In the News...
National Council For Adoption Teams Up with Wal-Mart and Rodney Atkins to Inspire Better Care for Children in Foster Care
Alexandria, VA – May is National Foster Care Month, and the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) and Wal-Mart are jointly launching the Families For All public awareness campaign to inspire American families to consider what they can do to help children in foster care.
“Change of Plans” Clickcast
This Saturday, January 8th: Following the Fox TV Movie “Change of Plans” on Family Movie Night, presented by P&G and Walmart, please join a live broadcast right here at FamiliesForAll.org!
You will have the opportunity to ask our guests questions live on Facebook.
Broadcast schedule:
10pm ET / 9pm CT
9pm MT
10pm PT
Guests:
Paul Pennington -Executive Director & Co-Founder, Hope For Orphans - http://www.hopefororphans.org/
Charles “Chuck” Johnson- President and CEO- National Council For Adoption - National Council for Adpotion https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/
Sharen E. Ford, Ph.D.- Manager, Permanency Services | Colorado Department of Human Services | Child Welfare Division http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/ and http://www.changealifeforever.com/
Host:
Kelly Rosati - VP of Community Outreach - I Care About Orphans http://www.icareaboutorphans.org/
PSA 30 Seconds
Downloads
Families For All — Public Service Announcement (PSA) Videos Featuring Rodney Atkins
30 Second Version MP4 Format View Online
20 Second Version MP4 Format View Online
Families For All — Public Service Announcement (PSA) Audio Files
Rodney Atkins (15 Seconds) AIFF (Higher Quality) Format MP3 (Lower Quality) Format
Rodney Atkins (30 Seconds) AIFF (Higher Quality) Format MP3 (Lower Quality) Format
Rodney Atkins (60 Seconds) AIFF (Higher Quality) Format MP3 (Lower Quality) Format
Kids At Heart
Every year since 1992, the National Council For Adoption has hosted a special event in New York City called Kids At Heart to raise awareness for the need for foster and adoptive parent recruitment. We hold this fun-filled event free of charge for our guests – children in New York City foster care who have been freed (meaning their parents’ parental rights have been terminated) but not placed for adoption.
Working in conjunction with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, NCFA sent invitations to these children and youth, inviting them to be a part of Kids At Heart on November 23 from 1 – 4pm at Chelsea Piers. Children were greeted at the door by Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey clowns and circus performers. Once they entered, children frolicked around the batting cages, soccer area, basketball court, arts and crafts rooms, a toddler adventure center, and a gymnastics area. A healthy lunch was provided for everyone and after they had bounced around the walls for a couple of hours, a special program was held for the children featuring a special presentation by the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey clowns. Last year, our special guest was Julia Charles, former foster youth and author of Surviving the Storm: The Life of a Child in Foster Care. Before they left, children were given goodie bags filled with stickers, games and trinkets.
State Adoption Information
Alabama
Number of children in foster care: 7,157
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,658
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Office of Adoption.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit AGAPE of North Alabama, Inc., Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Families Ministries, Inc., or Catholic Family Services
Alaska
Number of children in foster care: 1,993
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 722
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Health & Social Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Alaska Children’s Services.
Arkansas
Number of children in foster care: 3,434
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 937
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Searcy Children’s Homes, Inc.
Arizona
Number of children in foster care: 9,731
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 2,634
For information on adopting or fostering a child, please contact the Department of Economic Security.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, or Christian Family Care Agency.
California
Number of children in foster care: 78,373
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 18,028
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Social Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Adopt a Special Kid, Adoption Horizons, or Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.
Colorado
Number of children in foster care: 8,139
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 2,090
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Adoption Alliance Incorporated, or Bethany Christian Services of Colorado.
Connecticut
Number of children in foster care: 6,365
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,360
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Children & Families.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Casey Family Services or Family and Children’s Agency.
Delaware
Number of children in foster care: 1,074
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 302
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Charities or Children and Families First.
