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 There are children in Ohio and around the world who need loving families to care for and parent them. Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio (LSS) believes that it is the right of every child to grow up in a permanent home. Since 1969, LSS has united hundreds of children with loving families. Many parents who adopt through LSS return to adopt a second and third child.
To that end, the agency actively seeks and conscientiously evaluates families to provide permanent homes which can meet the needs of waiting children. Placement decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis according to the child’s best interest.
We have a genuine commitment to customer service, which makes Lutheran Social Services an exceptional adoption agency. We recognize the needs of each member of the adoption triad and the uniqueness of each adoptive family. You can be assured that a professional will address your adoption needs with expertise.
Our agency offers the following services to make the adoption process as smooth as possible:
Orientation
Pre-Service Training
Home Study Placement
Pre-Finalization
Finalization Post-Legalization
Birth Parent Counseling
LSS compassionately assists prospective adoptive parents through Domestic (including Black Adoption Services, Independent/Designated Adoption Services and Special Needs Adoption Services), and International Adoption Services.
Provides comprehensive services to families who are adopting children from other countries
Collaborates with many agencies including Lutheran Adoption Network to provide coordinated services. These partnerships enable LSS to provide adoption services in several countries including China, Russia and Columbia
Approved by the government of India to provide home study and post placement services to East Indian families adopting from their country of origin
 Provides home study, education, placement and post-placement services to families adopting African American infants and toddlers
Offers choice of interaction with birthparents during adoption
The state of Ohio defines children with special needs as:
Minority children of all ages
Sibling groups of two or more children
Children with physical or other disabilities
The majority of the children served in the special needs program are school age
Services are offered statewide. Single or married applicant, 18 years of age or older, may adopt through our special needs program.
At Lutheran Social Services, support does not have to end after your adoption is complete. LSS offers post adoption services to continue serving you and your family. Services include:
Assistance with a variety of issues through information and referral Assistance to families and individuals who have adopted through LSS
We hope this information is helpful to you as you begin consideration of adopting a child through Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio.
For more information, contact:
LSS Adoption Services
989 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43201-2456
(614) 421-3611
Or click here to request more information.
Adoption is simply the method by which adults become legal parents of children not born to them. Once the adoption is completed, the child is yours in every way, and is entitled to everything that a biological child would inherit.
Q: WHY/HOW DO CHILDREN BECOME AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION?
A: There are often many reasons for children becoming available for adoption. Three of the main factors are: parents who are unable to provide for their child and want to make a plan for their child to be adopted by a loving family who can provide for their child’s needs; the child/children have been neglected or abused and the court gives temporary custody to an agency; there is a problem in the family, such as mental illness, alcoholism or other problems that prevent the birth family from meeting their child’s needs. A court will sever parental rights and legally free the child for a nurturing adoptive family if the court decides the birthparents are unable to meet the child’s needs.
Q: WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTING?
A: Eligibility is determined through interviews with a social worker and considered on an individual basis. Basic eligibility requirements are:
Suitable living arrangements -You do not have to own your own home. You can live in an apartment or mobile home as long as you have sufficient space for another child. You simply have to show that you can provide a suitable home for a child.
Reasonably good health -The agency must be assured that you have a plan to raise the child to maturity. A medial examination and a report from your physician are required.
Adequate income -You do not need a large income or bank account. Economic circumstances should satisfactorily meet the needs of the family and the child. Subsidies are available for some children with special needs who are adopted by a family.
Age - Both single and married applicants age 18 and over may adopt. There are no specific religious or family size requirements.
Stable lifestyle - Parents, single or couples, are needed who are willing to love and care for a child as their own and accept the child as he or she is. If there are two parents, it is important that both parents want to adopt and that the home is a stable one.
Q: ARE THERE PARENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY ADOPTED WITH WHOM WE CAN TALK?
A: Yes, you can speak to either adoptive parent through our programs or through other support organizations.
Q: IS BACKGROUND INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON A CHILD? WHAT MAY I EXPECT?
A: One should expect information on the biological parents’ height, age, health and education; as well as information about the child’s placement, and medical and developmental history. If it is an older child, the information would be expanded to include his/her eating, sleeping and play habits, fears, relationships and all pertinent data. Sometimes other information will be shared based on the best interests of the child.
Q: MAY I TAKE A FOSTER CHILD INTO MY HOME AND THEN ADOPT HIM OR HER?
A: Sometimes. Foster care is sometimes temporary care. The child’s biological parents are often still involved. However, in some cases where foster children have been in the home for some years, foster parents are encouraged to adopt when an agency has taken permanent custody. When a permanent home is being sought for a school-age child or teenager, or a child with special needs, a foster placement may be made with the ultimate goal of adoption. Subsidies are available and considered on an individual basis.
Q: WHO CAN APPLY?
A: Couples or single persons who are childless or who already have children are eligible to adopt.
Q: HOW LONG WILL A FAMILY HAVE TO WAIT?
A: Birthparents usually prefer to choose the prospective adoptive family for their child; therefore, we cannot predict how long any family will wait for an adoptive placement.
Q: WILL THE ADOPTIVE FAMILY HAVE ANY CONTACT WITH THE BIRTH PARENTS?
A: Birthparents usually prefer to choose the level of openness for their adoption plan; therefore, the amount of contact varies from case to case. Some birthparents desire only a phone conversation with a prospective family; others desire a face-to-face meeting. Some may also request ongoing correspondence and photos of the child following an adoptive placement.
Q: HOW DOES A FAMILY APPLY TO ADOPT?
A: Families interested in adopting through this program can call LSS at (614) 421-3611 to set up an orientation interview or attend a monthly orientation session. If the family is interested in proceeding with adoption, they will receive an adoption application. All adoption applicants are required at their own expense to have a criminal records check through fingerprint impressions.
Q: WHAT IS THE ADOPTION PROCESS?
A: 1) Complete and return an adoption application.
2) LSS believes adoption education is an essential part of preparation for an adoption. All applicants will be asked to participate in the pre-service training offered by the agency.
3) A fee agreement will be sent to the prospective adoptive family to sign and return to LSS.
4) LSS will initiate a home study for the prospective family.
5) If the home study is approved, LSS will assist the prospective adoptive family in identifying waiting children available for adoption.
6) Pre-placement visits occur between the family and child (ren) prior to the adoptive placement in the family’s home.
7) Adoptive placement occurs.
8) LSS provides supportive post-placement services to the adoptive family until the legal adoption occurs, by law no sooner than six (6) months after placement.
9) LSS completes the report to the court for legalization of the adoption.
10) Post-legal adoption services are available from LSS as needed until the adoptee is an adult.
Q: WHAT DOES IT COST TO ADOPT?
A: Prospective adoptive families adopting through the Infant Adoption Service only pay LSS a $150.00 non-refundable application fee and $3,876.00 for the full adoption service. $1,428.00 is due prior to the completion of the home study. $1,224.00 is due at placement and the balance, $1,224.00, is due five (5) months after placement. Payment plans are available. If you have further questions, please call:
Adoption Assessor Ms. Cynthia Gruber, M.A., LSW cgruber@lssco.org
Adoption Assessor Ms. Marcia Kiggins, MA, LSW mkiggins@lssco.org
Birth Parent Counseling Program Ms. Linda Benson, BSSW, LSW lbenson@lssco.org
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