Table Of Content

    • What Our Program Offers
    • Who We Help
    • Types of Adoptions
    • Home Study Process
    • Additional Resources
    • Get Started Today

    What Our Adoption Program Offers

    What Our Program Offers

    We know every situation is different. Whether you're an expecting mother or want to become an adoptive parent, Idaho Youth Ranch offers individualized adoption plans that will fit your unique needs.

    Some of our resources include:

    • Adoption services

    • Home studies

    • Advocacy

    • Free birth-parent counseling

    Because we facilitate open adoptions, we are equipped to help both adoptive and birth parents come to the best solution possible for the children. We stay with those children as they grow and continue to offer our support as they grow, understand their past, and have a bright future. 

    Who We Help

    Who We Help

    Support for Birth Parents

    Pregnant and seeking support?

    You are not alone. 

    We know that facing an unplanned pregnancy can be one of the most difficult times in a woman’s life. That’s why our team of professionals is here to help you through the decision-making process by providing confidential counseling, education surrounding your available options, as well as referrals to legal, medical, and community resources.

    Become an Adoptive Parent

    Since 1983, Idaho Youth Ranch has worked with adoptive parents to provide loving, stable homes for newborns and older children alike. We know that adopting a child into your family can be overwhelming, but our experienced social workers are here to provide guidance, advocacy, and education throughout the entire process.

    "When contemplating one of the biggest decisions of our lives of whether or not to proceed with the adoption process, it was Idaho Youth Ranch that provided the knowledge, professionalism, and understanding we needed to ease our fears and anxieties."

     

    Contact an Adoptions Specialist

    Types of Adoptions

    Types of Adoptions

    Independent Adoption

    An independent or private adoption is one that is not facilitated by an adoption agency but is instead arranged by an attorney, clergyperson, or other intermediary. About half of all infant adoptions are independent in the United States.

    Due to their private nature, these non-agency adoptions do not generally include counseling or pre-placement educational services for adoptive parents. Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions Specialists can provide this valuable support. Our experienced team is here to provide education and personalized consultation throughout.

    Infant Adoption

    Idaho Youth Ranch works with birth parents and adoptive parents to provide loving and stable homes through the miracle of adoption. Since we began our adoption services in 1983, our experienced staff has always ensured that the child's needs are the primary consideration in planning an adoption.

    Requirements for parents applying to the infant adoption program:

    • If married, must be married for at least two years.

    • No more than one child already in the home

    • Established medical reason for not having biological children.

    • Ability to afford the cost of adoption financially.

    • Medical insurance to cover the child after adoption.

    • Completion of adoption preparation classes

    Embryo Adoption

    Embryo adoption offers hope to those who are struggling to start a family.

    Individuals who have undergone In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) may have additional frozen embryos they no longer intend to use. Using an informed consent agreement or contract, they can legally agree to release these frozen embryos to couples who are experiencing infertility.

    In this case, a donated embryo is transferred to the womb of the adoptive mother. In the event of a successful pregnancy, the adoptive parents claim all legal rights and responsibility for their new son or daughter. While the adoptive parents can remain anonymous in this type of adoption, they are still required to complete a home study.

    Stepchild Adoption

    When a stepparent adopts their stepchild, they assume full custody of their spouse's child. In turn, the now non-custodial parent is legally released from all parenting responsibilities.

    This is a common form of adoption, but most court jurisdictions in Idaho still require an adoption home study to be completed when a stepparent petitions to adopt their stepchild.

    Our experienced team can guide you through the legal process of completing a stepchild adoption and offer education, consultation, advocacy, and ongoing support.

    " I was too young to care for a baby and I knew, even at 16, that I couldn’t take care of her. I knew she needed a mom and a dad.  The Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions staff members were able to pick up on what I wanted for my daughter and found the perfect parents."

     

    Contact an Adoptions Specialist

    Home study

    Home Study Process

    Each state requires that all prospective adoptive parents participate in a home study.

    The home study is a detailed, written report that is compiled and prepared through a series of meetings or interviews to create a complete picture of life in your family. 

    The home study process is designed to achieve three goals:

    1. To evaluate the suitability of the adoptive family

    2. To educate and prepare the family for adoption

    3. To gather information about the adoptive family that will better help the social worker match the family with a child whose needs they can meet

    While this may seem rather daunting, it is helpful to remember that adoption placement professionals are not seeking perfect parents. They are looking for real people who can provide love and stability for real children. Flexibility and a sense of humor are vital components for raising children, and these same characteristics will be valuable when you and your social worker navigate the adoption process.