District of Columbia
Number of children in foster care: 2,378
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 618
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Child and Family Services Agency.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital.
Florida
Number of children in foster care: 29,229
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 7,478
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Children and Families.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Florida Baptist Children’s Home or Children’s Home Society of Florida.
Georgia
Number of children in foster care: 13,175
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 2,305
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Resources, Division of Family and Children Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Bethany Christian Services or Families First.
Hawai’i
Number of children in foster care: 2,355
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 752
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Services.
Idaho
Number of children in foster care: 1,850
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 545
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Health and Welfare.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit A New Beginning Adoption Agency, Inc.
Illinois
Number of children in foster care: 18,367
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 3,042
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Children and Family Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet or Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois.
Indiana
Number of children in foster care: 11,401
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 3,343
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Child Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, Bethany Christian Services, or Catholic Charities.
Iowa
Number of children in foster care: 9,040
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,432
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit American Home Finding Association, or Family Resources, Inc.
Kansas
Number of children in foster care: 6,237
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 2,032
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Kansas Children’s Service League.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Charities, Diocese of Dodge City.
Kentucky
Number of children in foster care: 7,606
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 2,083
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Cabinet for Families and Children.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Social Services Bureau or Heart to Home Adoption Agency LLC.
Louisiana
Number of children in foster care: 5,213
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,079
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Social Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Volunteers of America of North Louisiana.
Maine
Number of children in foster care: 2,076
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 691
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Office of Child and Family Services.
Maryland
Number of children in foster care: 10,681
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: N/A
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Resources.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Adoptions Together or Barker Foundation.
Massachusetts
Number of children in foster care: 11,499
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 2,704
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Adoptions With Love or the Alliance For Children, Inc.
Michigan
Number of children in foster care: 20,142
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 6,164
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Bethany Christian Services.
Minnesota
Number of children in foster care: 7,156
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,353
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Minnesota Adoption Resource Network.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Bethany Christian Services or Children’s Home Society and Family Services.
Mississippi
Number of children in foster care: 3,126
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 897
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Charities, Inc. or Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth.
Missouri
Number of children in foster care: 10,181
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 2,714
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Social Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Services for Children and Youth, Christian Family Services or Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri.
Montana
Number of children in foster care: 1,909
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 608
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Public Health and Human Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Lutheran Social Services.
Nebraska
Number of children in foster care: 6,187
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 971
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Health and Human Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Child Saving Institute Lutheran Family Services, or Nebraska Children’s Home Society.
Nevada
Number of children in foster care: 5,069
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,815
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Division of Child and Family Services.
New Hampshire
Number of children in foster care: 1,146
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 250
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Health & Human Services.
New Jersey
Number of children in foster care: 10,623
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 4,672
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Division of Youth & Family Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Charities, Catholic Family and Community Services.
New Mexico
Number of children in foster care: 2,357
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 858
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Children, Youth and Families Department.
New York
Number of children in foster care: 29,973
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 8,040
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact New York State Adoption Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Family Center, Children’s Aid Society or Heartshare Human Services.
North Carolina
Number of children in foster care: 11,115
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 3,115
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Division of Social Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Adoptions Plus, Bethany Christian Services or Family Services, Inc.
North Dakota
Number of children in foster care: 1,331
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 321
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Charities of North Dakota.
Ohio
Number of children in foster care: 16,631
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 4,011
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Office of Children and Families.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Caring For Kids, Inc. or Focus on Youth, Inc.
Oklahoma
Number of children in foster care: 11,816
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 3,587
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Services.
Oregon
Number of children in foster care: 10,661
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 2,776
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Human Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Christian Family Adoptions.
Pennsylvania
Number of children in foster care: 21,135
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 3,559
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Adelphoi Village Foster and Adoptive Services, Bethany Christian Services or Presbyterian Children’s Village Services.
Rhode Island
Number of children in foster care: 2,842
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 397
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact Adoption Rhode Island.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Communities for People, Inc..
