Step by Step Adoption Process:

Step 1: Initial Inquiry

1. Submit an initial inquiry form including statements of faith to Spirit of Faith Adoptions.

2. A recommendation letter from your pastor is also required.

Step 2: Application Determination

3. Families will be notified of the determination of your inquiry by the Administrator within 30 days. An Ohio Adoption Application form will be provided to all families admitted into the program.  

Step 3: Paperwork

4. Families will receive instructions regarding required paperwork for your adoption file.

Step 4: Orientation and Training

5. Attendance at one Orientation meeting at the Spirit of Faith office in Sylvania, Ohio is required of every applicant of the Domestic Infant Program.  Pre-Service adoption training is a requirement for all families completing an Ohio home study. Training specific to the Domestic Infant Program training will be provided during the Orientation meeting and through on-line training coursework. Families pursuing international adoption will complete Hague approved coursework via an on-line training component and through discussions during the home study assessment process.

6. Pre-Service adoption training is a requirement for all families completing an Ohio home study. Training specific to the Domestic Infant Program training will be provided during the Orientation meeting and through on-line training coursework. Families pursuing international adoption will complete Hague approved coursework via an on-line training component and through discussions during the home study assessment process.

Step 5: Home Study Review

7. Completed files and home studies will be reviewed by the Director. 

8. Families will receive written notification of their status. 

9. Families with approved domestic home studies will submit a photo profile to Spirit of Faith Adoptions. They are also able to post a photo and a autobiographical introduction paragraph on the Spirit of Faith Adoptions’ website under “Family Profiles”. 

10. Approved international home studies will be forwarded to the placement agencies upon request.

Step 6: Matching and Placement

11. In the Domestic Infant program, birth parents will meet with the Birth Parent Coordinator and view photo profiles. 

12. While waiting, all adoptive families will receive monthly updates. 

13. Spirit of Faith Adoptions will oversee all aspects of the adoptive planning and placement in Ohio. For International adoptive placements, Spirit of Faith will collaborate with the placing agency on your behalf during the process.

14. Home visits will be scheduled to occur in the adoptive families’ homes as mandated by the state of Ohio and/or the adopted child’s country of origin.

Step 7: Home Study Update

15. Approved Ohio home studies remain valid as long as they are updated once every 2 years. Spirit of Faith Adoptions will notify families when an update is due.