Foster Care Adoption

According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, there are over 400,000 children in foster care, 100,000 of whom are available for immediate adoption.  America’s foster care/dependency system is overburdened, understaffed, and underfunded. Inexcusably, children die while in foster care and it is not uncommon for states to incur multimillion-dollar judgments for failing to protect children in foster care.

Many children wait five years to be adopted if they are adopted at all. During that wait, children are often shifted multiple times between foster homes, losing connections to schools, teachers, friends, neighbors, and foster parents. Tens of thousands of children in foster care age out of the system without a forever family.  These young adults exit foster care simply because they are too old to remain in care. Without family or any dependable adults to rely on for assistance, foster youth are at high risk for homelessness, unemployment, illness, incarceration, welfare dependency, early childbearing, and sexual and physical victimization.     

IS FOSTER CARE ADOPTION AFFORDABLE?

While private forms of adoption can cost upwards of $40,000, adopting a child from foster care costs very little. The required adoptive parent training class and home study are provided free of charge or at low cost if you want the private sector to navigate this and advocate for you.  In addition, most adoptive parents who adopt a child from foster care are entitled to (a) a monthly subsidy until the child turns 18 years old; (b) health care for the child through the Medicaid program; and (c) a substantial federal adoption tax credit.

WHO CAN ADOPT A FOSTER CARE CHILD?

To be eligible to adopt from foster care, you can be married or single, already a parent or never a parent, in your 60s or in your 20s, an apartment renter or a homeowner, or a person of modest means or wealth. If you can love a child, provide the basics for a child, and make a lifelong commitment, you can be an adoptive parent. Some things will prevent you from becoming an adoptive parent, such as certain felony criminal records.

WILL I RECEIVE A COMPLETE HISTORY?

Yes. One of the benefits of adopting from the state is having access to a comprehensive case history. You will be given information on the child's medical background, foster placements, and developmental level. You will also be given insight into the child's personality, habits, hobbies, aspirations, likes and dislikes.

CAN THE PARENTS TAKE THE CHILD BACK?

No.  Children in foster care are not made available for adoption until a court has terminated parental rights. This form of adoption is very secure.

IS POST-ADOPTION SUPPORT PROVIDED?

Yes. The local community-based care agency provides assistance such as information and referral services, support groups, adoption-related libraries, case management and training.

WHERE DO I GET STARTED?

HOAA’S Hearts to Home Program is designed for families seeking to adopt from foster care and provides supportive resources and services unique to this system.

Contact HOAA at [email protected] to learn more.