South Carolina
Number of children in foster care: 4,920
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,750
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Social Services.
South Dakota
Number of children in foster care: 1,648
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 507
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Social Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Children’s Home Society or Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota.
Tennessee
Number of children in foster care: 8,818
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,786
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Children’s Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit AGAPE Child and Family Services or Bethany Christian Services.
Texas
Number of children in foster care: 30,848
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 12,191
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact Texas Adoption Resource Exchange.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Gladney Center for Adoption, Lutheran Social Services of the South or The Settlement Home for Children.
Utah
Number of children in foster care: 2,427
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 475
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Child and Family Services Adoption Connection.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit A Child’s Dream.
Vermont
Number of children in foster care: 1,379
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 251
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact Project Family.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Casey Family Services.
Virginia
Number of children in foster care: 7,843
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,794
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Social Services. You can also contact Volunteer Emergency Families For Children to become a respite care provider.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Children’s Home Society of Virginia.
Washington
Number of children in foster care: 10,457
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 2,361
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Social and Health Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Bethany Christian Services or Children’s Home Society of Washington.
West Virginia
Number of children in foster care: 4,012
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,063
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Health and Human Resources.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Children’s Home Society of West Virginia or Burlington United Methodist Family Services.
Wisconsin
Number of children in foster care: 7,556
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 1,205
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact Adoption Resources of Wisconsin.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Adoptions of Wisconsin, Bethany Christian Services, or Catholic Charities, Inc.
Wyoming
Number of children in foster care: 1,304
Number of children in foster care waiting to be adopted: 209
For information on adopting or fostering a child, or becoming a respite care provider, please contact the Department of Family Services.
If you would prefer to speak with a private agency involved in foster care placements, you may want to visit Catholic Social Services of Wyoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I adopt a child from foster care?
How can I become a foster parent?
Once I am a licensed foster parent, am I also licensed to adopt?
How can I become a mentor?
How can I become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or Guardian ad litem?
What is the difference between a legal guardian and adoptive parent?
How can I become a respite care provider?
Am I too old to foster or adopt?
How can I help a child who is about to age out of the foster care system?
How can I make a donation to an organization that can help children in foster care?
Where can I find statistics on foster care?
How can I start a group home for foster children?
Are foster parents compensated?
How can I find an adoption agency?
How can I find an adoption attorney?
I am an attorney who would like to help children in foster care with pro bono work. Where can I learn more?
As a foster parent, how can I provide health insurance for a child in foster care?
Is financial assistance available to adopt a child?
Is there anything my community or faith-based organization can do to help?
What funds are available for youth in foster care and adopted out of foster care to receive a college education?
Can my foster child live with me after he or she turns 18?
What is Congress doing to help children in foster care?
What can I do to encourage my Senator or Representative to help children in foster care?
What can I do to raise awareness about foster care issues in my community?
How can I receive regular updates on adoption and foster care?
How can I adopt a child from foster care?
Who may adopt varies by state but most married couples and single adults can qualify to adopt. You will receive training and education, and a social worker will conduct one or more home studies to ensure that you will be able to provide a safe, loving and stable home for a child. Following your successful completion of this process, the state will grant you a license to adopt. This may be a lengthy process for some, but it is necessary to provide for the safety and well-being of children in foster care. To search for waiting children, visit AdoptUsKids, a project of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Children Awaiting Parents, the Adopt America Network, the Adoption Exchange, or consult with your state agency.
How can I become a foster parent?
In order to become a foster parent, one must first be licensed by the state. Licensing procedures vary from state to state. However, you must receive training and education, and a social worker will conduct one or more home studies to ensure that you will be able to provide a safe, loving and stable home for a child. To learn more about specific requirements and support services for becoming a foster parent in your community, click here.
Once I am a licensed foster parent, am I also licensed to adopt?
