THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY ON ‘HOLD’ FOR EVALUATION. WE DO NOT HAVE A RE-START DATE AT THIS TIME.
Can You Adopt a Child in Foster Care in Another State?
Adopting from another state’s foster care system is a great option for families wanting to adopt older children or a sibling group. Children in foster care deserve a safe, loving and permanent family. There are more than 400,000 children in foster care in the United States. While the goal for many of these children is to be reunited with their birth families or relatives, a large number of these children are in need of adoptive homes. Children in foster care range from infancy to 18 years old, with the median age being 8 years old. Adoption Choice, Inc. can assist individuals, couples and families looking to adopt from the foster care system in states other than Wisconsin.How do you find children who need permanent families?
Often, a child will be identified online through photo listings. Families can inquire about multiple children at one time in order to have more opportunities. If a child’s caseworker believes that a family would be a good fit for that child, the family will be presented at a matching conference. This matching conference includes members of the child’s team and determines the family that will be the best fit for that child. The meeting is typically held via phone conference but can also be held in person. The family is usually represented by their adoption counselor. In some instances, however, the family will present themselves at these meetings.What are the costs for foster care adoption?
Adopting from the foster system can be of little to no cost to the adoptive family and many expenses are reimbursed by the sending state. Typically a family will travel at least once to meet the child before they can bring the child home with them. When a child is living in a different state from their adoptive family, both states must give approval through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). Adoption Choice, Inc. can conduct the home study, help facilitate matching conferences and connections to other states, and provide post placement services.What types of children are in foster care?
The median age of foster children is eight years. However, available children range from toddler to teens and can be single or part of a sibling group. Children come into care for a reason and typically come from hard places or have had a difficult past. Because of their histories, children can often have behavioral issues and academic delays. Families considering this type of adoption should be mature, dependable, flexible, and stable. They must be willing to meet a child where they are at and willing to spend a great deal of time bonding and developing trust. This will not happen overnight and families must be willing to advocate for their child’s needs, accepting of other’s help, and willing to admit when they need more support.How do I get started?
A home study and pre-adoptive education is required for adopting from foster care. Adoption Choice, Inc. is able to guide you through the process and conduct your home study. The first step is to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the agency and the home study process. Click here for the schedule of free meetings.Resources
- A Family for Every Child: This agency is focused on finding loving and permanent homes for children in foster care.
- Adopt US Kids: This site contains photo listings of children in foster care across the U.S. who are available for adoption. Also provides a variety of resources.
- The Adoption Exchange: This site contains photo listings of children also. Children on this site are located in specific states and most are over the age of 9 years, with sibling sets common.
- Wendy’s Wonderful Kids: As a part of the Dave Thomas Foundation, this program works with recruiters throughout the U.S. to place children for adoption. These are typically children who have been waiting the longest for adoptive home.
- Adopt America Network: This organization partners with hundreds of public and private agencies to place children into adoptive homes.