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About Project 1.27
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is it called Project 1.27?
Project 1.27 comes from the Biblical passage in James 1:27 which states:
"Religion that God our Father considers pure and faultless is this, to look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27 (NIV)
- Is Project 1.27 just another Adoption agency?
Project 1.27 is not an agency at all, rather it is a ministry. Project 1.27 does not legally place any children, nor do we offer any formal counseling (definition of agency in Colorado). Simply put, Project 1.27 walks along with the parents during their journey into adoption.
- What does Project 1.27 do?
Project 1.27 has the mission of "No Waiting Children in Colorado". We accomplish this by facilitating successful adoptions between Christians in Churches and Children in the Colorado foster care system.
- How much does a Project 1.27 adoption cost?
Average total out of pocket costs to adopt one child from the Colorado Foster Care system is $400. Of that amount Project 1.27 Families only pay $50 for all of Project 1.27's services. We depend on generous financial supporters to cover operating costs.
- How long will the adoption process take?
The hardest part of the adoption process is deciding to do it. Once that happens, it depends on a lot of variables that include:
1) How aggressive you are filling out paper work, attending training, etc.
2) Background checks can now take 3 months from submission.
3) Home studies can take a while. There is a back log in some Counties and if you are interested in legal risk then you are at the bottom of the stack. Overall, average families can plan on 6-12 months from Orientation to their first placement. 4) Adoption finalizations occur a minimum of 6 months after placement.
- Which County should I choose?
You can base your decision on a number of things including:
1) What County you live in? Consider that your child may have doctors and/or therapists they will need to continue to visit.
2) What children are available in a County? If you are looking at a specific child or type of child, you may want to use a child-specific County.
3) Who do you "connect" with? Your interaction with a County representative at the Orientation or other meetings may lead you to decide to pursue this long term relationship with a specific County.
- Will I be able to love a child that I didn't give birth to?
The Bible is filled with stories of parents who loved their adopted children as there own. Moses, Joseph, even Jesus. Meet with some other families with adopted children; you will be surprised at how natural it really is. Check your family tree online sometime. You may notice an interesting fact that a lot of people have adopted family members in their family line (fathers and mothers) - without them you may not be here! Here's one way to look at it: Do you love your spouse? Are you biologically related? (Hope not!) We don't love because we are biologically related. Love is a choice, a decision of the heart.
- On my "Type of Child Checklist" can I say I can't handle children with certain issues?
Yes. It is very important to be open and honest with where you are and your comfort level. We give no special awards for "Super Christian Parent". If you are married, be sure you are in agreement about what you put on the form. Pray and let God lead you.
- How much food do kids eat?
Usually a bail of hay every other day. Farmer's prices may vary on the market at the time.
- Do children come with subsidies? What are subsidies?
Many children in the foster care system will come with a subsidy. It is a monthly, contractually agreed amount of money between you and your child's County to help you defray the costs of therapy, transportation, food, etc. for your new adopted child. It is not guaranteed for every child but occurs most often for sibling groups, minority children, and other reasons. Medicade is also available for adopted children until they are 18 yrs old with some exceptions. We recommend that families not plan on having a stipend available on a long term basis. The counties can not guarantee this will occur. However, Project 1.27 will do everything it can to help advocate for potentially deserved stipends for its families.
- Will my biological kids get along with my adopted children?
Prayer, education, and patience are the answers to many questions like this. Project 1.27 is also committed to provide support group opportunities for your biological children. Your children will follow your lead in accepting and loving new family members. Treat everyone the same - presents, privileges, etc. Using language that encourages these new relationships will also help. For example, when introducing your children, do not point out which ones are adopted and which ones are biological. Just say, "This is my son Jake and my daughter Rachel."
- Will legal issues in my past prevent me from being approved for adoption?
It is best to be very forthwith in your adoption application about any issue that might possibly come up from your past. It is true that you are under the microscope; it is like giving an accounting for your life. Though it may not seem "fair," it is for the protection of the children that the Counties are very careful. Think of it this way: if your child was going to be raised by someone else, what would you want to know about them? Specific concerns may be addressed to the Executive Director for private dialogue.
- Why is it so cheap to adopt through Project 1.27? What's the catch?
No catch. Project 1.27 charges a nominal administrative fee of $50. We expect God to pick up the rest of our administrative costs through the giving of others. We believe the adoptive family is giving enough as a parent. They will have to support the child for the rest of their lives - why front load them now? Think about it this way: if a person wants a service or product then they have to pay for it. If the child is the customer and they are the ones receiving the product (a forever family), then the child should be paying. This is impossible! In addition, the parent shouldn't pay either-they are the product, why should they pay for themselves? We believe that God will provide a substitutionary sacrifice. We trust that if God wants Project 1.27 to thrive, he will bring people with the means to provide the substitutionary dollar to keep Project 1.27 afloat. This is how adoption should really be.
The other fees of $350/family are for State/County court costs, background checks, birth certificates, etc. These fees are required by law and out of our control. These are average fees that any adoptive family is responsible for as a parent. And, you are eligible for a tax credit for these fees. Check out IRS Form 8839.