Laws vary by state. Many states require foster parents and adoptive parents to be licensed separately. However, some states provide dual licensing whereby a person receives his or her license to foster parent and his or her license to adopt simultaneously through one training and education program. In recent years, the trend among states has been toward dual licensing.
How can I become a mentor?
According to Mentor/National Mentoring Partnership, there are 14.6 million children and youth in America who need or want mentors. You could be the missing link in a young person’s life to help them realize their potential and achieve their goals. According to ChildTrends, mentored youth miss fewer days in school, have a better chance of going on to college, and have a more positive outlook on school. Mentored youth appear to place more trust in their parents and communicate with them and mentoring appears to help prevent substance abuse and other negative behaviors. To become a mentor in your state visit Mentor.
How can I become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or Guardian ad litem?
A Court Appointed Special Advocate or Guardian ad litem is a trained community volunteer appointed by the court to speak for the best interests of abused and/or neglected children in court. Children who have a CASA volunteer spend less time in long-term foster care than children who do not have a CASA volunteer. No special education or background is required to be a CASA, just a desire to help abused or neglected children find a safe and permanent home and a willingness to be trained. To become a CASA in your community, visit CASA for Children.
What is the difference between a legal guardian and adoptive parent?
A legal guardian is charged with the legal responsibility for the care and management of the child. The child’s birthparents are allowed certain rights, such as visitation, when the child’s safety is not at risk. Adoption is the legal transfer of all parental rights from one person or couple to another. Adoptive parents have the same rights and responsibilities as they would for their own biological children.
How can I become a respite care provider?
Respite care providers volunteer their time to supervise children in foster care so that foster parents can take a break. If you want to make a difference in the lives of children in your community and support foster parents, or if you are considering foster parenting and are not sure yet if you can make a long-term commitment, becoming a respite care provider might be the next step for you. Respite care providers receive support from social workers and are given a stipend to defray expenses of caring for the child while in respite care. Every state or county has its own procedures for respite care providers. To learn how you can be a respite care provider, click here for state-specific information.
Am I too old to foster or adopt?
According to the National Foster Care Adoption Attitudes Survey from the Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption, more than 23 percent of adopted children live with an adopted parent who is 55 years old or older. Older adults can provide a safe and loving environment for children in foster care.
How can I help a child who is about to age out of the foster care system?
Children who age out of foster care need a strong support system to help them transition into the adult world. If you know a child who is approaching his or her 18th birthday, there are several things you can do to help. You can become a mentor, offer an apprenticeship or job in your company, or start a scholarship fund. Youth in foster care also need to learn life skills like opening a checking account, interviewing for a job, or planning career goals. Casey Family Programs offers resources for youth transitioning out of foster care created by and for youth. You can obtain “It’s My Life” online, which covers education, employment, housing, physical and mental health, relationships, cultural identity and life skills. If you want to help a youth who is transitioning out of foster care but do not know one specifically, contact the National Independent Living Association for more information on how you can connect with youth in your community and what you can do to help. The Orphan Foundation also offers a virtual mentoring program that matches screened volunteers with youth in foster care ages 16-23 according to their interests. All volunteers must complete initial training, submit personal and professional references, and pass a criminal record check. All communication is monitored to ensure safety of teens and volunteers.
How can I make a donation to an organization that can help children in foster care?
There are several organizations that are committed to help children in foster care. The National Council For Adoption has been working on foster care and child welfare issues for many years, both in Washington, D.C. and in all 50 states through its member adoption agencies. To donate to the National Council For Adoption, so that you can specifically help children in foster care find loving, permanent families, click here.
Where can I find statistics on foster care?
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration For Children and Family provides the latest statistics on adoption and foster care statistics. The Child Welfare Information Gateway also provides helpful information, including national and state statistics. The National Council For Adoption’s Adoption Factbook IV contains further information and statistics relating to foster care, adoption and child welfare.
How can I start a group home for foster children?
Requirements for opening a foster home vary from state to state. Contact your State Foster Care Manager or Specialist.
