How hard is it to foster/adopt a child?

Question

i been looking into this awhile, its something ive planned on since 4th grade....i want to go thru a fostering agency b/c we dont have the money for adopting any other way....after we become foster parents how hard is it to be placed with a child with potential to be adopted.....i understand a foster home is temorary but sometimes they get to adopt the child......any info is appreciated.

Answer 1

We are doing this right now you can email me for more info

Basically it depends on how picky you are age s*x development, temperment, etc.

You can also adopt kids that have already went for permanent custody and still in foster care.  They continue to live in their foster home and they introduce them to you  slowly.  You can also foster and if they go permenant custody they ask you first if you want to adopt  

Answer 2

There are 2 different options. You can become certified as foster to adopt and take only children who are in the permanent custody of the courts (birth parents already lost all rights) with the intention of adopting them if everything works out. Another option is to just be foster parents but explain that you would like to adopt and ask for children who's cases have the potential for permanent custody. The 2nd way could be much more heartbreaking for you, because you will likely foster some children who you want to adopt but cannot because they are reunified with their biological family, however you will be doing a great thing by helping these children when they need it and also working toward adopting a child. It is very important to remember that if you adopt a child that has been permanently removed from their parents for any reason, there may be some developmental and behavioral issues to deal with. These children need help more than any other children so I don't want to discourage you from doing this, but please be prepared so you don't end up getting overwhelmed. You could ask for babies or young children only or you could take children of any age. I work for CPS and there are so many children out there that need adoptive homes that are older or have issues or whatever the situation may be so if you have it in your heart to help them please do.  

Answer 3

You will need to complete paperwork and a homestudy and, in most states, complete a training course. After that, you wait. Most states have a 'foster-to-adopt' program. This allows you to foster a child who the state 'feels' will eventually need permenent placement. You can request a certain aged child, or any number of factors, but any time you make specifics you will wait longer for a child who meets your wants and desires. If you think about it, you don't get to choose the looks, s*x, ability of a child you birth, so making stipulations on a foste/adoptive child is a bit unnecessary...

Anyway, some children will have severe emotional and/or physical scars, some will have disabilities. Many will be delayed, simply b/c they haven't had adequate care. Most children in foster care are completely lovable and wonderful children...you simply must be patient and loving and open to parenting in a way that meets their needs. Take care.

Answer 4

We did reunification in the hopes of adopting, because we wanted the best possible chance at getting a fairly younger child.  The ink was literately not dry when we got called about 4 children.  One of the ones that we initially took in we still have and are in the process of adopting him.  We have had him for 2 1/2 years and are just barely starting the adoption process!  Good luck and have lots of Patience

Answer 5

You need to let your agency or social worker know that you are looking for fostering with a view to adopt.

By doing this, they can place you with a child that needs a permanent placement.

Answer 6

I'm currently fos-adopting a wonderful child. It is a bit of a trial, but well worth it if you play the game right. The home study is a little up-close and personal. They ask some really personal questions about every tiny aspect of your life and past, but hardly anyone will read it and they are very understanding.  If you want to only adopt, make sure that you make that very clear from the beginning because the social workers may pressure you to take kids not ready for adoption. We told them we only wanted kids ready to be adopted and we held out until they found one. Also, make specific guidelines that you stick to in regards to age, health, and any other issue you care about. They will offer you every kid in the books.  We were offered many kids that didn't fit our guidelines, but finally, the right kid came along and it has worked out wonderfully. Follow all of their instructions and cooperate, even if you don't like what they tell you to do, because the kid isn't yours until you sign the paper work and have your court date. It's a wonderful way to adopt. The financial aspect is amazing. Instead of paying $20,000 or $30,000, the county actually pays you to adopt the kids who need rescuing. It's a wonderful service to the child and you are so blessed for the effort.

Answer 7

Based on our experience and the experience of many of our friends is is not difficult to foster-to-adopt.  Often, you hear horror stories, and the organizations who handle foster/adopt will tell you these stories to prepare you for the worst.  But, ultimately, if you are a good and responsible person, you should have no problems.  Here are a few comments based on our experience.

- Listen to what they say in the foster certification classes about handling the emotional issues and behavior problems in foster children.  Many of these kids were neglected or worse, and are in a bad situation of being in a stranger's home.  We are experienced parents (2 bio children) and it was tough, I don't know how first time parents can handle some of the tougher stuff.

- It took a year to get our first 'long term' placement.  Then it was six months of touch and go as we waited for the case to be decided in the courts.  It was hard because we had no involvement in the case and so had no control and had to rely on others to tell us what was happening.  It was about another six months after that before the adoption was finalized.  So, it took us 2 years, but I know others who have taken much longer, it helps if you are willing to take older or minority children.

- Most CPS, CASA, and other social workers have very heavy case loads.  You have to be prepared to make several phone calls to get information and to move the case along.  Especially, once a case is 'settled' things tend to slow down because higher priority cases take over their attention.

- Document everything and follow all of the rules as a foster parent.  We learned this the hard way, thankfully, it didn't impact the adoption, but there was a time when something as small as an undocumented scratch (on a toddler boy who played outside every day) almost cost us our chance to adopt two wonderful boys.

- It is all worth it.