Foster and adoption questions?

Question

How old do you have to be to be a foster parent?

what is the process and time schedule of becoming a foster/adopt family?

can you be single or rent an apartment?

Is it really hard to adopt

is it expensive to adopt

is it REALLY long to adopt?

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure you only have to be 18 to be a foster parent, but don't quote me on that.

We didn't go through the process to become approved as foster parents, but I hear that process is faster than becoming approved to adopt through the state.  It took us about 8 months to complete all our paperwork, classes, the homestudy, etc. for adoption.

I believe you can foster/adopt as a single parent, but I'd advise against it unless you have a great support system with people you trust willing to give you respite care.  That's my two cents.

I'm almost positive you can be in an apartment.

It's not really "hard" to adopt [through the foster care system], but it is a long, grueling, soul-searching process well worth the time and effort if you're in this to provide a home for a child who needs one (which it sounds like you are).

It is free in most states to adopt through the foster care system, and very inexpensive in others.

The time frame varies widely.  I've had friends who only waited 8 months (that's after becoming approved, so a total of about 16 months, including the application process), but we've been waiting over a year and a half since we were approved (adding in the time for the application process, it's been 27 months).  It depends on SO many things.  Are you wanting to adopt an older child (the wait time will probably be less), a child who has severe issues (the wait time will probably be less), and/or a child with a disability (the wait time will probably be less)?  It also depends on your background and qualifications.  But the #1 factor in how long it takes is whether or not a caseworker chooses you as a potential parent for the child they're placing for adoption.  Children are placed with families based on what would be best for the child, so you just never know.  The caseworker will make the decision based on what they believe to be the best choice for that child.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Keep in mind that in each state, the detaila may vary, but in general:

1. You must only be 18 to become a foster parent.

2. My training for becoming a foster parent took about 3 months.  We were offered a first placement almost immediately.

3. You can be single and you do not have to own your own home.  You simply must be stable, pass a home inspection and a back ground check and have anyone else living in your home pass a background check as well.

4. The difficulty in adopting varies depending on what you are looking for.  Both of my daughters' adoptions were finalized within about a year and a half of their initial foster placement with us.  However, we were not actively persuing adoption during all of that time.  There is a significant amount of paperowrk involved, but we did not consider it to be "hard".

5. Adoting an infant can be expensive and time consuming, however all of our adoption costs were covered by the state since we adopted older children from foster care.

6. See my answer to questions 4 & 5.

Answer 3

you asked this same question about 3 times today.

Answer 4

you already asked this question. it all depends on the state you live in really check and find out if you really want to know