Learning About Foster Care

November is National Adoption Month! The purpose of National Adoption Month is to spread awareness about the children in foster care and their need for loving, permanent families. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families reports that there are 115,000 children -- yes, over one hundred thousand kids -- in our foster care system that need, want and deserve adoptive families. Keep reading for more information about National Adoption Month, our foster care system and how you or someone you know might be able to make a difference in a child's life.

Foster Care mom and son

While many people touched by the different forms of adoption -- international and infant domestic, for example -- celebrate National Adoption Month, the original intended purpose is to spread awareness about adopting from the U.S. foster care system.

"You don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent"

The theme of National Adoption Month this year conveys a strong message: "You don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent." If you're a dedicated mom, you know this is the truth! None of us are perfect, but we're probably perfect for our children. We strive to be and do our best and that's what matters. The same belief applies to fostering and adopting from the foster care system.

Foster parent qualifications

The theme really is true: You don't have to be perfect! Who's perfect, anyway? While AdoptUsKids notes that requirements vary between states, several premises hold true.

To adopt from foster care, you do not have to:

  • Own your home
  • Be "young"
  • Be wealthy
  • Be married
  • Be an at-home parent

To adopt from foster care, you should possess these characteristics:

  • Maturity
  • Stability
  • Flexibility
  • Dependability
  • An ability to -- and interest in -- advocating for a child

The adoption process

Again, the process to adopt varies between states, but very generally, AdoptUsKids notes that you must complete assessment and licensing requirements. The process includes a homestudy -- think, a lot(!) of paperwork -- and education classes.

Some of the requirements to adopt are as follows:

  • Minimum age
  • Income verification. Your income must simply meet your expenses.
  • Criminal record check at the local, state and federal levels. This includes finger printing. You cannot have a record of child abuse or neglect.
  • Letters of recommendation from your employer and people who know you
  • Doctor's reference letter. You don't have to be in perfect health, but you need to be able to care for a child.

Other considerations:

  • Cost: AdoptUsKids states that generally, there is no cost to the adoptive parents
  • Time: Start to finish, from the time you begin your paperwork to the point a child is placed with you, the process generally takes 12 months. Finalization of the adoption usually occurs six months after placement. As with everything, these timeframes can vary between states.

Learn more

If you're interested in learning more about adopting from the foster care system, start with the resources below.

State specific details: Click on your state at the bottom of the page to learn about your state's foster care system

How to Foster and Adopt: A step-by-step overview of the process

National Foster Parent Association: A non-profit, volunteer organization that supports foster parents

Don't be discouraged!

The adoption process from the foster care system can seem overwhelming, that's for sure. However, many of the great things in life require effort and commitment. If you are truly interested in becoming a foster parent, don't be discouraged by the process or paperwork. Reach out to an agency or your state's foster care office. There are plenty of people to help educate you and guide you through the process.

Check back this month for more information about other types of adoption as well as a few personal experiences as we focus on National Adoption Month!

Tags:

More From SheKnows Explorer

Comments

Comments on "Spreading awareness: National Adoption Month"

Kuldeep Rajput November 24, 2010 | 10:03 PM

The adoption is the heavenly thing that a person or family to an orphan, so many children need this and i like it...........

Aarti November 24, 2010 | 9:26 PM

Before adoption the husband and wife relation relation is necessary because if they are good with each other then only they can be good with the adopted child.

amjad November 24, 2010 | 6:59 AM

November is National Adoption Month, a month set aside each year to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care.

navakanth November 24, 2010 | 4:00 AM

The adoption is the heavenly thing that a person or family to an orphan, so many children need this and i like it,.,.,.,.

Irshad November 23, 2010 | 11:01 PM

The adoption is the heavenly thing that a person or family to an orphan. This blog helps to think about adoption.

sinto chacko November 23, 2010 | 12:57 AM

Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another

PONGADADAI November 22, 2010 | 11:40 PM

Even though they get away with it, that doesn't mean you can. It is extremely dangerous and can easily get you a criminal record. Pete Bethune was fined for piracy when he boarded a whaling vessel called the Shonan Maru

Manjit November 22, 2010 | 8:51 PM

Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another

banasree1992 November 22, 2010 | 5:57 PM

Please give us more information regarding the national adoption month and adoption. And would would surely be very much helpful to us.

Melinda November 04, 2010 | 10:09 AM

Thank you for sharing information about National Adoption Month! So many children need safe, permanent homes where they can thrive. Spreading awareness about adoption options is a great way to get more people involved to help children who need homes.

Brandy November 02, 2010 | 9:04 AM

It's great to see a well-rounded piece that focuses on the purpose of National Adoption Awareness Month. It's so sad that the industry as a whole has turned it into something it was never intended to be and in the process, takes the focus off those who need the exposure the most. Great piece.

+ Add Comment


(required - not published)