Services for Full Service Families

The services below are available for families living in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and portions of New York. For additional information, contact the office closest to you.

Pre-Placement

Adoption Information Meetings
Each of our regional offices offers in-person meetings, either in the regional office or nearby locations. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity to learn about Wide Horizons For Children (WHFC) and our programs. Our staff members are available to you to answer questions or discuss concerns. View the complete schedule of upcoming meetings.

Program Introduction Presentations
These presentations are geared toward all prospective and registered clients who have not yet selected a program. WHFC offers a variety of formats to help you learn more about our programs, including online audiovisual presentations, available whenever you are, and live teleconferences, providing an opportunity to hear the most up-to-date information from a member of our program team. View the complete schedule and select the format that works best for you.

Pre-Adopt Education
All applicants must complete 10 hours of pre-adopt education requirements. First-time applicants to WHFC are also asked to attend a pre-adopt group in their area. Issues discussed include short- and long-term adjustment, acceptance of your child by family and community, and medical and legal concerns.

Home Study
While the home study is a requirement for all adoptions, it is also an opportunity to discuss yourself, your family, and your ideas about parenting. An experienced social worker will work closely with you in order to understand your expectations about adoption and ensure that you are ready to take this important step. Learn more about the home study process.

Child Placement

Program Placement
WHFC currently works in 12 countries. Our program staff members are highly knowledgeable about the adoption process in each country. Some of our staff are natives of the countries they work in, and many have traveled extensively in the country in which they work. Once you have selected a program, our program teams are available to work with you to compile your dossier and guide your process.

Family Subsidies
Every year, WHFC dedicates funds to help support families requiring financial assistance to complete an adoption. These funds are an important part of our commitment to building permanent families. All applications for financial assistance are reviewed and decisions take into account a wide variety of issues. Grants typically range from $500-2,500. More significant Benefactor Subsidies are made available to applicants through the generous support of WHFC donors.

Post Placement

Post Placement Support
Once your child is home with you, a minimum of three visits by a social worker are required as well as monthly contact for a six month period. Contact focuses on family adjustment and the health and development of the child.

Legalization
WHFC will assist families with the process of legalization (also referred to as finalization) of your adoption in the United States. While some countries finalize the adoption overseas, we encourage families to re-legalize the adoption in their child's state of residence.

Post Adoption Counseling
As part of the WHFC family, you have access to our post adoption counseling specialists. We know that adoption is a life-long process and WHFC has made a commitment to provide ongoing support for both adoptees and adoptive parents.

Cultural and Social Events
Our children come home to us from around the world. Their unique cultural and ethnic background is part of who they are, and we celebrate cultural traditions at family gatherings. These exciting events give families a chance to make friends with others who have adopted children from the same country while learning more about the culture of their child's birth country. View the complete schedule of events.

Humanitarian Aid
Our commitment to children goes well beyond adoption. Over the past 30 years, WHFC has donated more than $10 million to needy children around the world. Through our humanitarian aid program, we provide vital goods and services to children in orphanages and hospitals, and respond to emergency care situations. We are proud of our tradition of making a lasting difference in the quality of life for thousands of children.