Foster to Adopt: How to Start Your Forever Family

With over 390,000 children currently in foster care, it’s easy to see how crucial foster care is to providing kids and teens with a loving and caring home.

Foster care is meant to be a temporary solution with the goal of reuniting children with their families. However, foster care may also be  the path to permanent adoption, known as “foster care adoption.”

What is Foster Care Adoption?

Foster care adoption is the permanent adoption of a child in foster care.

• Foster care adoption is different from the temporary foster care system. It represents a stable, reliable placement for children in care.
• Foster care adoption provides children and teens with long-term love and support when parental reunification isn’t possible.
• Adoption from foster care can also be a simpler choice for families unable to afford the costs of traditional adoption. 

If you’re thinking about adopting children in care as a current or future foster parent, you may have many questions, such as:

• What is the foster care adoption process?

• What is the average cost of adoption in the US?

• Can I adopt a baby from foster care?

• What age gets adopted the least?

The Foster Care Adoption Process: Part One, Becoming a Foster Parent 

The timeline for the foster care adoption process may seem long. It can sometimes last as long as a year or more.

Foster care adoption starts with becoming a licensed foster parent. Before you can adopt, you’ll need to go through the fostering process.

This involves a thorough screening process for prospective foster parents, which includes background checks, home studies, and pre-service sessions to ensure the right fit between a foster family and a child in care. 

There are also ongoing support options provided by certain organizations whose mission is to help both parents and children in care.

However,  these steps help provide the best possible care to children in need. They also ensure there’s a good match between a family and a child in their care.

Gathering Information on Fostering and Adopting

It's best to have all the information you need before starting the fostering process. While fostering and adopting are fulfilling and joyful, it’s also a significant step — you’re responsible for a human life!

It’s important to understand what kids and teens in foster care are going through. Many may be living with trauma or the impact of neglect on their emotional and physical wellness.  

It can take time for any individual to work through. This also means it may take time for them to warm up to a new family. It’s all about being there for them, which Bill Ewolt, a Maryland foster parent, touches on in his letter to his child in care:

"Together, we will navigate this journey called life, and I am honored to be a part of your story."

You’ll also want to learn more about the adoption process itself. Blogs and government websites on foster care and adoption are great places to start. If you know anyone who has adopted a child through foster care, they can also be a valuable resource. 

Understanding the Requirements to Foster and Adopt

If you're considering adoption through foster care, it's helpful to understand both foster care and adoption requirements from the start. While the basic requirements are similar, there are some key differences to keep in mind.

If you know adoption is your goal, you'll want to complete adoption-specific preservice sessions as well.

This extra preparation helps you understand:

• The unique challenges of adoption
• How to support a child through the transition
• Ways to build attachment and trust
• Legal aspects of adoption
• Available post-adoption resources

Being a foster parent first can help you build important skills for adoption. You'll learn about working with the child welfare system, supporting children who've experienced trauma, and building relationships with birth families.

Submitting Foster Parent Applications and Other Paperwork

The process itself starts with filling out an application to a local organization in your particular state. This application process helps determine if you are a good fit for foster care adoption. 

The foster parent application and paperwork involved will gather some of your personal information to conduct background checks. This ensures children in care are placed in a loving and nurturing home. 

All states require criminal and child abuse record checks to become a foster parent. In many states, the background investigation includes checking federal, state, and local criminal records. 

Don’t worry — if anything seems complicated, your local foster care organization or home study specialist can help guide you through the process. They will ensure you know what you need to do to move forward. Remember, they’re there to help! 

Preparing for a Home Study to Foster

Adopting a child from foster care includes an important process known as a home study. 

The home study ensures your home is a suitable and safe place for a child to live. Every foster family will undergo a home study.

It starts with interviews and checks to learn more about you and your family. Then, social workers will visit your home to see if it is a safe space for a child. Once these checks are done, your case worker will create a report, which includes information such as: 

• Education and employment
• Family background
• Social life and relationships
• Parenting experiences
• Home and neighborhood details
• References and background checks

It might seem like a lot. However, this process ensures the child will have a good home with the right parents.

Matching Families to Children in Foster Care

After the home study and applications are accepted, it’s time for the matching process — this is where your family will be matched to a child in foster care. 

There are several factors for organizations to consider when making a match. 

These factors include the unique needs and characteristics of the child in care, such as age, gender, and medical requirements. They also account for the child’s preferences. =

The prospective foster parents' strengths, abilities, and preferences are also taken into consideration. 

The matching process is another method for organizations to ensure a nurturing and supportive home that aligns with the child's needs. The goal is to find a family that can provide a loving and stable home, helping the child thrive.

Once a match is made, the child in care and the foster family may begin getting to know each other. 

This may involve supervised visits, phone calls, or  spending time together. These interactions allow a child in care and the family to become familiar with one another, build trust, and form a connection before moving toward placement.

Can I Adopt a Baby from Foster Care?

Adopting an infant from foster care is possible, but extremely rare. The order of priority in placement is typically parent-first, then relative, then existing foster parent.

While children can enter foster care as infants, and may be adopted by a foster parent, roughly 36% of children in foster care are age 11 or older.

