"I want to adopt a child.

Can you tell me how to get started?"

(…“It’s as easy as A B C !”)

Send in your Seedlings Application and Contract and corresponding fee so we can schedule a social worker to begin your home study process!
Begin to collect your program-required documents (See country-specific program sections of booklet) or if you are adopting independently or are a home study only family, please collect the NJ State required documents listed below.
Obtain US CIS Form I-600A at: http://www.uscis.gov (forms line link). Fill out, add copies of required substantiating documents, filing fee, and send to your local CIS office. The address of the NJ CIS office is:

970 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(Att: Adoption Div., 13th floor.)

Or, if you’d prefer to come in to discuss our adoption programs with a social worker or attend a Seedlings’ informational program, please call the office to schedule an appointment at: 973-541-4888.

All adoptive applicants must have a home study completed by a licensed adoption agency in their state of residence. Seedlings prefers to have our own licensed social workers perform home studies for our NJ and NY families. Out-of-state families and families living abroad will be given guidelines for preparation of their home study. A home study typically involves several meetings between the family and agency social worker at the family's home and at the agency. The social worker’s task in completing a home study report is to determine the adoptive applicants’ capacity and readiness to accept, raise, and nurture a child who joins the family by adoption. An adoptive family must be emotionally, physically, and financially ready, realistic and flexible in their expectations regarding parenting their child, and able to differentiate their needs from those of a child.

Adoption education and parent preparation are very important. Adoptive parents will be made aware of issues that can affect adopted children and adults throughout their lives. Parents adopting internationally are encouraged to explore issues related to trans-cultural adoption and post-institutionalization, as well. During the home study process and subsequent waiting period prior to referral, Seedlings families are required to attend at least three adoptive parenting information sessions. On-line and other training is required, as well. Out-of-state families and those who are unable to attend Seedlings’ sessions may attend other adoptive parent training programs with comparable content and must supply proof thereof.

The determination of an adoptive parent's emotional, physical, and financial capacity to adopt and raise a child is made through in-person interviews, a review of documents that concretely substantiate the family's preparedness, and completed federal, state and local criminal background checks and child abuse registry investigation. (NOTE: Presenting false or misleading information may result in rejection by this agency.) The home study process is a time for learning and growing and preparing for the most important event in your life --PARENTHOOD!

You will be notified by US CIS when you need to report for fingerprinting generally after your home study has been sent to them. When you have been approved by US CIS, they will issue you a document called “I-171H (Advanced Processing Orphan Petition Approval). This document of approval is necessary for anyone adopting a child from any country other than the US and gives your child “Immediate Relative” status.

Note:You don’t need your program-related or NJ required substantiating documents to begin the home study process; but you will need to obtain them by your second visit with your social worker in order for your home study narrative report to be completed in a timely fashion.) Out-of-state applicants should give the name and address of their home study agency to Seedlings early in their adoption process so we can work collaboratively on their behalf.

NJ State-required documents are the following:

Birth Certificate for each adoptive parent
Marriage License, if applicable
Divorce Decree(s) or Death Certificate of spouse, if applicable
Physician's report for each household member. (Adoptive parents must use form in Seedlings' packet.)
Three personal reference letters from: a neighbor, a friend of 5+ years, and another character reference
Employer's recommendation stating your position, annual salary, and # of years with the company.
Copy of adoptive parents’ most recent Federal income tax return
Financial Statement for adoptive parents (In packet)
Police clearance letter from your local police department for each adult in household. (In packet.)
Child Abuse Registry (C.A.R.I.) form for each adult household member. (Seedlings will supply form.)
State and FBI fingerprint clearance for all adults in household. (Seedlings will supply clearance forms. These fingerprint clearances are done in addition to your clearance through CIS.
Copy of each applicant’s passport (int’l. adoption applicants only)

