Domestic Adoption


Traditional Domestic Adoption
Families approved for this program are selected by the birthfamilies who are counseling with Bethany social workers. Specifically, they are selected by the birthfamilies by means of a "profile" book created by the prospective adoptive families, including pictures and a birthparent letter as a means of introduction. This program opens and closes according to the number of families represented at any given time. Bethany New England's goal is to have approximately twenty families in waiting. When a family has been selected, we then open the program to replace with one which is similar in background. This, therefore, means that any prospective family could be waiting for an unknown length of time. On the average, we have been able to indicate to interested families that the waiting time could be up to three years.

Independent Domestic Adoption
Prospective adoptive families sometimes elect to work with an out-of-state non-Bethany child placement facility for the purpose of identifying a child for them. In this case they will require a licensed adoption agency in-state to complete their Adoptive Family Assessment, process the legal requirements, facilitate Interstate Compact requirements, and provide post-placement services in order to complete the adoption process. Bethany New England is open to working with such families.

Identified Domestic Adoption
Some prospective adoptive families come to Bethany, having identified (or been identified by) a birth family who are considering placing their expected child with them. The family will require a licensed adoption agency in-state to complete their Adoptive Family Assessment, provide counseling and support to the birth family, process the legal requirements, and provide post-placement services in order to complete the adoption process. Bethany New England is open to working with such families.


Bethany Christian Services of New England has offices located in North Andover, Massachusetts; Warwick, Rhode Island; Candia, New Hampshire; and Vermont. If you have questions or would like more information about these and other services, please contact us.