- Why should I go through Project 1.27 when I can just go straight to the County or another adoption agency?
Good question. A family that considers adopting straight through the County may encounter their own hurdles. Although not insurmountable, these families are still faced with the isolation of their effort. That is why most Christian church families considering adoption will be attracted to Project 1.27. We bring the foster adoption world straight to them in a church setting. We'll give orientations in a church sanctuary and with the State's support actually conduct all required training under a church roof with a Christian perspective. In addition, we can advocate for the families with the Counties.
Once a family has made a decision to adopt, many of them find it hard to get support. The Counties offer some classes, but the church is uniquely qualified to offer something distinctive - community! Imagine adopting a child through a Colorado county and coming home to your church whose members welcome you with open arms. Your friends have been preparing along with you for the event through training and prayer for you and your new family! Your kids go to Sunday school with teachers who understand your child's special needs and work to include them like any other kid. Some of the kids in their class are adopted also! Your friends bring you some dinners. You get to come to support groups with your other friends who also have adopted. In some cases you may even get practical help from professional service volunteers who want to make your life a little easier. (Some families have received bunk beds, basketball hoops, etc.) This community effort makes adopting through foster care a positive experience!
- What kinds of kids are available through the Colorado foster system?
Children coming out of the foster system vary in ages from 0-18 yrs old. However, the average age of a child in foster care is 9 yrs old. These kids represent the greatest need for loving homes. Many of our Project 1.27 families are adopting these very kids. Many of our families are able to adopt sibling groups as well. 15 year old children have only 3 years left until they are kicked out of the foster care and forced to go into life on their own. But will they stop needing parents the day they wake up and discover they have "aged out" of the system? Who will teach him how to navigate college or how to write a resume or buy a house? Who will walk her down the aisle? Parenting is a lifelong journey - it's never too late!
- What kinds of problems do they have?
Most children in foster care are there because they have experienced abuse or neglect of some type. The amount varies from child to child, and sometimes depends on the amount of time they have spent in the system. The average kid in the system is 8-years-old as has been in 4-7 foster homes.
Think of what that would do to you.
- Do I have to be a Super Christian/Perfect to adopt?
Most certainly not! In fact, if you think you have it all together then we recommend that you seek therapy. Bringing up any child is a difficult and rewarding job. It is a constantly humbling experience that can only be successful by recognizing our weaknesses and relying on the God of the Universe to show his strength in us. There will be tough times, and yes you will get hurt. But the risk is worth the rewards. Ask some of our adoptive families!
- Do I have to be a Christian to participate in Project 1.27?
There are many adoption programs and projects around the world. We choose to focus our efforts on one part of that effort. This is due to our logistical limitations and the uniqueness of the church community program. We facilitate successful adoptions between Christians in Churches and Children in the Colorado Foster Care system.
You do have to be a Christian to participate as an adoptive family. If you are married, one of you must be a Christian. You will fill out a Spiritual Questionnaire and go through a pastoral interview. We believe that faith in Christ is integral to our motivation and our ability to love and care for adopted children.
- What is a Home Study?
A Home Study is a report written by a licensed social worker about you and your family. The worker will come to your home for several visits to interview you and discuss your life - past and present, and how adding children will affect your life. The purpose of a Home Study is to evaluate you and your family as a potential adoptive home and a potential match for a child. The County/Agency you choose to go with will perform this service.
- Why do I feel like I'm shopping?
Wading through the "Type of Child" list where you have to determine what kind
of child you will and will not accept, and even discussing adoption in general,
can make you feel like you are picking out a car rather than a child. Though
we sympathize with these sentiments, the reality is that there are simply no
pretty answers or easy ways to discuss the issues at stake when considering adoption
in our culture. Rather than sweep expectations under the rug and then having
to deal with them in an inappropriate setting, it is better to get them on the
table for all family members. For example, perhaps a husband is open to a child
of another race, but the wife is not. These issues must be worked through before
putting a child in an unfair situation. When you fill out this form, be prayerful and include your whole family in the decision.
- What resources are available through Project 1.27?
Project 1.27 offers:
1) Adopt Core Training -12 hours (required)
2) Project 1.27 Core Training (Discipline, Love, Attachment, Faith) - 12 hours (required)
3)Support groups for families, parents, children (bio/adopt)
4) Parent organized potlucks 5) Donated Items
6) Relationships and Contracts with the Counties and Agencies of Colorado.
- I do not want to adopt myself, but how can I help those that do?
If you want to help support Project 1.27 there a number of ways to plug in. Come to
Orientation and join the Project 1.27 Support Team.
- How Can I Financially Support Project 1.27?
It only costs Project 1.27 a one-time $5000 donation to help place a child.
Here are some ways you can help:
1) Become a monthly donor
2) Sponsor one or more child's forever placement.
3) Donate for a specific project (New city, Family events, Gifts for families,classroom equipment, etc.)
If you wish to support us financially, please make checks payable to Project 127 and send to: Project 1.27, 2220 S. Chambers Rd, Aurora, CO 80014. Or call (303) 256-1225.
All donations made to Project 1.27 are tax deductible.
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