Are foster parents compensated?
Foster parents are not compensated for providing care for abused and neglected children. However, they do receive monthly maintenance payments for the expressed purpose of providing for the needs of the child. These include but are not limited to food, clothing, school supplies, etc.
How can I find an adoption agency?
The National Council For Adoption has a national network of 60 adoption agency members with more than 225 offices around the country. The Child Welfare Information Gateway also provides state-specific listings of accredited adoption agencies .
How can I find an adoption attorney?
The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys is a national association based in Washington, D.C. with members throughout the country. These experts in adoption law can help you navigate through the process of adoption in your state.
I am an attorney who would like to help children in foster care with pro bono work. Where can I learn more?
Contact your state bar association for a list of organizations that coordinate pro bono work for children in foster care. If you are a member of the American Bar Association, you can also visit their Web site to learn more about their Child Custody and Adoption Pro Bono Project.
As a foster parent, how can I provide health insurance for a child in foster care?
All health care needs for children in foster care are covered through state and federally-funded insurance programs like Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Your local agency will have detailed information on these programs.
Is financial assistance available to adopt a child?
Because of federal and state subsidies, the cost of adopting out of foster care is low. Several avenues of assistance are also available to help you afford the cost of adopting a child. The following is not an exhaustive list, but a starting point for available resources.
Federal and State Subsidies
The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 provides federal subsidies to adopt children in foster care with special needs. Each state determines what constitutes “special needs,” which can include children who are older, have disabilities, must be placed with siblings or belong to a minority group. The Child Welfare Information Gateway provides more detailed information on special needs determination and eligibility requirements. State subsidies are also available. The North American Council on Adoptable Children’s Adoption Subsidy Resource Center gives state-specific information on adoption benefits and funding.
Tax Credit
The federal government allows families to claim a tax credit per any completed adoption. In 2007, the upper limit an adoptive family could claim was $11,390 for each adopted child. This figure is indexed for inflation and will undoubtedly change in future years. Families who adopt a child out of foster care are not required by law to document their adoption-related expenses in order to qualify for the adoption tax credit. However, there is an annual income phase-out range for all adoptions which was set at $150,000 to $190,000 in 2002, indexed for inflation. Visit the IRS for more information or click here to access IRS Form 8839.
Employer Reimbursements
Many employers offer a range of adoption benefits for employees, including paid leave and reimbursement to help defray some of the adoption costs. The Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption tracks businesses that provide adoption benefits and offers resources for employees to lobby employers who do not provide benefits.
Grants
Several non-profit foundations offer limited grants and loans to families for adoption costs. These include but are not limited to: The Gift of Adoption Foundation, Help Us Adopt , The National Adoption Foundation, The Orphan Foundation, and Shaohannah’s Hope. Eligibility requirements and funding amounts vary.
Loans
Chase offers a discounted home-equity loan program to help defray adoption costs. Click here to learn more about New Additions.
Military Subsidies
An active duty member of the military services who incurs expenses for the adoption of a child under age 18 may be reimbursed up to $2,000 per child (with a maximum to one service member of $5,000 in any calendar year.) Click here for DD Form 2675, “Reimbursement Requests for Adoption Expenses.” For more information on adoption reimbursements for members of the military, click here for the AdoptUsKids publication “Answering the Call: Wherever My Family Is, That’s Home.”
Is there anything my community or faith-based organization can do to help?
You can offer a mentoring or tutoring club for children in foster care, recruit members of your organization to provide respite care for foster parents or become foster or adoptive parents. You can also contact the National Foster Parent Association or the National Independent Living Association, to learn how you can help as a group.
What funds are available for youth in or formerly in foster care to receive a college education?
The Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV) for Youths Aging out of Foster Care provides funds to both youth in and youth formerly in foster care to enable them to attend colleges, universities and vocational training institutions. Students may receive up to $5,000 per year for college or vocational training education and students receiving funds prior to their 21st birthday may continue to receive support until age 23. The funds may be used for tuition, books or qualified living expenses. For more information on eligibility visit StateVoucher.org. Some states, like Texas, have their own programs that provide financial assistance for youth who were in foster care. The National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development, a service of the Department of Health & Human Services Children’s Bureau, has more detailed information on education and training vouchers. In addition, there are foundations and nonprofit organizations such as The Orphan Foundation, that provide scholarships for college and post-secondary education.
Can my foster child live with me after he or she turns 18?
When a child in foster care turns 18, he or she is no longer a ward of the state and is therefore considered “emancipated.” If he or she wants to continue to live with their foster parent, they may do so but at this point, monthly maintenance payments for the child’s expenses end.
What is Congress doing to help children in foster care?
Several members of Congress have introduced legislation to help children in foster care:
The Adoption Equality Act (S.1462/H.R. 4091) introduced respectively by Sen. Jay D. Rockefeller and Rep. Jim Cooper, removes the income eligibility requirements for children with special needs so that such children are eligible to receive federal adoption assistance payments. Removing such income eligibility requirements greatly helps children with special needs find the loving, permanent families they deserve
The Partnership for Children and Families Act (H.R. 4207) introduced by Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) strengthens the federal/state partnership for both adoption assistance and foster care maintenance by eliminating the outdated income eligibility requirements that prevent all abused and neglected children from being eligible for federal foster care support. The bill also makes improvements to ensure that all children with special needs in foster care are eligible for adoption assistance, and allows states to reinvest savings related to safely reducing the days children spend in foster care in other child welfare services, such as those that help children and families prevent the need for foster care in the first place.
The Invest in Kids Act (H.R. 5466) introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), makes positive reforms to the child welfare system to provide federal funding for services designed to safely reduce the number of children in foster care and safely reduce the length of stay for children in foster care. The bill also eliminates the financial eligibility requirements for children in foster care so that all children receive the necessary services regardless of their family’s income. Furthermore, the bill provides more permanency options for children in foster care; strengthens adoption incentives for all children in foster care, including children with special needs; and provides for subsidized guardianship when adoption or safe reunification are not possible.
Adoption Tax Credit (S. 561/H.R. 273/H.R. 471) Several bills have been introduced in Congress to make the adoption tax credit permanent. These are: S. 561 (introduced by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) that exempts the current adoption provisions expanding the adoption tax credit and adoption assistance programs enacted by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 from the general terminating (sunset) provisions of that act; H.R. 273, introduced by Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), that repeals sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act with respect to the adoption tax credit and adoption assistance programs; and H.R. 471, introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), that does the same.
The Kinship Caregiver Support Act (S. 661/H.R. 2188) introduced respectively by Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), allows states the option of using their federal foster care funding to support relatives who become legal guardians of children they’ve cared for as foster parents. The bill also establishes the Kinship Navigator Program to help relative caregivers learn about and access existing programs and services.
The Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Access Act of 2007 (S. 1956/H.R. 4688) introduced respectively by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) and Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), provides Native American Tribes direct access to federal foster care and adoption assistance funding. Currently, only those Indian Tribes that have developed a special contract with a state can receive federal reimbursement for providing child welfare support and services.
The Birthparent Assistance Act of 2008 (H.R. 5640) introduced by Representatives Jean Schmidt (R-OH) and James Oberstar (D-MN), authorizes a $30 million grant program to enhance counseling and other support services for birthparents after they have placed a child with an adoptive family. Funding may also be used for a national hotline and the training of hospital and birthing facility staff as it relates to staff interaction with the birthparents and adoptive families. The legislation also requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on all of the services available to birthparents and how such services might be improved.
What can I do to encourage my Senator or Representative to help children in foster care?
Congressional offices track and pay attention to every call and letter they receive, so contacting your member of Congress is very important. Write or call your Senator and Representative and ask them to reform foster care. If you are in a foster home or you are foster parents, write your Senator and Representative and tell them your story. If your Senator or Representative is a leader in adoption promotion and foster care reform, call or write them to thank them.
