IT’S BEEN QUITE A JOURNEY ALREADY. YOU’VE HAD TOUGH CONVERSATIONS AND WRESTLED WITH YOUR PLANS. BUT NOW YOU’RE READY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADOPTION.

You want facts about adoption. You need to weigh the challenges,

the investment and the wait.

Take it from us: This child is worth it.

For over 130 years,

Gladney has operated

as a nonprofit helping

families tackle this

part of the journey.

So take a deep breath

and consider your

options. We understand

this is a big decision.

We also know adoption

creates a very special

kind of family. Gladney

wants you to know:

We’re here for you every step of the way.

PROGRAMSWhen you work with Gladney,

you become family. We've found that walking closely with our families is the best way to

serve our mission. We learn about the lives, circumstances and particular

hopes of everyone involved. Then, together, we make a plan.

But first, let's consider the possibilities.

D O M E S T I C I N F A N T N E W B E G I N N I N G S I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Many families choose to adopt an infant or toddler in the United States. That’s how Gladney got started in 1887, and our mission to find loving homes for all children continues today.You'll have a chance to meet your child's birth parents and get to know them.

You'll also receive important details about their medical and social history.

Through Gladney's Domestic Infant

program, you'll receive:

• a flexible adoption process

• help developing your family's profile

• guidance from experienced staff

• an expert legal team

• a support group with other adoptive parents

• parenting education

• your preferred level of confidentiality

• birth mother support

• post-adoption support

Eligible couples are:

• married for a minimum of two years

• open-minded about expectant mother backgrounds

• living in the United States

One parent must be a U.S. citizen.

DOMESTIC INFANT

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COMMON QUESTIONSHOW MUCH DOES THE DOMESTIC INFANT PROGRAM COST?

We know the financial aspects of adoption can feel overwhelming. When you partner with Gladney,

we offer counseling, resources and tools to help make the finances work for you. Adoption fees are

based on individual circumstances, and all our programs are subsidized by donors, many of whom

have walked this path before you. On our website, you will find the adoption fee calculator to help

determine your estimate. You also will learn about the federal adoption tax credit.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?

The adoption process varies by family because each adoption is a very personal experience.

Families who are proactive with their application process and who are open to diverse birth parent

backgrounds have a shorter waiting period than families who are slower with their application

and who are more selective with birth parent backgrounds. On average, once the application and

home study process are complete, you can expect to receive a placement between 12–18 months.

Along the way, we offer educational and social programs to help you feel prepared and supported

on this journey.

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Adopting an Infant or Toddler Domestically

1. FILL OUT A PRE-APPLICATION FORM ONLINE

We review pre-applications on a weekly basis, looking for the best opportunities

for timely, successful adoptions. Then we invite couples to orientation.

2. VISIT THE GLADNEY CAMPUS FOR ORIENTATION

During orientation, we walk you through the application, the finances and the legal

aspects of a Gladney adoption. We also highlight our post-adoption services and give you

a chance to hear from our courageous birth mothers and adoptive parents. If you’re ready

to move forward with your adoption at the end of the day, you’ll start the next step of

your journey by requesting an application.

3. COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION AND HOME STUDY

We’ll help you complete the application process, which includes paperwork, personal

references, medical history and a home study. You'll also assemble a profile book with

photos, stories and information best describing your family to our expectant mothers.

4. GET MATCHED AND MEET YOUR EXPECTANT PARENTS

After an expectant mother asks to be matched with you, your caseworker will

give you background details and the option to be matched with her. If you say yes,

you’ll usually meet the expectant mother face to face.

5. RECEIVE PLACEMENT OF YOUR CHILD

You'll usually receive placement a short time after the baby is born.

Gladney believes that every child deserves loving, caring families. Through the New Beginnings program, these families partner with Gladney to adopt children who are currently in state foster care or may have special needs.

Neither Gladney nor the Texas Department of Family and

Protective Services charges any fees to adopt a child in the

custody of Child Protective Services. The State of Texas

also offers ongoing financial assistance for eligible children,

including healthcare benefits, a monthly stipend and a

college tuition waiver to public universities in Texas.

