Wanted. Chosen. Loved. Adopted.
Children’s Aid and Family Services has been helping children who don’t have families able to care for them for over 125 years. We’ve placed more than 11,000 children with loving adoptive families and adoption continues to be at the heart of our mission. We continue this life-changing work today and are seeking individuals interested in expanding their family through adoption.
Older Child Adoption
We are dedicated to helping families open their hearts and homes to children ages 8 – 18 who need a loving adoptive family. Many of these incredible children and teens have endured abuse and neglect, which can lead to emotional, behavioral, and educational challenges. We believe every child deserves a chance to thrive in a supportive environment.
Our adoption team is here to guide you through the journey of adopting an older child. We offer comprehensive training and a wide range of support services to help you navigate the unique challenges and joys of parenting an older child. Our goal is to empower you with the skills and confidence you need to make a lifelong commitment to a child with special needs, such as:
- Healing from past trauma
- Developing a strong sense of self
- Managing complex emotions related to loss and grief
- Overcoming behavioral challenges
Join us in making a difference in the lives of these wonderful children and helping them create brighter futures.
“The world may not change if you adopt a child, but for that child their world will change.”
– Unknown
“The world may not change if you adopt a child, but for that child their world will change.”
– Unknown
“The world may not change if you adopt a child, but for that child their world will change.”
– Unknown
Adoption Complaint Investigation (ACI)
Children’s Aid and Family Services provides Adoption Complaint Investigations. This is a process ordered by the court to look at the details of an adoption that isn’t handled by an agency. The goal is to see if the prospective adoptive parents are suitable. A state-approved adoption agency, such as ours which is appointed by the court, carries out the investigation after the prospective parent files an adoption petition. Based on the agency’s report and the evidence, the court will decide if the process can go forward.
Step-Parent Adoption
Step-parent adoptions do not always require a full investigation. The step-parent is required to complete a Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) as well as a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). If the background checks and or fingerprinting produce unfavorable results the court can order a full investigation.
New Jersey Adoption Resource Clearing House (NJ ARCH)
The New Jersey Adoption Resources Clearing House (NJ ARCH) is a one-stop resource for those touched by adoption. NJ ARCH provides adoption advocacy, support, education, information, resources, and event listings to pre-adoptive and adoptive families, foster families, birth parents, adult adoptees and adoption professionals throughout New Jersey.
Services include:
- Comprehensive state-wide resource directory including adoption agencies, support groups, medical and mental health professionals, camps and more.
- Free Lending Library featuring an extensive collection of adoption, foster care and parenting books, videos and articles. Our unique free library provides an opportunity for you to brows online and select items to be conveniently shipped to your home at no charge. When you are finished with the borrowed items, just use the provided pre-paid postage labels to return them!
- Toll-Free Warm Line number providing information, resources and an empathic ear at 1-877-4ARCHNJ (877-427-2465) or through email at warmline@njarch.org
- Parent Training workshops are available for support groups, social service agencies, conferences and /or DCP&P Licensed Resource (foster) parents for possible training credits provided by the host organization. For more information or to view a list of current topics, visit the Parent Training tab on www.njarch.org.
Visit the NJ ARCH website, email the warmline warmline@njarch.org or call the toll free number at 877-4-ARCHNJ or 877-427-2465 for more information.
Adoption and Kinship Legal Guardianship
“If you have a heart for adoption, don’t let fear stand in the way.”
-Doug Chapman
“If you have a heart for adoption, don’t let fear stand in the way.”
-Doug Chapman
“If you have a heart for adoption, don’t let fear stand in the way.”
-Doug Chapman
Birth Parent Counseling
If you are considering adoption for your child, Children’s Aid and Family Services can help you review all your options and choose a plan which is best for you and your child. We provide services to Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties.
Our Services Include:
- Free Confidential Counseling
- Referral and Support Services
- Participation in the Selection of Your Child’s Adoptive Family
- Short-term Foster Care
- Adoption Placement
- Post-Adoption Counseling
Professional Guidance and Support
Confidential counseling services are available free of charge, before and after the child’s birth – regardless of your decision. As you begin to plan your child’s future, a case worker with Children’s Aid and Family Services will meet with you to discuss and explain your options and assist you in making an informed decision. Should you choose adoption for your child, trained professionals will help you address any emotional issues you may face. Counseling is also available for your parents and other family members.
For more information, please call Marcia Fisher at (201) 740-7038.
Search and Reunion
Children’s Aid and Family Services, formerly known as Children’s Aid and Adoption Society, provides background and search services to persons adopted through this agency or the Sister Mary Eugene Foundation, an agency that merged with Children’s Aid and Adoption Society in 1974. These services are for adopted persons who are interested in obtaining non-identifying information about their medical and social histories, and/or who are interested in establishing contact with their birth families. The agency also conducts searches on behalf of birth parents who would like to meet the adult sons and daughters they placed for adoption through this agency or the Sister Mary Eugene Foundation. Search services also include searching for adopted siblings on behalf of birth parents.
People interested in these services can contact Gloria T. Smith, L.C.S.W., coordinator of the program, at 201-740-7135 or gsmith@cafsnj.org.
Birth Family Reunion Planning and Support
Many adopted individuals make the decision to research, seek and locate their birth parents or members of their birth family. If you’ve taken this step and have obtained the contact information for individuals you believe are members of your birth family, we can help you navigate the next steps in your reunion journey. Our Navigations Birth Family Reunion and Support program assists adopted individuals to facilitate the reunion journey with their birth families from initial first contact planning to personal counseling. Click here to download the flier.
People interested in these services can contact Gloria T. Smith, L.C.S.W., coordinator of the program, at 201-740-7135 or gsmith@cafsnj.org.
