How do I go about adopting a child from Hawaii through foster care if I live in Virginia ?

Question

I am really interested in adopting a child through foster care from Hawaii

Answer 1

I am somewhat distressed by this question.  Why not adopt from Virginia?  If you adopt from Hawaii, that child will be very severed from his/her extended family and, most likely, culture.  I don't see that as doing him/her any big favors.

If you have a special affinity for the Hawaiian culture, why not move there?

Answer 2

If you're interested in adopting a foster child (and it sounds like this is a specific one) you need to be in discussions with the foster parents and the social worker and you'll have to work through the system.

Answer 3

If you have a specific child in mind you need to find out from the State if they are free for adoption.  If so then you would hae to contact VA social services and ask them for a Home Study.  All the while you need to be in contact with the childs Caseworker.  You and the Caseworker need to be on the same page and this Caseworker needs to initiate a Interstate COmpact Agreement...this can take a little time but can be done concurrently withthe HOme Study.  Once these documents are complted then you can take the child into your home and finalize the adoption through the VA (not sure about Hawaii) courts.