Older Child Adoption
What Older Child Adoption Looks Like
Older child adoption refers to the adoption of children beyond infancy, including toddlers, school-aged children, and teenagers. These children may be placed through private adoption, foster care, or through a voluntary adoption plan made by a birth parent. Choice Adoptions is committed to keeping children out of foster care at all cost and ensuring every child has a loving, stable and permanent family to call their own. Sometimes, this means we support parents who are at a place where they feel they can no longer care for their child(ren). In this case, we work with the parent(s) to create an adoption plan and then reach out to our waiting families to gauge interest in who is open to adopting an older child.
Each child’s experience is unique. Some children may have experienced transitions, loss, or time in foster care, while others are placed directly by a parent making a thoughtful and intentional decision. Older child adoption calls for flexibility, openness, and a commitment to supporting a child’s emotional and developmental needs.
At Choice Adoptions, we believe every child deserves stability, connection, and a permanent family. Our team provides guidance and support to families and parents throughout the entire process.
Older Child Adoption Within Our Infant Program
Families currently participating in our infant adoption program may have the opportunity to be considered for an older child placement.
As part of the home study process, families may be approved for a range of ages, depending on their preferences, experience, and readiness. Although this is referred to as our “infant program,” this designation reflects that we work directly with birth parents to make adoption plans for their children. In some cases, birth parents may be making an adoption plan for an older child.
This differs from foster care adoption, where families work with the state and a child is placed from foster care into an adoptive home. Both are valid paths to adoption, but they involve different processes and systems of support.
In older child adoption situations, additional preparation is important. Parenting an older child can differ from parenting an infant, particularly as children will need to adjust to a new home, school, routines, and relationships. Though every child and every story are different, there are also often deeper layers of loss and trauma to consider when considering adopting an older child.
Children adopted through foster care may have experienced unsafe or unstable environments. In private adoption situations involving an older child, there can be significant emotional impact related to separation from a birth parent. In both cases, adoptive families should be prepared to provide patience, understanding, and trauma-informed care.
Our team will work closely with you to determine whether an older child placement is a good fit and to help you prepare. This includes reviewing a
child’s background, discussing potential needs,
and identifying appropriate resources and
support for your family.
If you are interested in being considered
for an older child placement, we encourage
you to begin by completing our adoptive
family inquiry form below.
Adoption of Older Children Through Foster Care
Beyond placement directly with a birth parent, some families pursue adoption through the foster care system. Most older child adoptions are done through this route.
It is important to understand the distinction between fostering with the goal of adoption and being approved for adoptive placement through foster care.
Fostering to adopt involves becoming a licensed foster parent and welcoming a child into your home while reunification with their biological family remains the primary goal. In this role, families support the child and the case plan, with the understanding that the child may return home. Adoption becomes a possibility only if reunification is no longer achievable.
In contrast, some families are approved to adopt children who are already legally free for adoption or who are considered at risk for adoption. At-risk placements refer to cases where parental rights have not yet been terminated, but the case is progressing in that direction. While adoption may be anticipated, it is not guaranteed.
Both paths require flexibility, emotional readiness, and a commitment to prioritizing the child’s best interests throughout the process. Choice Adoptions can help you understand these options and determine which path is the right fit for your family.
What to Know About Placing Your Child for Adoption
For Birth Parents who may be considering relinquishing their parental rights.
If you are considering placing your child for adoption, it is important to know that support and options are available, and that you are not alone. Choice works with birth parents who reach a point where they feel their child might be better supported by someone else. There are many reasons this may be the case. In recent years, Choice has supported clients who:
• no longer have the support they need
• are facing a move and cannot take their child with them
• struggle to find work and childcare and are experiencing financial difficulties
• do not feel a bond or attachment with their child
• are already parenting and worried another child would overwhelm them emotionally, financially, or both
Creating an adoption plan for an older child can
involve additional considerations, such as navigating
the legal process of relinquishing parental rights,
preparing your child for the transition, and deciding on
the level of openness in the adoption. Choice is here to
guide you through every step of this process.
At Choice Adoptions, we provide compassionate and
nonjudgmental support throughout your journey. Our
team can help you understand your rights, explore your
options, and create an adoption plan that reflects your
wishes and your child’s needs. Ongoing counseling and
support are available before, during, and after placement.
We encourage you to learn more about the process of relinquishment and what to expect by visiting our relinquishment page. If you are considering adoption and would like to speak with someone directly, you can contact an advocate for immediate support.
Get Started with Choice Adoptions
Interested in older child adoption?
Whether you are a birth parent or prospective adoptive family, our team is here to support you.
You can connect with Choice Adoptions to learn more about our infant adoption program, foster adoption opportunities, or birth parent advocacy services.
To learn more, we encourage you to explore the following resources:
Read our Older Child Adoption Blog
Explore our Adoption Programs
Find Adoption Resources for your journey