CLIPBOARD : HOW TO: ADOPT A CHILD

When babies make headlines, it’s often because they are found abandoned in dumpsters, are born to parents addicted to drugs or are orphans kept in warehouses in Romania. But for every unwanted child there may be an unhappily childless couple who are eager to provide the warmth and love that child needs.

Avenues to adoption in Orange County center on three basic options: the county’s public adoption agency, private agencies and attorneys whose specialty is adoption.

PUBLIC ADOPTION

* Orange County Social Services Agency, Adoption Services, 1845 W. Orangewood Ave. Suite 300, Orange, (714) 937-3667.

Adoption Services, a part of Orange County Social Services Agency, is Orange County’s public adoption arm. This office works with all the children who come into the county’s protective custody.

Adoption Services offers orientation classes (held twice a month on a Tuesday or Wednesday night from 6:45 to 9 p.m. The next available classes are Jan. 8, Jan. 23 and Feb. 6.). The classes include information about traditional adoption, foster-parenting and EPOCH, Early Placement of Children in Homes--a program for foster parenting of children who have been identified as possible candidates for adoption.

“Children become dependents of our court for one year,” said senior social worker Bob Christopher. After that year, if the parents are still judged to be incapable of raising the child, the human services offices chooses the second-best permanent plan for these children.

“When the children are to be freed (legally dissociated from their natural parents or guardians), foster parents often adopt these children. About 40% placed in general foster care do not go back to their (birth) parents.”

Adoption Services recommends getting firsthand experience with the children such as the ones they might be adopting by working through the social services agency as a volunteer at Orangewood Children’s Home. Orangewood is a temporary shelter where mistreated or neglected children up to age 18 wait until the juvenile justice system returns them home, entrusts them to relatives or places them in foster care. Volunteers would work with children the same ages as those they’re considering adopting.

Christopher also recommends that anyone interested in adopting “borrow” a brother or sister’s children to get a feel for having them around, that they be a Big Brother or Big Sister and that they read books or take classes such as the parent education courses taught at Parenting Resources (see below). The County Adoption Services gives referrals for private adoption agencies for individual counseling and a more perfect match with a child.

PRIVATE (OPEN) ADOPTION

* Parenting Resources, 250 El Camino Real, Suite 111, Tustin, (714) 669-8100, Sharon Kaplan, executive director.

This adoption center (with offices in Tustin and Dana Point) provides total parent education, support and counseling. There are classes in how to find a child for adoption, classes for the adopted children, for the birth parents and therapy sessions for adoptees and adoptive parents.

* Holy Family Service, 1403 S. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 835-5551, Mrs. Geri M. Humphry,district director.

This nondenominational agency offers free counseling and provides broader service to families in stress. It gives cost-free help for those who have unplanned pregnancies, helps natural parents choose a family for their baby, will provide direct hospital placement if desired and makes financial assistance available. The agency also makes home visits for those unable to get to the office.

* Life Adoption Services, 440 W. Main St., Tustin, (714) 838-5433.

Specializes in international adoptions, whereby Americans adopt children from other countries. The organization operates two programs in Brazil, two in Peru, one in Mexico and one in Romania.

* Children’s Home Society of California, 300 S. Sycamore, Santa Ana, (714) 542-1147.

Has free professional counseling for birth parents, financial assistance and helps select a family for the baby and arranges to have the birth parents meet the new family. The society remains as involved as the parties desire but encourages direct contact between the parties for updates on the baby. It also coordinates direct hospital placement. The organization specializes in newborns to 2-year-olds, and there is not necessarily a waiting list.

* AASK Southern California (Aid to Adoption of Special Kids), 2081 Business Center Drive, Irvine, (714) 752-8305.

This is a local branch of a national organization specializing in hard-to-place children.

* Romanian Club, (213) 393-2856.

Santa Monica resident Orson Mozes, whose brother lives in Romania, wants to help people in their efforts to adopt Romanian children and plans to escort couples on a trip there next fall.

INDEPENDENT ADOPTION

Independent, direct adoption is also available by means of a lawyer who specializes in adoption.

* Randall B. Hicks, 1940 W. Orangewood Ave., Orange; (714) 978-2588.

Birth mother (only 20% of fathers are involved) can meet and select adoptive parents. Adopting parents pay legal fees, for the birth mother’s counseling, and other medical expenses if the birth mother has no health insurance. In 75% of the cases, costs fall between $4,300 and $8,200.

* Tel/Law, a public service announcement, will describe the procedure in a taped recording on independent adoptions: (714) 835-5294. Ask for announcement 24.

* Orange County Bar Assn., (714) 835-8811. Ask to be referred to an attorney specializing in adoptions.

* Legal Aid, for those who can’t afford an attorney: (714) 835-8806.

Her are some adoption tips from Attorney Randal Hicks:

* Work with a licensed adoption agency or licensed California attorney. Many organizations/individuals are baby-finding services but may not be as knowledgeable regarding the law and procedures.

* Be cautious of attorneys who charge large up-front, non-refundable amounts. Payment should be for services received.

* Also be cautious of attorneys who keep large numbers of couples waiting. The chances of being selected to adopt will be smaller.

--ELENA BRUNET