State Adoption Information Websites

State Adoption Information Websites

Series: Related Organizations Lists
Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway

Website links to adoption information provided by State child welfare agencies in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. The list also includes State models of practice and curricula for training foster, adoptive, and/or kinship families and information and links to other trainings, as available. If you are aware of other State-specific programs, please contact Child Welfare Information Gateway at OrganizationUpdates@childwelfare.gov.

For State-specific summaries of laws on Home Study Requirements for Prospective Parents in Domestic Adoption and Home Study Requirements for Prospective Foster Parents, please visit our State statutes search page.

Alabama Department of Human Resources
Alabama
Phone: (334) 242-1310
Toll-Free: (866) 425-5437
Prospective adoptive parents are required to attend 30 hours of classroom training, the Trauma-Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence (TIPS). TIPS is a 10-week curriculum that prepares families to make an informed decision about becoming an adoptive family. More information is available on the Children's Aid Society of Alabama website .
nadid: 24972
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Alaska
Phone: (907) 465-2145
Toll-Free: (800) 478-7307
Core training information is available on the Alaska Center for Resource Families website .
nadid: 26374
Arizona Department of Child Safety
Arizona
Toll-Free: (877) 543-7633)
Foster parents are required to complete 6 actual hours of approved initial foster parent training. Information about foster parent orientation is available on the Arizona Department of Child Safety website.
nadid: 30305
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Arkansas
Phone: (501) 682-8770
Prospective foster/adoptive parents must complete a minimum of 30 hours of Foster Adopt Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) preservice training.
nadid: 26375
California Department of Social Services
California
Phone: 1-800-952-5253 or (916) 651-8848
The California Department of Social Services website provides information about the Parenting Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) training.
nadid: 26376
Colorado Department of Human Services
Colorado
Phone: (844) 264-5437
Phone: (303) 866-3209
The Colorado Department of Human Services requires 12 hours of CORE training. Specific information about adoption training may be found on the CO4Kids website .
nadid: 26377
Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
Delaware
Phone: (302) 633-2658
Phone: (302) 633-2655
Prospective foster parents are required to participate in 27 hours of pre-service Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) training.
nadid: 26380
District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency
District of Columbia
Phone: (202) 442-6100
Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to participate in 30 hours of pre-service training for foster parent licensing and adoptive parent approval. The District of Columbia Child and Families Services Agency uses the Trauma Informed Partnering For Safety and Permanence Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) training curriculum for prospective foster/adoptive parents.
nadid: 26379
Florida Department of Children and Families
Florida
Toll-Free: (800) 96-ADOPT
Adoptive parents are required to complete a minimum of 21 hours of preservice training. Details about approved training curricula may be found on the Florida Department of Children and Families website .
nadid: 748
Georgia Department of Human Services
2 Peachtree Street NW
19th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Toll-Free: 1-877-210-KIDS (5437)
Prospective foster/adoptive parents must successfully complete 23 hours of the IMPACT Family Centered Practice pre-service training. More information about IMPACT is available on the DCFS website .
nadid: 26382
Hawaii Department of Human Services
Hawaii
Phone: (808) 586-4993
Prospective resource families are required to attend a 15-hour pre-service training, called HANAI. Partners In Development Foundation-Hui Ho’omalu is contracted by the department to provide the training.
nadid: 26384
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Idaho
Phone: (208) 334-5690
Toll-Free: (800) 926-2588
Prospective foster/aoptive parents are required to attend the PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) 27-hour pre-service training.
nadid: 26385
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Illinois
Toll-Free: (800) 572-2390
Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to complete the Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) model for the development and support of resource families. Information is available on the Virtual Training Center.
nadid: 26087
Indiana Adoption Program
3610 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Toll-Free: (855) 677-5437
Prospective resource parents are required to complete no less than 10 hours of pre-service training. Indiana uses the Resource and Adoptive Parent Training (RAPT) which consists of 4 components. More details about the pre-service training may be found in the RAPT curriculum.