What can I do to raise awareness about foster care issues in my community?
You can host a drive in your neighborhood and collect items such as suitcases, games, books, computer equipment or sports equipment for youth in foster care. You can also visit My Stuff Bags Foundation to learn how you can provide items for abused and neglected youth who are entering the foster care system. Making a presentation to your community or faith-based organization, school PTA, church group, rotary club, or social group can also be very effective in educating your community members about children in foster care. Ask local business leaders to offer jobs or apprenticeships at their company or ask them to include a foster care organization in their corporate charitable giving program.
How can I receive regular updates on adoption and foster care?
The National Council For Adoption provides an eMemo newsletter and Adoption Advocate with updates on adoption and foster care, as well as an opportunity to become an advocate in your local community.
Support Families For All
Donate Now
With 114,556 children in foster care waiting to be adopted, you can imagine how much work there is to do so that these children realize their dreams of a loving, permanent family. If you would like to make a donation to Families For All, click here. Families For All is a program of the National Council For Adoption, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to promote the well-being of children, birthparents, and adoptive families by advocating for the positive option of adoption. All donations are tax deductible.
Corporate Giving
If your company would like to partner with Families For All or you would like to include Families For All in your corporate charitable giving program, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 1-866-21-ADOPT for more information.
Contact Us
Families For All is a partnership between the National Council For Adoption and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. To contact the National Council For Adoption for more information on Families For All, please call us at (703) 299-6633 or 1-866-21ADOPT. You can also e-mail us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
How Can I Help
Adopt
Of the 423,773 children in foster care, 114,556 of them are waiting to be adopted. Their parents’ parental rights have been terminated and they are waiting for a family to call their own. You can help! Many married couples and single adults are eligible to adopt. Whether you are young or old, wealthy or of modest means, if you have biological children or no children at all, you can make an extraordinary difference in the life of a child. When you open up your heart and home to a child, you change his or her life forever. Click here to get started!
Foster
Abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes are in desperate need of a loving family to provide safety and stability during a traumatic time. Becoming a foster parent is one generous and loving way you can take care of these children. Foster parents receive ongoing training and support, assistance with paperwork, access to other foster parents and foster parent activities. Click here to get started!
Volunteer
Mentor
Did you know there are 14.6 million children and youth in America who need mentors?* Mentored youth miss fewer days in school, have a better chance of going on to college, and have a more positive outlook on school. Mentoring also appears to help prevent substance abuse and other negative behaviors. ** So what are you waiting for? Become a mentor to a youth and help them achieve their goals. Visit Mentoring today to get started. Or become a virtual mentor to youth in foster care ages 16-23. All volunteers must complete training, submit personal and professional references, and pass a criminal record check. All communication is monitored to ensure safety of teens and volunteers.
CASA
When an abused or neglected child is removed from their home, their world is turned upside down. Social workers, lawyers and judges take their place in this little person’s life while the child tries to pick up the pieces and make sense of what’s happened. When you volunteer to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate – CASA – (known in some states as a Guardian ad litem), you become a crucial voice for that child. A CASA becomes familiar with his/her child’s case and make recommendations to the court so that child will have a safe, loving home. No special education or background is required to be a CASA, just a willingness to be trained and a desire to help abused and neglected children find a safe and permanent home.
Respite Care
Respite care providers volunteer their time to supervise children in foster care so that foster parents can take a break. If you want to make a difference in the life of a child in your community and support foster parents, or if you are considering foster parenting and are not sure yet if you can make a long-term commitment, becoming a respite care provider might be the next step for you. Every state or county has its own procedures for respite care providers. To learn how you can be a respite care provider, click here for state-specific information.
Volunteer at an Agency
One way you can help is to volunteer at your local foster care agency. Social workers and agency staff are oftentimes overwhelmed with caseloads, paperwork and other responsibilities. Any amount of time you can volunteer could make a huge difference. To find the foster care agency in your community, contact your Foster Care Specialist within your state.
