How To Complete a Foster Care Adoption

Thousands of children in the foster care system currently await permanent homes. By becoming foster parents, your family can provide a child with a home, either temporarily or permanently. Adopting a child who is currently in foster care is called foster care adoption. Here's how to complete a foster care adoption:

1. Inquire about becoming a foster family. Contact the Department of Social Services in your state if you're interested in becoming a foster family or completing a foster care adoption. This agency will send you the information on qualifying for temporary foster care and foster care adoptions.
2. Complete the qualification process. Becoming foster parents before you can adopt a child from the system is often a lengthy process, requiring classes, training and a background check. A social worker will also conduct a formal home study. Be patient, because this process often takes several months.
3. Learn about the adoption process. Once your family has been approved, you will have the opportunity to view profiles of children who are currently in the system awaiting a home. Once you find a child who you are interested in caring for, the adoption process continues with pre-placement visits to make sure you are comfortable with the arrangement. Then, the child will move into your home. Finally, the adoption becomes legal through the courts. By knowing what to expect at every step of the way, the process will cause much less stress and anxiety for your family.
4. Consider your family's situation. Think about what kind of child would fit well into your current household and family situation. Consider the age, sex, race, needs, and behavior of the child. Some children who are in foster care do well with siblings, while others should be the only child in the home. You should be aware that many children in the foster care system may need special care, particularly due to past neglect or abuse, and some will be behind their peers academically or behaviorally. A child in the foster care system needs adoptive parents who are devoted to his or her unique needs.
5. Inquire about a specific child's situation. Not all foster children are available for adoption. In many cases, foster care is a temporary situation, and the children may be returned to his or her parent or adopted by another family member. The foster care agency can tell you if the situation is a good fit for you if you're looking to complete a foster care adoption.
6. Schedule pre-placement visits. After you have made the decision to pursue a foster care adoption for a particular child whose profile you have read, pre-placement visits will be scheduled. This is your chance to get to know the child and determine whether they would be a good fit in your existing household.
7. The child moves in. If the pre-placement visits have gone well, the child will join your family by moving into your home. Now, you'll be waiting for a court date to make the adoption official. In some cases, the child may be placed as a temporary foster child with your family first, before you decide whether to adopt them and make them a permanent part of your family.
8. The adoption is legalized. The adoption becomes final through a court process. Continue to work on building family ties during this crucial time.
9. Post adoption support. After the adoption is final, you will continue to receive support services from a social worker, who will continue to assist your family following the adoption for at least a year.

Completing a foster care adoption is a lengthy process, but of course it is very rewarding. If you are looking to adopt, consider becoming a foster parent to adopt from the foster care system. Your state's Department of Social Services can walk you through the process of adopting through the foster care system.