nadid: 24877
Iowa Department of Human Services
Iowa
Phone: (515) 281-8799
TTY: (800) 972-2017
Prospective foster parents are required to complete 30 hours of foster parent training offered or approved by the Department of Human Services. Iowa uses the Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP), a 30-hour, interactive group format led by a team of two facilitators. Four Oaks Foster & Adoptive Family Connections is contracted by the Iowa Department of Human Services to recruit, train, license and support Iowa’s foster and adoptive families. For more information, please view the Four Oaks website.
nadid: 26388
Kansas Department for Children and Families
Kansas
Phone: (833) 765-2003
Toll-Free: 1-888-369-4777
TTY: (785) 296-1491
Trauma Informed for Safety and Permanence Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) is the preservice training for all prospective foster and adoptive parents in Kansas. Specific information is available on the Children's Alliance of Kansas website.
nadid: 26389
Kentucky Foster Adoptive Caregiver Exchange System
275 East Main Street, 3C-E
Frankfort, Kentucky 40621
Toll-Free: (800) 232-5437
Prospective foster/adoptive parents must successfully complete training requirements, which include an informational meeting, 15 hours of preparation training, and web-based trainings. More information is available on the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services website .
nadid: 1604
Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services
Louisiana
Phone: (888) 524-3578
TTY: (844) 224-6188
All prospective foster/adoptive parents must complete a pre-service training to be certified. Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) is the training curriculum for prospective foster/adoptive parents in Louisiana. Training generally consists of seven 3-hour sessions. More details about foster care qualifications and steps may be found on the Louisiana Department of Children and Families website .
nadid: 26391
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
2 Anthony Avenue
Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: (207) 624-7900
Fax: (207) 287-5282
Prospective resource and adoptive parents are required to complete an introductory training program for foster parents or its equivalent offered or approved by the Department of Health and Human Services prior to being licensed. The Office of Child and Family Services is currently partnered with A Family for ME to recruit new resource and adoptive families. A Family for ME provides prospective resource and adoptive parents with information regarding licensing, training, and the fostering process, including live information sessions.
nadid: 26392
Maryland Department of Human Services
311 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Toll-Free: (800) 332-6347
TTY: (800) 735-2258
Prospective resource parents are expected to complete 27 hours of licensing training along with 10 hours of annual training to ensure that they remain competent and up-to-date with the most recent knowledge and skills available to care for children placed in their home. More details about training requirements may be found on the DHS website.
nadid: 29640
Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE)
19 Needham Street
Suite 206
Newton, Massachusetts 02461
Phone: (617) 964-6273
nadid: 29990
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
Massachusetts
Phone: (617) 748-2267
The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families provides a training program, the Massachusetts Approaches to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) to enhance parenting skills that help prospective parents meet the challenge of foster parenting. Details about training is available on the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families website.
nadid: 26394
Michigan Department of Human Services
333 S. Grand Avenue
P.O. Box 30195
Lansing, Michigan
Phone: (517) 241-3740
Toll-Free: 1(800) 589-6273
Prospective foster parents must attend 27 hours of training. Michigan uses the Parent Resources for Information Development and Education (PRIDE) curriculum. Training sessions usually last three hours per session. Find details at the DHHS website.
nadid: 26395
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Minnesota
Phone: (651) 431-2000
Toll-Free: (866) 303-6276
Minnesota families who wish to adopt may complete their preadoption education classes through Children’s Home Society .
nadid: 26396
Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services
PO Box 346
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
Phone: (601) 359-4368
Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to complete a minimum of 12 clock-hours of training. Rescue 100 is a collaborative effort between the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, the courts and churches representing all denominations across the state of Mississippi. These organizations work together to streamline the training and licensing process for foster/adoptive families.
nadid: 24013
Missouri Department of Social Services
Missouri
Toll-Free: (800) 526-8040
TTY: (800) 735-2966
All foster and adoptive parents are required to complete the Specialized Training, Assessment, Resources, Support and Skills (STARS) Program.
nadid: 26398
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Montana
Phone: (406) 841-2419
Prospective resource/adoptive parents are required to attend an orientation and preservice training of no less than 18 hours. The orientation and pre-service training currently used by the Child and Family Services Department is Keeping Children Safe and Families Strong .