Children available for adoption from foster care

in the New Beginnings program are typically:

• seven years of age and older

• sibling groups with children ranging

in ages of 5 and older

• culturally diverse

• medically fragile

Our New Beginnings program offers families:

• guidance from experienced staff

before and after adoption

• specialized parenting education

• post-adoption support

NEW BEGINNINGS:

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ADOPTING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

HOW MUCH DOES THE NEW BEGINNINGS PROGRAM COST?

Adopting a child in the state foster system requires no program fee. In addition, the state

provides a monthly stipend and college tuition for these adopted children, and Medicaid

pays for their medical expenses.

CAN WE ADOPT AN INFANT?

Most children available for adoption through this program are 5 years and up.

This is because children are in foster care on average for a total of 15–21 months

before they are even available for adoption.

CAN WE ADOPT A SINGLE CHILD FROM FOSTER CARE?

Yes, although there are more sibling groups in foster care that are awaiting adoption

than individual children.

COMMON QUESTIONS1 2 3

1. FILL OUT A PRE-APPLICATION FORM ONLINE

We review new applications weekly and invite couples into the program who are

most likely to complete a timely, successful adoption.

4. ATTEND PARENT-TRAINING COURSES

Key to the New Beginnings process, our training courses will help prepare you to bring

a toddler or an older child/children into your home. The state requires extensive training for

families adopting from foster care. Gladney offers the training in a concentrated program

to make it more convenient for our families.

2. ATTEND AN ORIENTATION

We schedule a time with you to discuss the details of our New Beginnings program

and answer your questions. When you’re ready to move forward, you’ll meet your

adoption team.

6. MEET YOUR CHILD AND FINALIZE YOUR ADOPTION

You will have at least three pre-placement visits, one of them being an overnight stay in your

home. After placement, you will remain in supervision with Gladney and CPS for six months.

Your adoption will then be finalized in court.

5. RECEIVE A MATCH

Child Protective Services selects the Forever Family for each child.You will review the child’s case file and meet with Child Protective Services (CPS), Child

Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and the foster family to discuss it. After reviewing

all available information about the child, you give your formal “yes” to adopting the child.

The CPS worker will tell the child about you and show the child your photo book.

Adopting a Child from Foster Care

3. COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION AND HOME STUDY

We’ll help you complete the application process, which includes paperwork, personal

references, medical history and a home study.

Always an adventure, international adoption gives you a unique opportunity to open your home to a child from outside the United States.International children enrich the lives of their adoptive families and

deepen their connection to foreign cultures and customs.

INTERNATIONAL

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The international program includes options to:

• adopt through a closed adoption system

• adopt later in life

• select a child's country or culture

• provide humanitarian aid

• receive post-adoption services

HOW MUCH DOES INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION COST?

For international adoptions, fees are determined by each country, based on the needs of the

children. In addition to these fees, adoptive parents pay for their own travel expenses and for the

costs associated with Gladney’s adoption services, such as the home study and training programs.

CAN WE CHOOSE THE CHILD'S GENDER?

Some countries allow adoptive parents to choose their child's gender. However, you can

significantly decrease the time it takes to be matched when you're flexible about gender.

HOW LONG DOES THE MATCHING PROCESS TAKE?

This depends on your flexibility. The more open you can be in your preferences — including age

range, gender and medical issues — the more quickly you can be matched.

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COMMON QUESTIONS

China Fees Colombia Fees Taiwan Fees

Adopting a Child Internationally

1. FILL OUT A PRE-APPLICATION FORM ONLINE

We review new applications weekly and invite couples into the program who

are most likely to complete a timely, successful adoption.

2. GO THROUGH ORIENTATION

We schedule a time with you to discuss the details of international adoption

and answer your questions. When you’re ready to begin the process,

you'll meet your caseworker.

4. SEND A FOREIGN DOSSIER TO YOUR CHILD’S COUNTRY

A dossier is a collection of legal documents that give foreign officials information they need

about your family. Each country’s requirements are a little different, and your caseworker

will help you complete your dossier with the correct information before sending it abroad.

3. COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION AND HOME STUDY

We’ll help you complete the application process, which includes paperwork, personal

references, medical history and a home study.

