HOME STUDY: DO’S and DON’TS

An essential step in the adoption process is completing a home study. A home study is an evaluation and overview of prospective adoptive parents’ personal life and background – which will allow the agency to determine if the adoptive parents are able to provide a stable and safe environment for the child. An adoption professional [...]

Positive Adoption Terminology

  When entering the adoption journey, it is important to familiarize yourself with adoption related terms. Often times, people unknowingly utilize negative or outdated adoption language that could be hurtful or offensive to those who are touched by adoption. Positive adoption vocabulary helps to ensure that adoption is viewed as a wonderful way to build [...]

Favorite Adoption Blogs of 2016

Everybody needs a support system, or at the very least someone who can relate to their circumstance or situation. However, often times – people may not have a safety net of family and/or friends they can rely on for judgment free advice. Which is why blogs have become a great resource for those looking for guidance. [...]

AFTH Staff Celebrates The Holidays

Season's Greetings! Last week Adoptions From The Heart hosted a holiday party for staff at Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant. We're so grateful for days, where we can all be together, rejoice in the holiday spirit and reflect on the past year, and what we are looking forward to in the year ahead! Below are a few photos [...]

Gifts For The Birth Mother in Your Life

In most open adoptions, adoptive families have a unique relationship with their child’s birth mother. In many cases, adoptive parents will schedule visits or phone calls, send photos or write letters to birth families, in an effort to create a healthy and happy family dynamic. Some adoptive parents occasionally send gifts – and with the [...]

Q&A with AFTH Newest Adoptive Parents

On Friday November 18, 2016; five AFTH adoptive parents finalized their adoptions, at the Camden County Court House in Camden, NJ. The day of the finalizations fell on National Adoption Day, which made the day all the more fitting and special. We spoke with two of the families, Jennifer and Joe , as well as Leanne and Ryan, [...]

N.J. adoptees get right to original birth certificate in 2017

In most states, when a child is adopted, his original birth certificate is filed and sealed by the court. For years, original birth certificates have not been available to the public, and an adoptee could only access it by a court order under good cause. According to the American Adoption Congress there are only 19 states throughout [...]

November Is National Adoption Month

National Adoption Month (NAM) also known as National Adoption Awareness Month has a long standing history. For over 20 years, adoption agencies, social workers, and adoption groups have coordinated events, workshops, etc. to raise awareness about adoption. What started as a week-long initiative, transitioned into a month-long campaign to highlight the positive impact adoption has [...]

Adoptions From The Heart Casino Royale 2016 Recap

Ante Up Last weekend, on Saturday November 5th, Adoptions From The Heart hosted their first Annual Casino Royale at the Clothier Room in Wynnewood, Pa. Over 100 people came out to for a night of fun, food and fundraising, all benefitting the Birth Parent Scholarship Fund. Guests enjoyed a collection of mellow harmonies, by the [...]