    The home study consists of the following components:

    • Training (content will vary depending on the type of adoption)

    • Information regarding personal family history, current family composition, parenting philosophy, motivation, and readiness for adoption

    • Health and income statements; personal references

    • Criminal history and child abuse register clearances

    • Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees (if applicable) and recent tax returns

    • A review of your neighborhood and community resources

    • Home visits and interviews with other family members

    The Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions staff conducts home studies for all types of adoptions. Collectively, our staff of experts has over 50 years of experience in providing specialized adoption services. Together, they can provide you with support and information throughout your adoption journey.

    Additional Resources

    Additional Resources

    General Adoption Info

    Special Needs Adoption

    International Adoption (Idaho Youth Ranch Partnering Agencies)

    Get started 

    Get Started Today

    No matter where you are in the process, we'd be happy to discuss your options with you.

    Contact an Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions Specialist:

     

    Related

     

    Adoption Testimonials

    We were skeptical about being able to adopt a baby who shared our same culture and heritage. I called Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions program because I heard a lot of good things about them. I had fears about domestic adoption and the reality of being able to adopt a healthy Hispanic baby. But 30 days later, I was holding this bright, healthy Hispanic baby at the hospital and thinking what a blessing it is to be with my son and bond with him from the very beginning! Because it happened so quickly, I was very grateful that the staff prepared my husband and I for the adoptions process.

    They helped us with expectations and prepared us for legal matters and court dates. I had a lot of anxiety before the adoption was final, but the Idaho Youth Ranch adoption staff counseled and supported me throughout the process. They changed my thinking, and now I consider myself an advocate for adoption.

    Adoptive Parent

    I was too young to care for a baby and I knew, even at 16, that I couldn’t take care of her. I knew she needed a mom and a dad.  The Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions staff members were able to pick up on what I wanted for my daughter and found the perfect parents. I wasn’t prepared for the emotions and difficulty I faced because I didn’t know you could love someone so much. 

    One of the social workers helped me with a plan that provided the best future for my daughter. She also helped me with court dates, attorneys, scheduling and counseling. Basically, there isn’t anything that the staff didn’t help me with. While it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, I know it’s the best thing I could ever do for my daughter.

    Birth Parent

    When contemplating one of the biggest decisions of our lives, whether or not to proceed with the adoption process, it was Idaho Youth Ranch that provided the knowledge, professionalism, and understanding we needed to ease our fears and anxieties.

    Their classes, prerequisite readings and caring staff answered our questions and guided us through the process. Our result was a far better understanding of future expectations and the best outcomes for all involved parties. In an instant, before we knew it, we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl! 

    We couldn’t be happier with the caring support provided by our caseworker at Idaho Youth Ranch, not only at that particular surreal moment but throughout the entire process.

    Adoptive Parent

    “Because I wasn’t married and had a great career, I didn’t feel I was ready to be a parent. I felt that I would be okay and it would be better knowing that my baby would be with a family who wanted children.

    The counseling provided by the Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions staff was comprehensive—from beginning to end. My counselor wanted to make sure I was okay with my decision.  That was her number one priority. 

    The most difficult part was working through the magnitude of the process and ensuring that afterwards I would feel great about my decision. I attribute this to the adoptions counselor and her ability to help me work through the process.

    I would advise all birth moms to gather all information, not hold anything out, explore all options and be informed. I didn’t believe this is something I could ever do, but now I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

    Birth Parent

    We had a very positive experience with an open adoption with our first child when living in another state. When we decided to adopt another child, we were concerned that we wouldn’t have as good of an experience with a different agency.

    We chose to adopt our second child through Idaho Youth Ranch, and found that our highest expectations were easily exceeded. The guidance and counseling we received as adoptive parents, and the counseling the birth mother received was wonderful, which made the process go smoothly.

    We think Idaho Youth Ranch should be a model for how a well-run adoption agency can attend to the needs of both the birth and adoptive families.

    Adoptive Parent

    Working with the Idaho Youth Ranch was a fantastic experience. They helped us put our life on paper and they were always there to cheer us on and remind us that it’s not if, but when. We interviewed several agencies prior to choosing Idaho Youth Ranch and felt most confident in their ability.

    They made us feel comfortable with the process by giving us one-on-one time. They explained the entire adoption process and helped us understand what it would take to get through the process. The Idaho Youth Ranch Adoptions staff truly had everyone’s best interest at heart.

    Adoptive Parent