5. GET MATCHED, AND TRAVEL TO FINALIZE YOUR ADOPTION

Once you receive approval and your dossier is submitted in the country you are adopting

from, you will receive a referral. Each referral comes with a picture and medical information

about the child. A few weeks after you accept the referral you travel to meet your child.

GLADNEY EXISTS TO GIVE CHILDREN LOVING, CARING FAMILIES HERE AT HOME AND AROUND THE WORLD. THAT’S THE HEART OF OUR MISSION.Read adoption stories from our families at: AdoptionsByGladney.org/testimonials

Each new child brings unique strengths and needs to a family’s journey. So when you partner with Gladney, we walk with you for a lifetime. These are just a few of the many services Gladney offers.

PARENTING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES INFORMATION

We want to offer everything you need to thrive as a family. Our programs include support groups and

parenting education from Gladney University — before, during and after adoption. Most of these services

are free, and they extend far beyond those required by law or offered by most other agencies.

LEGAL SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE

Our team works to provide a smooth legal process for the child and everyone involved. We make sure your

paperwork is always complete and accurate by staying up to date on adoption laws at state and federal levels.

As an agency, we’re here to listen to you, answer your questions and address your concerns every step of the way.

POST-ADOPTION SERVICES

After you’ve adopted your child, you’ll always remain part of the Gladney family. Our tight-knit community

understands the joys and challenges of parenting a child. We work hard to stay on the forefront of adoption

research, education and networking. You can reach out to Gladney at any point in your parenting journey

for the latest information, support services and ongoing support groups.

SERVICES

We hope we’ve given you the information you need to move forward in growing your family. It takes a lot of faith to choose adoption, and you want to find a good fit

when selecting an agency or attorney to partner with on this important journey.

You can find more information on our website at: AdoptionsByGladney.org

Or you can email or call us at:

1-800-GLADNEY. . .

hello@gladney.org

6300 John Ryan Drive · Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122 · 817.922.6000 · gladney.org

TAX BENEFITS FOR ADOPTION Many potential adoptive parents are discovering that adopting a child can put a serious strain on family finances. Fortunately, the federal tax break offers some relief by way of a permanent tax credit. Credits are much more valuable than deductions because they come right off the top of your tax bill. There are two tax benefits available to offset the expenses of adopting a child. The benefits are the adoption tax credit and the exclusion from income of benefits under your employer’s adoption assistance program. Currently, the maximum adoption credit for 2018 is $13,840, subject to AGI phase out range of $203,540 thru $243,540. Parents who work for companies with an adoption assistance program also get a tax break. Parents can receive up to $13,840 in reimbursement from their employer for adoption expenses without paying taxes on the benefit. However, don’t double-dip. You can’t take a tax credit for expenses reimbursed by your company. Some important facts about the credit:

• Qualifying adoption expenses are reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling expenses (including amounts spent for meals and lodging) while away from home and other expenses directly related to, and whose principal purpose is for, the legal adoption of an eligible child.

• For domestic adoptions, you can claim the credit for adoption-related expenses in the year

after the year of payment or the year the adoption becomes final.

• For foreign adoptions, you can’t claim the credit until the year the adoption is finalized (see Rev. Proc. 2005-31).

For more detailed information on the tax benefits, please see instructions to Form 8839. Forms are available at www.irs.gov.

The Gladney Center is not qualified to give tax advice and families should contact their tax advisor concerning their individual tax returns.

6300 John Ryan Drive · Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122 · 817.922.6000 · gladney.org

Pre-Application Form

Please Note: This Pre-Application Form is an opportunity for you to share information about your family. This information will enable us to determine if one of our programs may meet your needs. A current family photo is required. The Pre-Application Form is available as an electronic form that you can complete and send on-line.

Secure On-line Form located at http://MyGladney.Com

Log in with the MyGladney username and password you created when you filled out your inquiry form. Complete and submit the Information Sheet form on-line. You will also receive instructions on uploading your family photo.

6300 John Ryan Drive · Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122 · 817.922.6000 · gladney.org

International Adoption - Hague Required Documents Acceptance of Adoption Risks, Limitation of Liability, and Alternative Dispute Resolution Complaint Process Explanation of Fees to Adoptive Parents Foreign Supervised Providers General Agreement Hague Country Statistics Rights and Responsibilities of the Agency Statement of International Adoption Risks