nadid: 26401
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Phone: (402) 471-3121
Nebraska uses the Trauma Informed Partnering For Safety and Permanence - Model Approach To Partnerships In Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) and Deciding Together as curricula for preservice Training for foster parents. More information may be found on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website .
nadid: 26402
Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
4126 Technology Way
3rd Floor
Carson City, Nevada 89706
Phone: (775) 684-4400
Foster and adoptive parent trainings are conducted by the child welfare agencies in Nevada. Non-relative placements are required to attend 30 hours of preservice training. Relative placements are required to attend nine hours of preservice training. Currently, each child welfare agency is using a different pre-service training. The Trauma-Informed Pre-Service (TIPS) was subsequently modified to meet the needs of the region and its community.
nadid: 26403
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 271-4711
Toll-Free: (800) 852-3345 ext 4711
New Hampshire recognizes the benefit of providing foster parents with ongoing quality training. The Division has a contract with Granite State College, which is a part of the University System of New Hampshire that enables foster/adoptive parents to attend classes that are specifically designed for them.
nadid: 30760
New Jersey Department of Children and Families
New Jersey
Phone: (609) 888-7460
Prospective foster/adoptive parents or relatives caring for a child are required to attend the Parent Resources for Information Development and Education (PRIDE) training to become licensed resource parents. The New Jersey Department of Children and Families offers details about the training on its website.
nadid: 26405
New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families
New Mexico
Phone: (505) 476-1046
Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to attend 32 hours of training. The Relative, Adoptive, Foster Parent Training (RAFT) is a training developed by the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department for prospective foster and adoptive parents. For information access the RAFT website.
nadid: 26406
New York State Office of Children and Family Services
52 Washington Street
Capital View Office Park
Rensselaer, New York 12144-2834
Phone: (518) 473-7793
TTY: (800) 342-3720
Many counties and agencies in New York State use the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting/Group Preparation and Selection (MAPP/GPS) pre-certification training program. Although it is not required by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), it is the recommended selection and preparation program. More information may be found on the OCFS website .
nadid: 26407
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
NC Department of Health and Human Services
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-2000
TTY: (800) 662-7030
Families who desire to become licensed foster parents are required to complete TIPS-MAPP (Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) or an equivalent training and assessment process. This 30-hour course is mandatory for foster parent licensure and strongly encouraged for families who desire to adopt from the foster care system.
nadid: 26408
North Dakota Health and Human Services
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept 325
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2310
Toll-Free: (800) 472-2622
Fax: (701) 328-2360
TTY: (800) 366-6888
North Dakota uses the Foster/Adopt Parent Resources for Information Development and Education (PRIDE) program. Information about the training is available on the North Dakota Department of Human Services website.
nadid: 26409
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Families and Children
P.O. Box 183204
Columbus, Ohio 43218-3204
Phone: (614) 466-1213
Prospective foster caregivers must successfully complete at least 36 hours of preplacement training through a preplacement training program approved by the Department of Job and Family Services. Workshops designed to meet the identified training needs of caregivers and adoptive parents are provided at the eight regional training centers and public children's service agencies throughout the State. For information view the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program website.
nadid: 26410
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
2400 N Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111
Phone: (918) 794-7575
Toll-Free: (800) 376-9729
Fax: (918) 794-7582
Potential kinship, foster, and adoptive families in Oklahoma are required to have 27 hours of preservice training prior to approval as a resource home. This training is provided in a variety of formats to meet the needs of families utilizing the Guiding Principles for Oklahoma Resource Families curriculum. The training is provided statewide. For information, view the University of Oklahoma National Resource Center for Youth Services website.
nadid: 4649
Oregon Department of Human Services
500 Summer Street NE E-15
Salem, Oregon 97301
Phone: (503) 945-5600
TTY: (503) 945-6214
New resource parents and relative resource parents in Oregon are required to take foundation training to become certified. Training information for resource families is available on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
nadid: 26411
Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network
PO Box 4469
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111-0469
Toll-Free: (800) 227-0225 (PAE)
Toll-Free: (800) 585-7926 (SWAN)
Fax: (717) 236-8510
Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to participate in a minimum of 6 hours of agency-approved training but each county may require additional hours of pre-service training.The Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) is a partnership among the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange, public and private adoption agencies, organizations, advocates, judges, the legal community, and foster and adoptive parents.
