Family Services subscribes to the philosophy that every child has the right to a permanent home. The welfare of the child is the primary consideration in adoption with the needs of the prospective parents being secondary. Furthermore, to reinforce this philosophy, a thorough adoptive applicant assessment must be completed before adoptive applicants are approved.

Adoption is the legal and social process whereby the relationship of parent and child is created between persons not related by birth.

All adoption services must be in compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare licenses the agency and all adoption services provided are in compliance with existing social service regulations as established by statute.

A program providing for the placement of infants with loving couples who have completed the adoptive assessment program. Funding is derived from placement fees.

Individuals who were previously adopted through Family Services of NW PA and are 18 years of age or older, may contact the agency to request an Adoption Search. An Adoption Search is when information is provided to an adoptee within the constraints of the Adoption law.

Family Services of NW PA is licensed to complete homestudies for individuals or couples who are in the process of adopting an identified child through a private arrangement with the birth family. Counseling services can be arranged for the birth family to assist them through the adoption process.

Family Services of NW PA is licensed to complete international homestudies for individuals or couples interested in adopting a child from another country. The requirements for the homestudy are different based on the country of choice.

The agency recruits and assesses families who wish to adopt children available through any Office of Children & Youth Services in the state of Pennsylvania. The children are of all ages and may have a history of physical or sexual abuse or neglect. They may have medical or educational limitations or emotional problems.

Family Services of NW PA is a SWAN approved agency that is authorized to provide Post Permanency Services to any family that provided permanency to a child.