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  • Adoption by Family Type: Foster Families

Adoption by Family Type: Foster Families

Children in foster care who cannot safely return to their families can become available for adoption. The following resources provide information about adopting children from foster care. Resources include State and local examples.

  • Transitioning children from foster care to adoption

About Adoption From Foster Care
AdoptUSKids
Provides resources and information for families starting the process to foster or adopt, waiting for a placement, or looking for postadoption resources.

Adopting From Foster Care: Advice From a Mom Who’s Been There
North American Council on Adoptable Children (2017)
Offers an adoptive mother’s (Sarah W.) parenting advice on things she wishes she knew at the beginning of her family’s adoption journey, such as choosing her parenting battles, celebrating successes, and joining an adoption support group.

Heart Galleries
Raise the Future
Shares information about children in foster care who are waiting to be adopted.

National Foster Parent Association
Supports foster parents in achieving safety, permanence, and well-being for the children and youth in their care.

Will Foster Care Adoption Be Too Much for Me to Handle?
Davenport (2018)
Creating a Family 
Discusses reasons prospective adoptive parents have chosen to adopt and why they chose foster care adoption. The article also offers resources to help those seeking to adopt.

What Is Foster Care Adoption?
Considering Adoption 
Describes foster care adoption, reviews the pros and cons of adopting from foster care, and provides an overview of information parents should know when considering foster care adoption.

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State and local examples

10 Financial Considerations Foster Parents in Virginia Should Know
New Found Families Virginia (2019)
Informs foster families in Virginia about financial considerations in regards to becoming a foster family.

A Guide for Foster & Kinship Foster Families in Vermont (PDF - 920 KB)
Vermont Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division (2019)
Provides an overview of Vermont adoption requirements and procedures for parents who are considering adopting children from foster care.

Guides & Manuals for Resource Parents About Adoption
State Guides & Manuals Search
Offers State-specific information to educate parents about the process of adopting from foster care.

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Spotlight On

Helping Your Child Transition from Foster Care to Adoption
Child Welfare Information Gateway
(2018)

2017 US Adoption Attitudes Survey

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Related Content

Adopting Children From Foster Care

Transitioning Foster Parents to Adoptive Parents

Children’s Bureau

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