Building a family
Building a family
Adoption is a beautiful and rewarding experience. We are here to empower you through the whole journey. Our compassionate staff will guide adoptive parents through the entire adoption process with clear communication, educational training, and support.
The Adoption Process
Contact Us
We understand adoption can be a difficult decision and we’re here to support you. Contact us so we can support you and explain your options.
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Texting or calling 702-385-3351
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Emailing adoptions@sacredheart.com
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Using chat
Make a Plan
Each adoption plan is unique and customized to fit you. We will help you as you make the following decision:
Choosing an open, semi-open, or closed adoption
You can choose if you would like to meet with the adoptive parents before or after your delivery, have little contact, or no contact. Ultimately, you decide how much contact you have with the baby after their birth.
Choosing the Adoptive Family
You have the option to choose the adoptive parents. Each eligible family has completed extensive background checks, home studies, and education. They are eager to raise a child in a loving happy home. Click here to view our waiting families.
Delivery and Medical Care
You are able to receive assistance with medical costs for pregnancy and delivery for you and the baby. We will help you apply for Medicaid or you will receive financial support from the adoptive family. As we develop a birth plan we will help you choose where you would like to give birth and whom you would like to be present during the delivery.
Paperwork
We will work with you to complete all necessary paperwork and documentation to complete the adoption.
Support Through Pregancy
You will meet with a Loving Heart Adoptions advocate throughout your pregnancy to offer emotional support and guidance. We can connect you with community resources including assistance with prenatal care, food, ID’s and clothing as well as provide transportation to appointments. If needed, we will also help you apply for Medicaid.
Placement
72 hours after the birth of the child, birthparents can sign documents relinquishing their parental rights. We will help and guide you in this process. The relinquishment could occur in the comfort of your home, Loving Heart Adoptions’ office, or another location.
The Adoption Process
Contact Our Team to Get Started
Speak with one of our caring Social Workers to get started! Together we can discuss adoption goals.
Getting to Know You
Meet and Greet
The Meet ane Greet is an informal gathering with staff and other prospective adoptive parents. Please contact us directly to schedule a one-on-one session with a Loving Hearts staff member.
Intake
After completing the application process, you will have an intake interview with a licensed Social Worker. This is an opportunity to discuss and document your adoption plan, goals, and placement preferences. During this time, background checks are administered, and a My Adoption Portal (MAP) profile is created.
Attend Adoptive Parenting Preparation Classes
These classes cover the entire adoption process and explain adoption concepts, types of adoption, legalities, and more. A presentation of the “family building partnership” will show how Loving Hearts Adoption Services staff and community partners can support you in your adoption journey. Attendance at each class by each adoptive applicant is required for agency program acceptance. Classes typically occur over three days in the spring and fall.
Home Study
References, medical exams, law enforcement clearances, and other supporting documentation are to be submitted to a Loving Hearts Adoption Services staff member. Individual and joint interviews are conducted during visits to the adoptive family’s home.
Finding a Match
A match is made based on several factors: birthparent(s) preferences along with adoptive parent’s preferences. The birthparent(s) or the agency may determine the adoptive family based on the type of adoption. The adoptive family is provided with a birthparent scenario, which includes family, medical, and social history. The adoptive family then determines if they are comfortable moving forward. This may occur during a birthmother’s pregnancy or after a child is born.
Placement
72 hours after the birth of the child, birthmothers can sign documents relinquishing their parental rights. We will help and guide you in this process.
Depending on the adoption plan, the relinquishment could occur in Loving Hearts Adoption Services’ office or the location of the birthparent's choice.
Supervision of Placement
Following the placement of the child, Loving Hearts Adoption Services Social Workers will make weekly visits to the adoptive family’s home for the first month and monthly visits for the following 6 months up to the time of finaization in court. Social Workers check on the family to offer support and guidance and check on the wellbeing of the child.
What does it cost to adopt with Loving Hearts Adoption Services?
As hopeful parents work toward an adoption plan with one of our social workers, they can further discuss the associated fees toward application, home study, placement, and post-placement support.
At Loving Hearts, our sliding scale has provided families with the opportunity to adopt. Additional resources for financial assistance such as the Adoption Tax Credit may also be available.
Agency fees are non-refundable and due at the time of service, however, additional fees could incur related to medical bills, birthparent assistance, out-of-state facilitator, and/or legal fees.
Financial Assistance
There are a variety of resources available to help assist with the cost of adoption.
