Foster Parents: Is there some "Act of '97" or something that tries to make a timely adoption?

Question

I'm trying to find out how long average foster care is for a child. I know it varies, but I was reading on a website for foster care that there was some kind of act that aides in the promptness of adoption for foster care children.

I'm interested in becoming a foster parent, but I don't think I would like a child to stay with me for years. A couple years would be okay, I just don't feel comfortable with a semi-permanent thing. (Just to enable a little bit of freedom for my families future.)

Answer 1

Most kids that are in the foster care system don't get adopted or aren't even in the system to get adopted. If you're a foster parent, you could have children in your home for all kinds of reasons. They could be there for a couple months or for years. If you're not in it for the long haul, then don't do it. Foster kids need consistency and stable homes. They already have enough of people not wanting them.

However, you might consider being a respite home. These are homes that take children in temporarily for a few different reasons, such as their foster parents taking a vacation. These homes usually have other children, as well, but they don't have to.