Agency Location, Staff, and Residency Requirements

Seedlings, Inc. has been located in Morris County, NJ since 1990. We moved from Whippany, NJ, to 1280 Rt. 46, Parsippany, NJ 07054 on November 1, 2006 in order to accommodate our growing need for space. You may reach us by telephone at 973-541-4888, fax at 973-541-4884 or by e-mail at Info@SeedlingsAdoptions.Org. Seedlings has an Executive Director, Social Work Supervisor, Office Manager and office assistant in the office full time. We also have seven contract social workers and are assisted with our international programs by our Latin American liaison and liaison to the China Center of Adoption Affairs. International support is provided by our experienced, licensed professionals abroad and our travel coordinator. Seedlings can provide home study services for anyone residing in the State of New Jersey and the five boroughs of New York and the Westchester, NY area. We can provide adoption services to single adults or married couples who are US citizens residing in any state or US citizens living abroad.

New Jersey State Criminal Clearances

Seedlings is required to process Child Abuse Registry, Sagem Morpho (State and FBI) and local police clearances for all adoptive applicant s (and all other adults living in the Home|Home). We do not charge a fee for this service, however, authorities in charge of processing these clearances do charge processing fees to complete your clearances. Out-of-state families must complete local, state, FBI and CARI clearances in their state of residence. If some of these procedures are not done in your state of residence, we are mandated to process your clearances in New Jersey.

Non-Discrimination Policy

This agency will not discriminate against any client with regard to the provision of any adoption-related services on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, marital status, or employment status with regard to the selection of adoptive parents for any child. However, these factors may be considered pursuant to N.J.S.A. 9:3-40 in determining whether the best interests of a child would be served by a particular placement for adoption or by finalization of an adoption; or in accordance with international adoption laws that may take precedence over NJ State regulations in regard to the referral and placement of a child.

Information to Birth Parents and Adoptive Applicants

This agency is certified by the Office of Licensing of the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services pursuant to NJ State Adoption Law (NJSA 9:3-37, et. Seq.) This Agency is required by law to comply with all applicable requirements of NJ DYFS (NJAC 10:121A3.4) This agency shall make a current copy of the Manual of Requirements for Adoption Agencies available for review by the parents of children served by Seedlings. Any parents who believe or suspect that Seedlings is in violation of any requirements of the Manual of Requirements for Adoption Agencies may report such alleged violations to the Bureau of Licensing. Any parents may secure a copy of the Manual of Requirements for Adoption Agencies by contacting the Office of Licensing, Division of Youth and Family Services by calling: 609-987-1985. The Office of Licensing will charge a nominal fee for the manual, in keeping with Department policy.

When so requested by parents of children served by the agency, the agency shall make available for review the Office of Licensing’s certification records and any Inspection or Violation Reports on the agency, except for those records prohibited from disclosure pursuant to the State Child Abuse and Neglect Law (NJSA 9:6-8.10(a) and to any other laws prohibiting such disclosure. Any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child being served by the agency has been and/or is subjected to any form of child abuse or neglect or exploitation by any person, whether working at the agency or not, shall report such allegations to the Division of Youth and Family Services Office of Child Abuse Control toll-free at: 1-877-652-2873, pursuant to the state Child Abuse and Neglect Law (NJSA9:608.1 et. Seq.) Parents may secure information about child abuse and neglect by contacting the Office of Community Education, DYFS.

The agency shall cooperate with the adoptive parents and/or attorney retained by the adoptive parents in providing financial information needed for the finalization report, pursuant to the State Adoption Law (NJSA 9:3-37 et. Seq.) When a child has been identified by the agency as having a handicapping condition or suspected handicapping condition and services have not been arranged, the agency shall inform the parents of available services and shall refer the parent(s) to:

NJDHS Early Intervention Program (“Project Child Find”) for location of developmental screening programs statewide at: 1-800-322-8174.
International Adoption Medical Experts: (a) Dr. Jeri Ann Juniata, Editor, Adoption Medical News, Ann Arbor, MI: 313-668-9492; (b) Dr. Elizabeth Baorto, Int'l. Adoption Clinic, Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, NJ: 973-971-6329; (c) Dr. Jane Aronson, 151 E. 62nd. St., NY, NY, 212-207-6666.