The JOH staff strives to develop a close, trusting relationship with the expecting parents in the program, and meet as many of their pregnancy related needs as is possible. The agency can assist with rent, food, maternity clothes, medical bills and any other pregnancy-related necessities. A drug and HIV screen is completed during the pregnancy if at all possible. Another screen for drugs is often completed on the baby at the hospital as part of hospital policy.

Counseling to discuss options, the grief process, and other issues that may be pertinent to the birth parent's specific situation is available to all and will be encouraged before and after the birth.

Oregon Adoption Law

Oregon adoption laws are among the most progressive in the United States and are strongly protective of the adoptive parents. It is not necessary to have the birth father's signature to complete the adoption if he is not married to the birth mother nor has not supported her throughout the pregnancy. Oregon birth mothers usually sign legal documents about 24 hours after the birth or close to discharge from the hospital.  Once the adopting family has custody of the baby and the birth mother has signed the legal documents the adoption is irrevocable.

However, if the birth mother changes her mind after the adoption has taken place and takes court action, the Oregon courts may explore the legality of the adoption for up to one year after finalization. The birth mother has to prove fraud or duress during the adoption process in order to prevail. The birth father may also take court action up to one year finalization, under the same conditions. Families, even those from other states, must finalize in Oregon because of the protective nature of these laws.

Washington Adoption Law

Birth parents are able to sign legal paperwork prior to the birth of the child and their rights are terminated 48 hours after the birth of the child. The birth father must be notified of the adoption plans and he has 30 days to come forward to take steps to prevent the adoption.

Illinois Adoption Law

The birth mother cannot sign legal documents until 72 hours after the birth. During that time the baby can be placed with a foster family, or with the adopting parents. The birth father must be notified and he has 30 days to come forward and take steps to prevent the adoption.

Interstate Compact

Interstate Compact, which is a review of the adoption documents and jurisdiction, between the sending state and the home state of the adopting parents, usually takes 5-10 working days to complete. Out of state families should count on at least 10-day stay in the sending state if everything goes well.  However, if adopting parents arrive early before the birth and Interstate Compact takes longer than usual due to complicating factors the stay can be longer.

Additional Information

JOH staff will also gather information about the medical and mental health history of the expecting mother's family. The accuracy of this information will vary depending upon the expecting mother's knowledge of her family. There may be no information available about the expecting father.

Families will need to send JOH their approved home study or have one completed by JOH-Oregon, JOH-Illinois, JOH-Washington if the family resides in any of these states. Families also need to complete a portfolio that will be shown to expecting mothers considering families. JOH has good instructions for putting together a successful portfolio but must review the draft copy.  Suggestions may be made and changes should be made. Staff will want fifteen copies of the portfolio (five for each office) because they are not always received back from expecting parents. Families may be asked to replenish the supply, as necessary. Expecting mothers almost always choose the adopting family and start a relationship with them during the pregnancy.

Open Adoption

JOH believes that open adoption is the healthiest arrangement for the child.  This belief comes from many sources including pleased children, families and birth parents who are actively involved in open adoptions and knowing the grief of many children who will never know their birth parents.  It is encouraged with all expecting parents and in 2008 over 90% chose an open adoption arrangement.  Therefore, it is necessary that all adoptive parents who apply to the program feel comfortable with and are willing to be in an open adoption.   JOH staff educates expecting parents that all adopting parents enrolled in the domestic program desire and are willing to be in a lifelong relationship with them, all for the good of the child.

JOH staff are pleased to talk with adopting parent(s) about open adoption and we recommend reading “Making Room In Our Hearts,” by Micky Duxbury for more information on this arrangement.

Open adoption does includes visits with the child and the birth parents and should not be viewed as something the adopting parents have to do in order to be in the program.  Instead it should be seen as a positive arrangement put in place to benefit the child and one that the adopting parents look forward to being involved in.

Adoption agreements between birth parents and the adopting parents are legally binding in many states and must be adhered to by the adopting family.

It is anticipated that this program will place babies, toddlers and older children who may be Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian or full or part African-American.  JOH is looking for families who can help the child achieve and maintain an ethnic identity if adopting across racial lines.

Adopting parents who enroll in the program will fill out paperwork allowing JOH staff to assess whether the program will meet their needs.  We are looking for adoptive parents that are open to more that just a full Caucasian child, willing to have an open adoption with the birthparents, and open to exploring the possibility of minimal drug exposure in-utero.  After an in-person or over-the-phone interview, the family will be notified about their status in the program. There are no guarantees that a family will be chosen by expecting parents, and no time frames can be predicted.

For more information please call (503) 681-3075 Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM or email info@journeysoftheheart.net

Say Hello to Joseph!  Says Joseph's Mother: "This was his first year playing football, and they called him "Mr. Small Yet Mighty".  Joseph played both offense & defense, and was know for not letting anyone through the line that he was guarding, despite the fact that they were 2x his size.   He spent 2 weeks this summer, volunteering in the local Youth Volunteer Program, working in 110 degree heat, making trails, clearing brush etc.  He also plays saxophone in the 7th grade band.  Previous years he volunteered on Saturdays at Heartland Humane Society.   Joseph has 2 bearded dragons as pets, and his Boston Terrier "Sheba," along with our family cats George & Jackson, and dogs Busta Clyde (boxer), Mei Ling (Chinese Shar Pei) & Tai Long (Chinese Shar Pei) ." Joseph came home to his forever family through the Journeys of the Heart Domestic Child Adoption Program.

For more information on this program please call or email: info@journeysoftheheart.net Susan@journeysoftheheart.net   Families Telephone 503-681-3075 9 AM - 5 PM Pacific Time, Weekdays   More contact information please click here

A special service for families in our Domestic Program: Photolistings and Family letters.  Families in our Domestic Program may choose to submit content for the web: pictures and letters to potential Birth Mothers.    You can find an example by clicking here.   Photolistings and Family Letters are posted to all four of our sites, where Birth Mothers from all the across the United States can view and get to know you better, any time night or day.  We find this to be a power family-building tool  Please Click Here to read testimonials from our families.

Testimonial Updates: See What Our Families Are Saying

New: Why Domestic Families Should Choose Journeys Of The Heart

Click here to see a short video- About a baby, just home. (large file, broadband recommended)

In the News: Why choosing an ethical agency is important.  Please click here.

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Get the most up to date information on our INTERNATIONAL or DOMESTIC Child Adoption Programs emailed to you, including fees, timelines, and new programs!  Learn more click here. Learn more- About program fees, for all programs - Please click here. Want to find out more at a free, two hour seminar?  Learn more, click here, including information- About regular seminars in Oregon, Washington, Illinois, and Hawaii.  Come and meet staff and families.

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