Foster and adoptive parents care for and address the physical, emotional, educational, developmental and spiritual needs of a child in a loving, family setting. They are instrumental in shaping the child’s future. Loving people from all walks of life can become foster or adoptive parents.

Foster children and children awaiting adoption range in age up to 18 years old. They are from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. These children are in need of love, shelter and mentorship. Given this, they will prosper and have the chance to thrive. The majority of children in care are teenagers and siblings, which is the hardest group to place in homes. 

Couples or single adults who are at least 21 years old are eligible. Foster and adoptive parent candidates must complete state licensing and training requirements, including a physical exam, and child abuse and criminal background checks.

After licensing, foster and adoptive parents continue to receive support. Through this support, they can continue to build their skills in ongoing development programs.

• Attend an orientation meeting and complete a basic screening questionnaire.
• Participate in a 30-hour training program called the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP).
• Complete a personal history interview conducted in your home by a case manager. The case manager will visit your home at least twice during and after the training period.  
• Complete required background screenings for criminal history or reports of child abuse.
• Participate in home and health inspections. A medical exam or doctor’s statement may be required for applicants under a physician’s care, or with a physical or mental health disorder.
• Complete character references, including personal and employment references.  School references are required if you have school-age children at home.

It is not required to be a foster parent before adopting. However, adoption is often a choice for foster parents. In fact, about one-fourth of the children placed in foster care are later adopted by their foster parent. 

With all adoptions, a case manager will assist the adoptive family with the pre- and post- adoption requirements and the legal transfer of the child into the home. The case manager will assess the child’s adjustment to the home during monthly visits and assist with the coordination of services. When the family and the child are ready to finalize the adoption, an attorney will schedule a formal hearing before a judge. 

Because families of these children suffer from four or more major life challenges at once, they need help navigating many complex bureaucracies and a bewildering array of service systems.

Family Services helps by coordinating across systems to get the most vulnerable families the help they need when and where they need it most. We are funded to serve nearly 10,000 children and their families each year, leaving behind more than 20% of those who desperately need our help.