• Babies that enter the foster care system are often only placed with foster families temporarily. The foster care system’s primary goal is reuniting babies with their parents when the time is right.
• Infants and toddlers in care are often placed with other family members first if reuniting with their parents is not possible.
• Additionally, individuals looking to adopt an infant may face longer wait times for placement. Many agencies already have a list of approved homes waiting to adopt a baby.

What Age of Child is Adopted the Least?

Unlike infants, older children may wait years to be adopted.

• Teens in foster care over the age of 14 tend to enter the foster care system for different reasons than younger children.
• Teens in care typically spend more time in long-term foster care without being adopted.
• These individuals are also more likely to age out of care without experiencing the benefits of a stable, permanent family.

While adopting a teen from foster care presents different challenges than adopting younger kids in care, it is also a rewarding experience that can provide older children with a brighter future and better outcomes.

Part Two: Adopting a Child from Foster Care

If you're thinking about adopting a child from foster care, you're about to begin an amazing journey. 

While foster care focuses first on reuniting children with their birth families, sometimes adoption becomes best for a child's future. Let's walk through what this process looks like:

When Adoption Becomes Possible

Before a child can be adopted from foster care, they need to be legally ready to adopt. This usually happens when birth parents are no longer able to care for their child. 

A court makes this decision after careful consideration, or sometimes birth parents  give up their parental rights. 

Either way, the child's safety and wellbeing always come first.

An Updated Home Study Focused on Adoption

First, they'll help update your home study to focus on adoption instead of foster care. Think of this as refreshing your family's story. It helps everyone understand how you'll provide a forever home for a child.

Requirements and Paperwork to Become an Adoptive Parent

Next comes the paperwork. Don't worry – your agency will help you understand what forms you need and how to complete them. They'll make sure everything is in order before it goes to court.

Court Hearings

Speaking of court, you'll attend a few hearings during the adoption process. These meetings with a judge help everything go smoothly. 

The final hearing is a special day when the judge officially completes your family! Your child will get a new birth certificate and  have the same legal rights as if they were born into your family.

Support in Your Adoptive Journey

Throughout your adoption journey, you'll have plenty of support. Your agency will assign you an adoption specialist. Think of them as your guide – they can answer questions, point you to resources, and help solve problems.

You'll also meet other helpful people, like legal experts who ensure all the paperwork is done correctly.. Many agencies offer special training and support groups where you can meet other families who are adopting. These connections can be incredibly valuable as you build your forever family.

Foster Care Adoption Costs

Adoption outside of foster care is often expensive — for some families, typical adoption costs can rule them out of adoption altogether. Domestic adoptions can cost up to $45,000 in some cases. 

However, the good news is that foster care adoption is one of the least expensive adoption routes. 

The foster care adoption fee has three components:

1. Home studies
2. Legal fees
3. Home preparations

Foster care adoption costs range from completely free to around $2,500. 

Some states cover these three components. In others,  a minimal fee is required. 

For example, in California, public organizations may charge a fee of up to $500, with the possibility of additional fees for fingerprinting and medical examinations. However, there are also situations where these fees can be waived, and the adoption is free. 

Your best option is to consult a local organization in your state. 

Common Questions About Foster Care Adoption

You probably have lots of questions about adopting through foster care. 

Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often:

How long does it take to adopt from foster care?

Once a child is legally free for adoption, the process usually takes between 9 and 18 months. This time allows for important steps like paperwork and court dates and ensuring everyone is ready for this big change. 

What kind of support can we get after the adoption?

Many resources are available to help your family thrive:

• Someone to talk to when you need advice or support
• Groups where you can meet other adoptive families
• Assistance in finding services your child might need
• Training to help you understand your child's needs
• Financial help for certain expenses
• Health care coverage for your child

Can siblings be adopted together?

Yes! Whenever possible, agencies try to keep brothers and sisters together. If you want to adopt siblings, talk with your agency early in the process. They can help you understand what it takes to welcome multiple children into your home.

What if our child wants to stay in touch with their birth family?

It's natural for children to have questions about their birth family. 

Your agency will help you understand how to talk about adoption with your child in a healthy way. Sometimes, families stay in touch with birth relatives if it's safe and helpful for the child. Other times, families might save information for when their child is older. 

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. It's about what works best for your child.

What can we do to prepare for adoption?

Here are some helpful ways to get ready:

• Learn about trauma and how it might affect children
• Talk with other families who have adopted
• Make sure your home is ready for a child
• Build a support network of friends and family
• Ask your agency about learning opportunities
• Start learning about your child's background and needs

How much does it cost to adopt from foster care?

One of the best things about foster care adoption is that it's very affordable. Most families pay little to nothing in fees. 

However, depending on your state, you may have to pay some legal fees. Consult your agency for the most accurate information!

Get Your Foster to Adopt Questions Answered by an Expert

Whether you decide to become a foster parent or foster to adopt, no question is too big or too small.

Get answers specific to you and your life circumstances. Talk to a foster care expert for personalized insights, next steps, and what you can expect when starting the foster parenting process. 

Get Advice from a Foster Care Expert →