Post Adoption Resources

The Adoption Process

If you are not currently certified as a foster/adoptive parent, Mission WV will be happy to help you get certified. You can inquire on our Mission WV website or call us at 304-562-0723.

If you are not a WV resident but interested in inquiring about a WV Youth, you must be certified with an agency in your state and have a supervising agency to be considered for placement. If you meet these criteria, please feel free to register on the Mission WV Adoption Resource Network and inquire about any youth. Please note, not all WV children are eligible for out of state placement. 

When you inquire about a youth the MWV Adoption Resource Exchange staff will notify the youth’s Department of Human Services worker and your Child Placing agency of your interest. 

Within 15 days of notification of your interest, the Department of Human Services worker will notify you If you are or are not being considered for the youth. 

If you are notified you are not being considered for the youth do not be disheartened. We encourage you to revisit the photo listing for other youth that could be a fit  for your family. 

Families with approved home studies who are identified as being appropriate family for the youth will be presented to the DoHS Placement Review Committee for consideration and placement recommendation. 

Pre-placement Visits will occur if you are being considered as placement for the youth. 

If the youth and family believe they are a good fit, then the placement day will occur, and the trial adoption will begin. The trial adoption usually lasts around six months. 

During the trial placement the worker and family will agree on the subsidy terms and a written agreement will be completed. The DoHS worker will complete the adoption packet in preparation for the final adoption hearing. During this time the family will obtain an attorney who will file the petition of adoption. 

The adoption hearing is when the adoption is legally finalized. It is a day to celebrate the adoption finalization and your youth being an official member of your family.