Grants
Help us Adopt
Gift of Adoption Fund
Show Hope
Lifesong for Orphans
Katelyn’s Fund
Military Adoption Reimbursement
Employer Support
Check with your employer to see if they provide financial assistance to employees seeking to adopt.
Loans
Adoption.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why choose adoption?Adoption is a compassionate parenting choice made with the best interest of the child in mind. You can give the gift of life and parenthood to a family excited to raise a child in a loving home. Loving Heart Adoption Services will also provide support during and following the placement process.
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How much does adoption cost?For expectant mothers, there is no expense for placing a child. Assistance is available for costs related to living and medical expenses during pregnancy. Additional financial support is provided three months after the birth of the child.
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Will I have contact with the child after adoption?When making your adoption plan, you choose the level of openness you have with the adoptive family and child after placement. This could include receiving pictures and letters, having regular visits, or no contact at all. You do have the option to make a Post Adoptive Contact Agreement before relinquishments are signed with a lawyer. We will empower you to make this decision. View our Adoption Plans to see the difference between an open, semi-open, and closed adoption.
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Do I have the option to choose the family?You have the option to choose the adoptive family based on your preferred adoption plan. View our waiting families here.
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How long is the adoption process for an expectant mother?On average, the adoption process takes 3-9 months before the baby is placed with the adoptive family. The process begins when you contact Loving Hearts Adoption Services and support continues throughout your life following adoption placement.
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How is the birthfather involved in the adoption process?The rights of the birthfather are equal to that of the birthmother. Birthfathers are encouraged to be involved in the creation of a loving adoption plan. The termination of parental rights can be sought through legal means if the birthfather is known or unknown. All non-relative adoptions must have the parental rights of the birthmother, birthfather, and any legal father (birthmother’s husband) relinquished voluntarily or terminated involuntarily through court. Contact our team for more information by calling 702-385-3351, emailing, or using the chat box below.
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Does an agency have to be involved with the adoption process?Agencies are required to facilitate adoptions in Nevada.
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What if I am pregnant and underage?A Nevada birthparent is accorded all legal rights and responsibilities as an adult regarding his/her child. Minor birthparents do not need permission from their parents to make an adoption plan or sign legal documents pertaining to the child.
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Are adoptions confidential?Yes, all adoptions are confidential for birthparents, adoptive parents, and adoptees and Loving Hearts Adoption Services maintains confidentiality for everyone involved. In the case of an open/semi-open adoption, you are able to choose how much information is shared with the adoptive family. Our compassionate team is always available to mediate meetings between both parties.
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Who chooses the name of the baby?Although birth parents have the right to name the baby, adoptive families have the option to rename the baby. Sometimes, both birth and adoptive parents choose to name the baby together.
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What if the adoption plan falls through?Depending on the chosen adoption plan, expectant parent(s) are able to select a first, second, and third choice for an adoptive family. If plans change for the first choice family, the second choice family will be notified and so on.
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Can I complete my adoption placement process at Loving Hearts Adoption Services if I do not live in Nevada?Yes, Loving Hearts Adoption can facilitate your adoption plan even if you live outside of Nevada. But, you must work with an agency within your home state. Please contact us for more information.
Elizabeth & Michael, Adoptive Parents
“Our family would not be complete without the loving staff of Loving Hearts Adoption Services. Our Social Worker treated us and our daughter's birthmother with the utmost respect and care. We continue to exchange updates and photographs through the agency.”
TESTIMONIALS
Loving Stories
Steve,
Adoptive Parent
“The parenting classes really are helpful. It's not just a hoop to jump in the home study process. The topics discussed are true to the life of parenting adopted kids."
Ryan & Heather, Adoptive Parents
“We chose Loving Hearts Adoption Services because we were confident they could guide us through the complex adoption process.We would have not made it through the wait time without the connections we made in the parenting classes and compassion from agency staff.
Thank you Loving Hearts Adoption Services for helping complete our family.”
We are proud to be a certified Knee to Knee
Post Placement Care Agency!
Knee to Knee is a post placement care network by the Lifetime Healing Foundation dedicated to not only educating adoption professionals on the importance of lifetime resources and support for women that make the decision to place their child(ren) for adoption, but also to provide concrete tools to help them be successful when providing these services.
Through an established and tested national training we hope to bring a vital and mission piece of ethical adoption to the forefront and create a new standard in post-placement care.