nadid: 5053
Puerto Rico Administration of Children & Families
P.O. Box 194090
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919-4090
Phone: (787) 625-4900
nadid: 26413
Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families
101 Friendship Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: (401) 528-3500
All resource parents must complete a 30-hour preservice orientation training held once a week for 3 hours for 10 weeks. The State uses the 10-week Trauma Informed for Safety and Permanence Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) training. Prospective foster and adoptive parents are subject to the same licensing process. The foster care and adoption license allows a licensed foster parent to transition to or from the role of foster or adoptive parent without requiring additional training. All courses are provided or approved by the department.
nadid: 26415
South Carolina Department of Social Services
P.O. Box 1520
South Carolina Department of Social Service
Columbia, South Carolina 29201-1915
Phone: (803) 898-7601
Toll-Free: (800) 922-2504
Potential foster/adoptive parents are required to complete 14 hours of preservice training offered through the South Carolina Foster Parent Association and must be completed as part of the licensure process.
nadid: 26414
South Dakota Department of Social Services
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, South Dakota 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3165
Foster/adoptive parent applicants must complete at least 30 hours of orientation training before receiving an initial license. More information may be found on the department's Foster and Adoptive Parents Training webpage.
nadid: 26417
Tennessee Department of Children's Services
315 Deaderick, 10th Floor
UBS Tower
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Phone: (615) 741-9701
Phone: (615) 253-6351
All potential foster, kinship, and adoptive parents are required to attend 23 hours of pre-approval training (TN KEY Course). Training information is available on the Tennessee Department of Children Services website.
nadid: 26418
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
701 West 51 Street
Austin, Texas 78751
Phone: (512) 438-3011
Prospective caregivers must complete 8 hours of pre-service training. The Texas Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) is a 35-hour competency-based training program that is co-trained by an agency staff member and a foster or adoptive parent. More information may be found at Steps to Become a Foster/Adoptive Parent.
nadid: 24131
Utah Department of Human Services
195 N. 1950 W.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
Phone: (801) 538-4171
Each prospective foster/adoptive family is required to participate in standardized training before becoming a licensed. This preservice training consists of 20+ hours of preparation.
nadid: 26420
Vermont Agency of Human Services
280 State Drive
Waterbury, Vermont 05671-1030
Toll-Free: (800) 746-7000
The Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership (VCWTP) is a collaboration between the Vermont Department for Children and Families and the University of Vermont that offers learning opportunities for Vermont foster, adoptive, and kinship parents around the State. For information, please find training requirements to become licensed foster families and advanced trainings for caregivers on the VCWTP website .
nadid: 30307
Virgin Islands Department of Human Services
Virgin Islands
Phone: (340) 774-0930
nadid: 26422
Virginia Department of Social Services
801 E. Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 726-7537
Toll-Free: (800)-DO-ADOPT
The Consortium for Resource, Adoptive, and Foster Family Training (CRAFFT) is a joint initiative between the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and Norfolk State University, Radford University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. CRAFFT provides preservice training to prospective resource families using a VDSS-approved curriculum.
nadid: 26423
Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
Washington
Toll-Free: (888) 543-7414
Prospective foster parents are required to take a caregiver core training prior to foster care licensure. The Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence provides this preservice training.
nadid: 21563
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
350 Capitol Street, Room 730
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Phone: (304) 558-0628
Phone: (304) 558-7980
The department utilizes the Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) model for developing and supporting foster/adoptive families.
nadid: 26425
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 422-7894
Prospective adoptive parents must complete three pre-license sessions prior to receiving a license. Specific information regarding training may be found on the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System website.
nadid: 30386
Wyoming Department of Family Services
Wyoming
Phone: (307) 777-7564
Toll-Free: (800) 457-3659
Information about foster parent training is provided on the Wyoming Department of Family Services website.
nadid: 26426