THOMASVILLE — Open Door Adoption Agency Inc. in Thomasville handles adoptions on several levels, including the adoption of foster children.

Open Door handles foster child adoption in Georgia only and only with foster children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated, said Amber Childs, foster adoption Southwest Georgia consultant.

The first step in adopting a foster child is to complete the online application at www.SuitcaseMovement.org and include the required documents by uploading or emailing copies of: marriage certificate, drivers licenses, Social Security cards and birth certificates of all family members. There is no application fee for the program. When documents and paperwork are completed and in the home office, the application will be reviewed.

The home study will be the next step. While home study documents are being secured, scheduling required training can begin. Georgia requires adoptive parents to attend, at no cost, a parenting class offered in various areas several times a year. Go to www.fostergeorgia.com and click on IMPACT Pre-Service Training (right menu). Choose a regional IMPACT training schedule to see dates for classes in your region. Or you can call your local DFCS/DHS office. You will first be required to attend a very short informational session before the actual course begins. 

The average age of foster children available for adoption is 8 to 17. The broader your openness of child, older children and sibling groups, those with handicaps or other issues, the faster you could be matched.

It is rare for a younger child to be available unless he/she is in a sibling group. You can see waiting children anytime at:

• “It’s My Turn Now” http://itsmyturnnow.dhs.ga.gov/WebForms/Home.aspx

• Wednesday’s Child http://wednesdayschild.dhs.ga.gov/ ,

• “Heart Gallery” http://www.heartgalleryofamerica.org/

Once your home study is approved, the Suitcase Movement team will help search for your child statewide, as well. You will be notified of statewide adoption parties and events and match meetings.

Open Door Adoption Agency hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Open Door, 218 E. Jackson St., also handles domestic infant and international adoptions.

Childs can be reached at amber@opendooradoption.org or (229) 228-6339.