$75,001 – 80,000 16% $12,000 – 12,800
$80,001 – 85,000 16% $12,800 – 13,600
$85,001 – 90,000 16% $13,600 – 14,400
$90,001 – 95,000 16% $14,400 – 15,200
$95,001 – 100,000 16% $15,200 – 16,000
$100,000 and up $16,000
• COURT AND ATTORNEY FEES – When legal finalization of an adoption approaches, approximately $1,000, are due and payable directly to the attorney assigned by the agency.
PLEASE NOTE
• During the stage of pre-application, couples are free to explore other avenues for adoption. Once the training program and home study is complete and the couple indicates that they wish to work with Catholic Charities, this is considered a commitment to work exclusively with the agency.
• Applicants should be aware that there are waiting periods throughout the entire adoption process. Wait times for placement vary significantly due to a variety of factors, and there is little predictability to process.
• Depending upon the applicants’ overall financial situation, adjustments in the fees charged can be considered at the discretion of the agency.