*Mentor/National Mentoring Partnership
**ChildTrends
Policy Reform History
Since its founding in 1980, the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) has been a leader in advancing adoption and child welfare policies that promote adoption of children out of foster care, present adoption as a positive option for women with unplanned pregnancies, reduce obstacles to transracial adoption, make adoption more affordable, and facilitate intercountry adoption.
In 1981, NCFA’s educational efforts assisted in the passage of the Adolescent Family Life Act which promoted adoption as an alternative for adolescent parents, and the federal government’s decision to provide a $1,500 tax credit to adoptive parents for expenses associated with adopted special needs children.
In 1986, NCFA successfully promoted an increase from $1,500 to $6,000 in the tax credit that adoptive parents of children with special needs could claim.
In 1988, NCFA assisted in the promotion of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, which improved adoption assistance and strengthened support for abandoned infants.
In 1992, NCFA educated policymakers on the need to pass the Uniform Adoption Act, which facilitated adoption placements and protected confidentiality in adoption.
In 1994, NCFA’s educational efforts were instrumental in the passage of the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA) which, as amended by the Interethnic Adoption Provisions (IEAP) of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, stipulates that states may not deny or delay any adoptive or foster placement on the basis of the race or ethnic background of either the child or the prospective parents.
In 1997, NCFA supported the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which created substantial incentives for providing permanent families for children and is widely credited with increasing the number of adoptions from foster care in subsequent years. NCFA also educated policymakers on the need to pass the Immigration and Nationality Act, which provided automatic American citizenship for many children adopted abroad.
In 2001, NCFA promoted the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, which increased the tax credit that parents of all adopted children could claim to $10,000, to be adjusted for inflation.
In 2005, NCFA supported the passage of the Fair Access to Foster Care Act, which allowed foster care maintenance payments for private, for-profit agencies.
In 2006, NCFA promoted the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act, which expedites the process for placing foster and adopted children into homes across state lines.
In 2008, NCFA was instrumental in securing passage of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, which extends and improves the Adoption Incentives program, makes all children with special needs eligible for federal adoption assistance by 2018, and allows states the option of extending adoption assistance payments to youths aged 19, 20, or 21. This was the most comprehensive child welfare reform bill since the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
For years, NCFA has been promoting awareness of the need for judicial accountability and the establishment of performance measures for juvenile and family courts to ensure that children do not languish in foster care. NCFA’s educational activities helped inform Congress’s decision (in P.L. 109-171) to fund case tracking, so courts can better monitor and improve their permanency planning, and training for judges and court administrators.
Families for All
America’s child welfare system is broken. Of the 423,773 children in foster care, 114,556 of them are waiting to be adopted. And of those children who are waiting to be adopted, the average length of stay is three and a half years. Families For All is a program of the National Council For Adoption*, in partnership with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Rodney Atkins to help children in foster care find safe and loving, permanent homes. In every state including the District of Columbia, there are abused and neglected children who are in foster care through no fault of their own. Their dream is to have a loving, permanent family and our goal is to help them. There are more than 55-million married-couple households and millions of qualified single adults who could provide loving families for these vulnerable children. There is no better time than now to adopt, foster parent, mentor, or be an advocate for a child in foster care. Together we can provide families for all.
*The National Council For Adoption is a research, education, and advocacy nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the well-being of children, birthparents, and adoptive families by advocating for the positive option of adoption.
Today
More recently, NCFA has been educating Congress on the need to pass comprehensive federal foster care financing reform in order to expedite placement for the 510,000 children in foster care. NCFA’s recommendations to Congress center on reassessing child welfare priorities and reallocating resources so as to give more emphasis and funding to strategies for moving children quickly through the child welfare system, particularly the crucial but neglected strategy of adoptive and foster parent recruitment and training.