Foster Adoption in the United States: What You Need to Know

Foster Child Adoption in the United States

Across the United States, more than 100,000 children in foster care are waiting for adoptive families. These children have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions. While some children are reunified with their families, others are not able to return home and need permanent, loving families who can provide stability and belonging.

Foster child adoption offers a powerful opportunity to meet that need. It is a meaningful way to grow your family and change a child’s life forever. Whether you are just starting to explore adoption or looking for a path that is both purposeful and accessible, foster child adoption is worth considering.

What is Foster Adoption

Foster child adoption occurs when a child whose biological parents’ rights have been terminated and the child is eligible for adoption. These adoptions are typically coordinated through public child welfare agencies or through private licensed agencies that partner with the state.

Unlike private infant adoption, foster child adoption involves children who are already in the state’s custody. These children may be toddlers, school-aged, or teens and some are part of sibling groups. Many have experienced trauma, instability, and loss. What they need most is a consistent, caring adult who is ready to walk with them toward healing.

Who Can Adopt from Foster Care

The requirements for foster child adoption vary slightly by state, but in general, the process is open to a wide range of individuals and families. You do not need to be married. You do not need to own a home or have a specific income level. You simply need to be over 21 years old (in most states), complete a home study, pass background checks, and demonstrate that you can provide a safe and supportive environment for a child.

Both individuals and couples can adopt from foster care. LGBTQ+ families, single parents, and older parents are all welcomed in this space. What matters most is your ability to provide stability, compassion, and commitment.

The Process of Foster Adoption

While the exact steps can differ depending on your location, the general process of foster adoption looks something like this:

1. Orientation and Inquiry

   Start by contacting your local child welfare agency or a licensed adoption agency like Choice. You will attend an orientation and receive information about the needs of children in foster care.

2. Training and Home Study

   You will complete required training, often called PRIDE or MAPP, which helps prepare you for the realities of parenting children from hard places. A home study will be completed by a licensed social worker to assess your home and readiness.

3. Licensing or Approval

   Once your home study is approved, you may become licensed as a foster parent or approved as an adoptive home, depending on your state.

4. Matching with a Child

   A caseworker or adoption agency will work with you to find a child or sibling group whose needs and background align with your strengths as a family. This can take time and involves reviewing detailed information about the child.

5. Visitation and Placement

   Once a match is made, you will begin pre-placement visits to get to know the child. When everyone feels ready, the child will move into your home.

6. Post-Placement and Finalization

   After placement, you will work closely with your agency and social worker during a post-placement period. Once that period is complete and all requirements are met, the adoption will be finalized in court.

Benefits of Adopting from Foster Care

Foster adoption is one of the most affordable ways to adopt. In many cases, the costs are minimal or fully covered by the state. Families who adopt children from foster care may receive monthly subsidies, medical coverage, and access to support services. There is also a federal adoption tax credit that many families qualify for.

More importantly, foster adoption is deeply impactful. Families provide stability and unconditional love to children who may have never known it before. Many families find that the experience transforms their own lives in beautiful and unexpected ways.

Challenges to Consider

Foster child adoption can come with challenges. Children adopted from foster care may have experienced trauma, neglect, and disrupted attachments. They may struggle with trust, behavior, or identity. Families who adopt must be willing to learn, to grow, and to access support when needed. Ongoing training, counseling, and a strong community can make all the difference.

The most successful adoptive families are those who are realistic about the challenges but remain deeply committed to the journey.

Support Matters

One of the most important parts of the foster child adoption journey is working with a supportive, experienced agency or caseworker. The right support system can help you navigate everything from paperwork to parenting questions. Many agencies offer post-adoption resources like support groups, counseling, and educational materials that can help families thrive long after finalization.

Adopting from Foster Care in Oregon

If you are in Oregon and considering foster adoption, Choice Adoptions is here to help. Choice is a licensed child-placing agency with decades of experience guiding families through the process of adopting from foster care. We work closely with the Oregon Department of Human Services to identify children in need of adoptive homes, and we support families from the very first inquiry to long after placement.

Our foster child adoption program includes licensing, matching, placement, and post-placement support. Our fee structure is designed to be accessible, and in most cases, families receive significant reimbursement through the state. We are committed to ethical, family-centered adoption, and we walk with you every step of the way.

To learn more about foster adoption in Oregon and how to get started with Choice, visit choiceadoptions.org.