Furthermore, to reinforce this philosophy, a thorough adoptive applicant assessment must be completed before adoptive applicants are approved. Adoption is the legal and social process whereby the relationship of parent and child is created between persons not related by birth. All adoption services must be in compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare licenses the agency and all adoption services provided are in compliance with existing social service regulations as established by statute. An internal program providing for the placement of healthy infants with loving couples who have completed the adoptive assessment program.
Funding is derived from placement fees.
Adoptive couples must reside in Erie County, and must have sought medical consultation regarding infertility. Applicants are drawn from the Infant Adoption Waiting List that was closed to new applicants in March of 1991. If the couple's status remains the same as when they applied, i.e., still living in Erie County and still childless, they can be assessed for infant placement. The primary constraints of this program are the few infants available for adoption. The Infant Program also encompasses Search and Private Placement Homestudies.