Adoption Services

Children of all ages are waiting to be adopted. Chemung County welcomes responsible, caring adults who are ready to share their time, their hearts, and their lives with our waiting children. When you adopt a child, you will be giving that child a permanent family and another chance in life. All children deserve a loving, committed, safe, and permanent family.

Adoption Services assist children who have no permanent guardian to become adopted. The Chemung County Department of Social Services certifies prospective adoptive families according to criteria set forth by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The Chemung County Department of Social Services requires a home study, which is a written document describing the prospective adoptive parent, their environment, and the specific skills they will be able to utilize in raising an adopted child.

Training Program

New York State and local regulations require that prospective adoptive parents complete a pre-certification training program and cooperate with a background investigation. Our agency provides "Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting" (MAPP), an interactive group process through which prospective adoptive parents will be introduced to the many issues of child welfare. Each prospective adoptive family is recertified annually and the Homefinder who visits your home for that purpose will update your home study.

Contact

If you are interested in providing a structured and nurturing permanent home for a child waiting for adoption, please call Home finding/Adoption at 607-737-5557. For more information visit the New York State Adoption Service website. 

Find information on post-adoption help for families.