1. The biggest task that an adoption social worker does for adopting families is matching the children. Not every child will fit into every family. Adoption social workers will help you find the child that best fits your family through matching. Matching includes studying the child’s background and needs and studying the family’s needs to ensure that the family that is chosen is the best fit for the child.
2. The next task that the adoption social worker will do is to provide pre-adoptive education to help prepare you for both first-time parenting and parenting children from hard beginnings. They will facilitate workshops that cover a wide range of topics such as grief and loss, attachment, the effects of institutionalization, transracial parenting, cross-cultural issues, and open adoption. Most agencies will require that you complete a set amount of pre-adoptive education and show proof of that completion.
3. The third task that an adoption social worker will do is provide post-adoption support. Social workers are an important part of the child’s life and the family’s life. Many children will come with a host of medical issues, neurological, emotional and behavioral problems that require specialized parenting and educational strategies. Some social workers offer their own counseling services. 

I hope that you feel more relaxed now that you know about the support services available to you through your adoption social worker. Take advantage of these services so that you can be the best parent to your child.

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1. Adoptive parents. The first expert you need is an adoptive parent. Before making the decision to adopt, it is important for you to talk to someone you know who has previously adopted a child. They can provide you with advice and help you determine if adoption is right for you. They can also support you throughout the process by encouraging you and giving you tips.
2. Adoption Social Worker. The second person you need is an adoption social worker. An adoption social worker is a person who facilitates the adoption and works with both the family and the child. An adoption social worker specializes in working with children who have been legally separated from their biological parents. An adoption social worker may focus on domestic adoption, international adoption or both. They divide up their time between schools, the office, hospitals, foster homes, adoptive parent homes and any other place where the child may go. 
3. Adoption lawyer. Once you have decided on adoption, you need to get an adoption lawyer. An adoption lawyer can help you navigate the legal aspects of adoption and help you complete the necessary paperwork. They may also represent you in court and give you advice throughout the process.
4. Adoption doctor. The last expert you will need is someone who specializes in adoption. Whether you are adopting domestically or internationally, an adoption doctor can help you both prior to the adoption by helping you determine the best child for you based on medical information and after the adoption by completing any necessary medical exams to help the child. 

These are the top four experts you need for your adoption journey, but you may find that you need more help than just this. It’s important to think about what you need for your adoption journey before deciding on the help you may receive. I wish you the best on your journey. 

Considering adoption? Let us help you on your journey to creating your forever family. Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98.

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