November 05, 2019

What Do You Know About Adopting From Foster Care?

Percentages of adoptions from foster cost have climbed over the last few years, but there are still nearly half-million children and young adults in the foster care system, according to Children’s Rights. Almost 6% of children have been in the foster system for at least five years, without a family to call their own. It’s not usually what people first think of when they consider embarking on their adoption journey, but adopting from foster care can be easier and more affordable, and it does serve a particular and vital need. 

While each state has its adoption laws, the general process for adopting from foster care remains the same. Adopting from foster care is often a more economical option, and prospective parents are screened to ensure they can provide a stable home for the child’s emotional, physical, and mental health, and educational and basic needs. 

Families that adopt from a public agency often incur no costs. If you decide to adopt through a private agency, you will incur expenses set by that agency. You can plan to spend about nine to eighteen months completing the entire process: orientation, preparation, and home study requirements. According to Adoptive Families, in 2014, children spent about 12 months in foster care, from the termination of parental rights to the finalization of the adoption. Many families opt to recoup some of their expenses via the federal adoption tax credit. 

One type of adoption is not considered potentially more successful than the other. All adoption plans endeavor to provide a home and family for a child in need, and it’s crucial to secure post-adoption support as part of your adoption process. If you’re choosing to adopt from the foster care system, connect with other local parents who’ve done the same. There are nuances to every type of adoption process, and part of being prepared is ensuring that you have a community around you who can make you feel safe and cared for, and who understands what you and your family are going through.

Finding support for your child is essential, as well. It’s an emotional and monumental experience to find a new family as an older child or teenager, and there are no guidebooks for this transition. The more they are surrounded with support, empathy, and guidance, the better.