Who are CMH-DCH Adoptive Families?
They are married couples or single adults with a special heart, patience, talent and expertise to care for children with severe disabilities and impairments.

What kinds of conditions do CMH-DCH children have?
They may be autistic, medically fragile, suffer from severe neurological impairments, require feeding or breathing tubes, need toileting assistance, require sign language to communicate, or be diagnosed with a pervasive development disorder.

What kinds of skills do I need to adopt these children?
It can be useful to have specialized medical training. Experience with special education students is also useful, as is having been raised in a family with an impaired child or sibling. Training in or experience with sign language, music therapy, child development, physical therapy, massage, and occupational therapy, are very helpful skills, too.

What makes this different from Special Needs Adoption?
The most important differences are the severity of the disability and the fact that the birth families have made the decision to release their children for adoption so their child can get the care they need. CMH/DCH children have not been abused or neglected by their birth families.

Do birth parents visit their child after the adoption?
Birth parents usually do visit on occasion and continue to have a very open and helpful relationship with the adoptive parents which includes phone calls,
emails, and visits.

What kinds of services will I get when I adopt through D.A. Blodgett for Children?
We coordinate the legal process for you and complete the Adoptive Family Assessment. We also provide specialized training on caring for your special needs child, setting boundaries, and communicating with birth parents. An active network of adoptive families, is available to answer your questions and provide practical advice as you embrace your commitment to raise a special child. Your family and your child is also supported by our social work staff.

Who pays for the medical bills and other services my child might need?
D.A. Blodgett for Children will help you access Adoption Subsidy, which will be available until the child is 19. We’ll also help you access Medicaid and other community resources and encourage you to look into what coverage your current health insurance may provide.

What areas of the state does this program serve?
D.A. Blodgett for Children holds the exclusive CMH/DCH contract and serves the entire State of Michigan including the Upper Peninsula.

How much does it cost to adopt a child through this program?
There is no charge to you. We believe that every child deserves the best permanent and loving home possible and we applaud your decision to utilize your skills this way -- to secure the best life possible for a special needs child.

How long does it take to be matched with a child?
The time it takes to adopt varies based on the individual child, when that child is referred to the Program and becomes legally available for adoption.

How do I get started?
Contact D.A. Blodgett for Children and ask to speak with someone about the CMH/DCH adoption program.