Crossroads is licensed by the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Our Wisconsin office is located on the second floor of the Hudson Municipal Building, often called the library building. From this location we can serve people who live in 29 western Wisconsin counties, the area surrounding Eau Claire, plus those who live in nearby Minnesota communities.
The Minnesota office and the Wisconsin office provide the same services -- free adoption information meetings, education, home studies, domestic and international placements, post-placement services, and lots of handholding during this wonderful and exciting process.
Prospective applicants who wish to visit in person are invited to an informational meeting held monthly at the Crossroads offices. The dates and times of these sessions are listed under News and Events section of this website. At this meeting, information about the agency and its services, its programs and sources of children is presented. Families are given the opportunity to ask questions. Written information covering the same material is given to families at this meeting or upon request by mail. Families who cannot attend the monthly informational meeting are welcome to schedule an individual appointment during business hours. Call 715-386-5550 or e-mail wisconsinoffice@crossroadsadoption.com for more information, to register for a group informational meeting, or to set up a personal informational meeting.
Prospective adoptive parents are required to attend two educational sessions. These sessions are held at the Crossroads office on a weekday evening beginning at 5 or 5:30 p.m. The first session introduces the family to the adoption process and paperwork needed to complete a home study. The family is asked to read articles. A bibliography of reading material on adoption is provided and pertinent books and articles are suggested. The second meeting gives an overview of what it is like to be an adoptive parent. Topics include racial and cultural identity, separation and attachment, child development, parenting the adopted child and the adjustment process in adoption. Crossroads continually offers an array of educational opportunities for the adoptive family such as parent panels, country specific gatherings, and guest speakers. The family is encouraged to participate in these additional educational opportunities.
When the first session has been completed, the adoptive parents s will contact their Adoption Counselor to schedule a meeting in their home. Adoptive parent s are required to write about themselves, following a guideline furnished by Crossroads, in regard to their upbringing, marriage relationship, support system, employment, neighborhood, health, spiritual beliefs, community involvement, knowledge and appreciation of cultural differences and parenting philosophy. The adoption study is completed by adoption counselor when the written material and all required documentation have been submitted. Supporting documentation includes such things as birth certificates , marriage certificate if applicable , divorce decrees if applicable , physician's reports , various police and law enforcement clearances, verification of medical insurance and letters of reference. Most adoption studies are completed within two to five months after application. The adoption study is reviewed by the adoptive parents to verify accuracy of information. The adoption study will be sent to the child source chosen by adoptive parent.
Once a child has been identified, there is a waiting time before the child enters the adoptive home. It may be a few days after birth if the child is placed through a US agency birth parent counseling program or several months if the child is referred in another country. This time is necessary to complete the legal work in the other state or country. Crossroads will visit the adoptive family after placement and is dedicated to providing families with ongoing support.
Crossroads provides the adoptive family with information necessary to begin the adoption finalization process. Crossroads provides the juvenile court with required reports and legal documents. The parents s and child appear in Court where the finalization request is heard and approved. This step is required to obtain a Wisconsin birth certificate. Under US law, children born in another country whose adoption by a U.S. citizen has been recognized by the CIS Citizenship and Immigration Service as a full adoption, become citizens upon entering the U.S.
Crossroads also assists with the legal process to obtain a Minnesota birth certificate for children born in another country who enter the US with a full adoption. Under US law, children born in another country whose adoption by a U.S. citizen has been recognized by the CIS Citizenship and Immigration Services as a full adoption, become citizens upon entering the U.S.
The Crossings newsletter is published quarterly by Crossroads. Complimentary copies are sent to adoptive families as well as Crossroads supporters.
Crossroads sponsors a number of culturally oriented support groups and educational seminars and encourages adoptive families to participate.
Crossroads is accredited by the Council on Accreditation. Accreditation attests that an organization is meeting the highest national standards for adoption.
Crossroads complies with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations including the Indian Child Welfare Act, Family Preservation, Interstate Compact and Citizenship and Immigration Service. Crossroads also complies with adoption laws in countries from which Crossroads places children.