Children's Aid Society is a private, non-profit adoption and child welfare agency established in 1910. We are licensed by the State of Utah to provide adoption services, and we have a long history of expertise in ethical infant adoption.  We provide services for people of all races and religious backgrounds.

LIFELONG SUPPORT: We provide lifelong support and counseling to adoptive families, adoptees, and birth families.

ELIGIBILTY: Couples who are Utah residents, have been married at least two years, are unable to bear children due to impaired fertility or other physical factors, and have no more than one child. Couples with children from previous marriages are considered on an individual basis.

PROCESS:
1. Adoption Inquiry: Return the Adoption Inquiry form if you are interested in learning more about working with our agency.  You will be contacted soon after we receive your completed inquiry form.  If no openings are available on our register, we will notify you accordingly.

2. Orientation:   If an opening is available, our Clinical Director Shelley Riley, CSW will contact you to set an appointment for a one-on-one orientation.  The adoption process will be discussed with you in detail, and an application will be available at this orientation.

3. Application:  The application includes medical reports, references, financial statement, proof of income and insurance, and criminal/child abuse background screening application.

4. Pre-Adoption Evaluation (Home Study): After the application is complete, a caseworker from CAS will conduct interviews for the Pre-Adoption Evaluation.

5. Adoption Register: Upon completion of the Pre-Adoption Evaluation, approval by the adoption committee, and payment of the Pre-Placement Fee you will be placed on our register.  You will prepare profiles consisting of photos, self-descriptions and birth parent letters to be shown to birth parents. Adoptive applicants may establish their level of openness.

6. Educational Requirements: You are welcome to begin attending our classes at any time, even if you have not applied to CAS.  Adoptive applicants will complete our six-part Adoption Education Course prior to finalization of their adoption.

7. Placement:  Placement usually occurs upon the baby's discharge from the hospital.  

8. Post-Adoption Evaluation Visits: Your caseworker will make three Post-Adoption Evaluation visits with you and your child prior to finalization.

9.Finalization: Utah law requires a six-month waiting period between placement and finalization. Your CAS caseworker will accompany you at the finalization hearing.

BIRTH PARENT COUNSELING: State Licensed Social workers provide birth parents with extensive counseling and assistance in obtaining quality prenatal care and other needed resources.

2007 FEES:
Children’s Aid Society assesses a flat Adoption Placement Fee. Review the current fee schedule.

OTHER SERVICES: 

DESIGNATED ADOPTION SERVICES  are available to adoptive parents and birth parents who have selected each other through other means but desire an agency adoption

PRE-ADOPTION EVALUATION and POST-ADOPTION EVALUATION SERVICES are available to families seeking to adopt through other sources. Contact CAS for further information.

INTERNATIONAL PRE-ADOPTION AND POST ADOPTION EVALUATION SERVICES are available if you are pursuing an adoption through an International Adoption Agency.

For more information please read our Frequently Asked Questions.