Nightlight® Christian Adoptions

Renewed Hope Program Description

GENERAL INFORMATION
Nightlight Christian Adoptions recognizes it is the desire of every family to have a successful adoption,
even when a child may face difficult issues. However, unexpected problems may challenge an adoptive
family beyond what they can handle. Nightlight developed the Renewed Hope program to assist families
who feel dissolving their adoption is the best option for their children and their family. The Renewed
Hope program seeks to match these children with new adoptive families. By becoming a Nightlight
family for one of these children, you can grow your family through a domestic adoption.

CHILDREN AVAILABLE
 Children originally adopted internationally or through the foster care system
 Occasionally sibling groups are available for adoption
 Children with special needs are available for adoption
 Children’s ages typically range from 6-14
 Occasionally younger children are available, ages 3-6

ELIGIBILITY TO ADOPT
Applicants must be at least 21years old, and the youngest parent must not be more than 45 years older
than the child they are adopting. Singles are eligible to adopt from the Renewed Hope program;
however, each child’s specific needs are taken into consideration when matching them with a new
adoptive family. Couples must be married for a minimum of two years. Adoptive families must
complete a home study and Nightlight’s required education.

GENERAL PROCESS
This is a general overview of the process. Each state has its own adoption laws, and the timing and
amount of services required will vary depending on the applicable state laws.
1. Once a child is identified, complete the online application
2. Submit/Begin your adoption home study
3. Complete the required Renewed Hope education
4. Arrange for legal representation
5. Complete transition plan
6. Travel to state where child is living for required 7-day visit with child
7. Receive placement of the child
8. Return home once ICPC approval is received
9. Complete post-placement supervision
10. Finalize your adoption

Revised KE 2/3/21
MATCHING
When matching a child with a new adoptive family, the child’s specific needs are taken into
consideration. Some children may do best in a home with other children; some may not. Some may
require a two-parent home, while others may thrive in a single-parent home. The Renewed Hope
program only accepts applications for waiting children. Families open to older children, children of any
race, and children with special needs (physical, emotional, or behavioral) are likely to have success
adopting through the Renewed Hope program.

TRAVEL
You will likely be matched with a child that lives in another state. If this is the case, you will be required
to visit the child in their home state prior to receiving placement. Depending on the child’s specific
needs, it may be necessary to make additional trips to visit with the child as part of the transition plan.
You will again travel to your child’s state once it is time to begin the transition and receive placement of
your child. You must remain in your child’s birth state until the interstate compact coordinators in
both your state of residence and your child’s state of residence have approved the placement (usually
up to 14 business days, but can be as long as 28 business days). After ICPC approval, you will then be
allowed to take your child home with you and, in most cases, finalize your adoption in your home
state.

PLACING PARENTS RIGHT TO REVOKE

This is not something that typically occurs in this type of adoption; however, the time frame depends
upon the state laws in your child’s home state. Once the placing family has signed the voluntary
petition to terminate parental rights, they can decide to “change their mind” depending on the
applicable state laws in their state of residence. During this time period, if the placing parents decide
to withdraw the petition to terminate their rights, our agency would discuss with the adoptive parents
before determining what is in the best interest of the child and whether it would be appropriate for the
adoptive parents to pursue an involuntary termination of parental rights. In the event that the decision
is made to pursue an involuntary termination of parental rights, the additional legal costs are the
responsibility of the adoptive family. In a situation where the placing parent decides to parent, and the
adoptive family is pursuing an involuntary termination of parental rights, it is the decision of the judge
to determine what is in the best interest of the child.

OPEN ADOPTIONS
One purpose of an open adoption is to provide answers for your child, minimizing their loss of
relationships by maintaining and celebrating the child’s connections with all the important people in his
or her life. Open adoption also empowers you in raising your child by providing knowledge about your
child’s family history. During the home study, you will learn of the many positive aspects of open
adoption, and your adoption worker will discuss with you the contact arrangement you are most
comfortable with.

COST
The program fee for a Renewed Hope adoption is $3,500. Additional estimated expenses of $1,500 to
$17,000 will bring the total cost to approximately $5,000-$22,000. In addition, your out-of-pocket
expenses may further be reduced if you receive grants or other employer-provided adoption benefits.
For additional fee information, please see Attachment A.

Revised KE 2/3/21
 ATTACHMENT A
NIGHTLIGHT® CHRISTIAN ADOPTIONS
RENEWED HOPE ADOPTIONS – FEES AND ESTIMATED COSTS

PROGRAM FEE COSTS TOTALS NOTES

Application Phase $500 Due with application acceptance
Match Phase $2,000 Due upon match with a child
Placement Phase $1,000 Due two weeks before placement
Total Program Fee $3,500

OTHER COSTS (ESTIMATED) COSTS TOTALS NOTES

Expenses $1,500 –$11,700
Home Study $1,100-$3,000 Costs vary by state/agency
Post Adoption Reports $300-$2,000 Costs vary by state/agency
Other Parent Education/Training $100-$400 Estimated cost of online education courses
Finalization Attorney fees $0-$6,000 Costs vary by state, court cost, and guardian ad litem fees
Court Report $0-$300 Costs vary by state/agency
Potential Additional Expenses $0-$5,300
Applies to families living outside NCA licensed area using
Home Study Review Fee $300
other home study provider
Applies only to interstate adoptions when the attorney is
ICPC Processing Fee $1,500
not filing ICPC
Families must visit the child prior to placement and then
Travel $2,000-$3,500 travel to receive child. Fees based on two adults and
reasonable accommodations.

TOTAL ESTIMATED OTHER COSTS $1,500- $17,000

Range depends on factors such as your home study fees,
GRAND TOTAL $5,000– $22,000 travel expenses, and legal fees-all of which can be higher
than estimated.

Although we strive to maintain a predictable fee schedule, unexpected increase in our costs may necessitate an increase in fees. Therefore, fees
may be increased upon 90-day notice.

Program fees are paid in phases and are non-refundable. Nightlight establishes a budget for costs each year based on the number of adoptions
it estimates completing, as well as revenue from grants and donations. Based on these estimates, we establish program fees to cover the
costs of attorneys, social workers, insurance, and other costs we incur. Of course it would be prohibitive to allocate all of the costs (payroll,
rent, insurance, supplies, travel, etc.) to one adoption in one program.

Please sign this page acknowledging that you have received a copy of this List of Fees and Estimated Costs.

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Adoptive Father Signature Date

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Adoptive Mother Signature Date

Revised KE 2/3/21