Considering Adoption

After you’ve been approved to adopt or foster, it can take some time until a child is placed with you. During that time, it can help to stay active in the adoption and foster care community and build your knowledge and readiness to parent a child who has experienced trauma and loss. Below are a… More

The frequently asked questions (FAQ) section is organized into four categories: Pre-placement concerns Siblings Financial issues Geography Pre-Placement Concerns   I saw a child on the Internet I’d like to adopt. What should I do next? Before you can adopt any child, you must go through the orientation, training, and home study process. If you… More

Abandonment When a parent does not physically, emotionally, or financially support his or her child. A signed relinquishment or surrender of parental rights constitutes legal abandonment. Abuse Harm inflicted on a person through physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual means; may cause victim to develop emotional or behavioral problems, some of which may not appear until… More

Bring Your Child Home Children who are placed for adoption through public agencies may move in with an adoptive family as soon as the parents complete required pre-placement visits and are approved to adopt—provided the timing is not unnecessarily disruptive to the child’s schooling or other activities. When a new child is placed in your… More

When you are considering a particular child for adoption placement, there’s a lot you should learn to help you make an informed decision. Below are the types of information you should ask about, but keep in mind that much of the information won’t be shared until you are very seriously considering a particular child for… More

Begin the Search If you adopt through an agency, ask how the agency will conduct a search. What criteria do they use to match children with families? Are they willing to search outside your immediate area for a child or youth? If you become interested in a child or youth from another state, will the… More

  Decide the Type of Adoption to Pursue Even if you have already decided to adopt a child from foster care, you must still make a number of choices about your adoption. Most importantly, you need to decide what type of child you are able to parent: What disabilities and challenges (physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral)… More

  Gather Information About Adoption Begin the process by learning about adoption so you can determine if adoption is right for your family. While the process can be time consuming, it is necessary for ensuring the safety and well being of children. The steps in the process help prepare you to nurture and support the… More

Consider the Types of Adoption The requirements, costs, and timing vary between and within the different types of adoption. There are four basic types of adoption (other than step-parent adoption): Adoption from foster care Domestic private adoption International adoption Independent adoption Adoption from Foster Care An adoption of a child in the custody of the state… More

The following nine qualities (which have been adapted from the work of Linda Katz) are often found in many successful foster and adoptive parents. Sometimes professionals look for these characteristics when they recruit prospective parents. Take the time to note the qualities that you may already have and learn why they are important. Then, strive… More

More than any thing, children in foster care need parents who are willing to accept them as they are, and to help them heal so they can reach their potential. As a prospective foster and adoptive parent, you are ready and willing to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care. One… More

Assertive people know who they are, what their values are, and how to ask for and work for what they want. As you start the process of becoming a foster, adoptive, or resource parent, you begin your journey of becoming an advocate for yourself and the children you will parent. Before you start, it will… More

    A Young Person’s Perspective As you wait, think about the children and youth who will become part of your family. Think about how your family will feel to them and how you can make a possibly difficult transition easier by keeping an open mind and planning how you will take them in. As… More

Concurrent planning makes a promise to a child: When you enter foster care you will be placed with only one family and that family will see you through reunification with your family, or if reunification is not safe or possible, the foster family will adopt you. It’s can be hard on the parents but it’s… More

Why Some Parents Wait Longer As a prospective foster or adoptive parent, you may feel frustrated waiting for a child placement, especially when you hear ads recruiting new foster or adoptive parents and you have been approved for a long time. One of the reasons why parents wait so long is they are waiting for… More

In the US, more than 100,000 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted. In Canada, thousands of children are waiting. Much like so many other children—they love to play, they have friends and siblings and pets, they both succeed and struggle in school. Most importantly, they need a family of their own. If… More