Other Services
Free Counseling
The agency offers free counseling for families and young pregnant women to help in planning for an unexpected baby, whether that plan includes raising the baby with an adoptive family. Our caring staff is committed to helping people make informed decisions and is sensitive to the needs of everyone involved. After the baby is born, support and counseling continue to be available as needed.
Home Study Program
Florence Crittenton League of Lowell provides a Massachusetts home study and post-placement supervision for couples/singles adopting through in-state and out -of-state agencies. we strive to ensure that our home study program provides a comfortable, positive learning experience for its participants and that children are placed in loving homes.
Home Study Process For Adoptive Parents
This home study consists of a group informational meeting, (not a requirement), a joint in office interview with both prospective parents, individual interview or interviews with each prospective adoptive parent and a visit to their home with both prospective parents present. More individual interviews may be conducted if so indicated.
In the informational meeting we discuss the adoptive process, the kinds of children available, the sources of these children, the home study, the adoptive parents rights and responsibilities and the agency's services.
A completed application is filed, three personal references are contacted by mail, a doctor's report on each person and in infertility report is requested. The purpose of the home study is to get to know the couple better and to help them to decide if adoption is an appropriate step for them to take. Other issues discussed in an application for an Overseas child are the obvious differences in the child's appearance, social problems they may encounter later in life, health problems, neighbor and family reaction to a "different child", etc.
In the individual interviews background information is obtained in an effort to understand the person better, and to have a sense of how they grew up.
Format of Home Study
Identifying Data: Physical description, ethnicity, education, religion, present employment. Insurance, health, other children and marriage verification.
Background Information on Adoptive Father and Mother: Parents, relationship with siblings, recent contact with family, interests, hobbies.
Marriage: How they met, what attracted them to each other, how they spend their leisure time and an evaluation of their interactions.
Finances: Income, debts, etc. Although we encourage adoptive mothers (or fathers) to take some time off to be home with a new child, we cannot require any length of time off due to the economy.
Legal Requirements: Making sure all the legal requirements have been met.
Living Arrangements: Description of home, neighborhood, room for baby, etc.
Physical Requirements For Adoptive Homes
- 1. The adoptive family home shall be clean, safe, free of obvious fire and other hazards, and of sufficient size to accommodate comfortably all members of the household.
- 2. The adoptive family home shall have adequate lighting and ventilation, hot and cold running water supply, plumbing, electricity, and heat.
- 3. The adoptive family home shall have sufficient furniture to allow each child to sleep in a separate bed and to have adequate storage space for the child's personal belongings.
- 4. The adoptive family home shall be equipped with smoke detectors in working order.
- 5. If the adoptive family home uses well water, it shall be tested and determined to be safe, and a report of the test furnished to the licensee.
The summary includes a description of each person's personality and involvement in the adoption process.
We do not require a written autobiography, but prefer to hear your story during the home study process.
Adoption Services
Our agency's staff offers both birth and adoptive couples/singles the opportunity to discuss and evaluate our current adoption programs. Here at Florence Crittenton you can explore and compare different kinds of adoption:
Identified and Traditional
Birth Parents can take part in choosing prospective adoptive couples for their baby and can meet the prospective couples if desired. In addition, we offer assistance with birth costs and living expenses.
Overseas Programs
Florence Crittenton works with a number of orphanages in other countries to facilitate the adoption availability of children from other countries. Since these programs are subject to change, please check with our agency for a comprehensive list of overseas programs and related costs.
Adoptee Service & Assistance
To support the agency's belief that, if desired, one should be able to search for one's family, we offer information and support services to adult adoptees searching for birth family members. Our staff is sensitive to the people and issues involved and is skilled in helping adult adoptees throughout and beyond the search process.
Free Temporary Foster Care
Temporary foster care is available from our caring, supportive foster parents. Their patience and understanding go a long way in providing a loving, supportive home for babies and children in need of temporary care.
Educational Forums
We offer support and information through planned meetings held twice a year. The meetings are conducted by the agency's board of directors and professional staff in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Expert speakers and an experienced panel are selected to address appropriate issues, and the meetings are open to anyone interested in Florence Crittenton's services and support. Perhaps you are just seeking information, or are looking for an opportunity to network with others. In any regard, we welcome your inquiries and invites you to join our group.
To apply to F.C.L. call (978) 452-9671 from Monday to Friday 9:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
