1. Introduction to Adoption from Foster Care
This training was created through a collaboration between Regional Adoption Staff, the Statewide Adoption Program Manager and the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence.

2. Let’s start with: What’s your name?
Are you currently caring for a child from foster care?
What do you hope to get from this training?
allianceforchildwelfare.org

3. How to make the right choice for you
OBJECTIVES
Today we will cover:
Steps to adoption
Who can adopt
And who can be adopted
Types of adoption
How to make the right choice for you
allianceforchildwelfare.org

4. Why do children enter Foster Care?
Abuse
Physical
Sexual (including sexual exploitation)
Emotional
Neglect
Medical
Educational
allianceforchildwelfare.org

5. Scenario 1
What questions would you ask the case worker if you were called for placement?
What might you ask about Nevaeh given her history?
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6. What is Adoption?
Permanent, legal transfer of all parental rights from one person/couple to another person/couple.
Social and legal protective measure for children in our care.
Greatest form of permanency we can offer kids unable to return home.
allianceforchildwelfare.org

7. Core concepts of Adoption
Merging of two families and cultures
Creating a new family culture
Honoring the child’s culture
Maintaining sibling contact
A lifelong commitment by the whole family
Committing to a child on worst days and best days
Developing a contingency plan
Planning for the future
allianceforchildwelfare.org

8. Who can adopt? People over 18 and no specific age limit
People who are married, single or in a relationship
Straight, gay, lesbian and transgender parents
People of any ethnicity or social group
People of any religion or no religious preference
People who rent or own their home
People who live in an apartment
People with high and low incomes
People with or without children
People with all kinds of backgrounds
allianceforchildwelfare.org

9. Who can be adopted? Legally free
Parents’ rights have been terminated by the court
Children 14 years or older must consent to their adoption.
allianceforchildwelfare.org

10. How do we get to adoption?
Reunification
Adoption
Guardianship
Concurrent Planning: Actively working on two or more potential permanency options for a child.
allianceforchildwelfare.org

11. Legal Steps to Adoption
Child is found to be dependent
Decision is made through shared planning process to file termination of parental rights petition
Termination of parental rights is ordered
Child is now legally free
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12. Who are the Children waiting for adoption?
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13. Scenario 2 How has it changed during her time in care?
What is Nevaeh’s Permanent Plan?
How has it changed during her time in care?
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14. Placement Considerations
Parent’s Preference
Relative or Tribe
All siblings placed together whenever possible
A suitable person placement
A licensed out of home setting
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15. Considerations for Permanency
Consider the child’s best interests
Consider time in out of home care
Consider stability for the child
Consider a placement that meets the child’s safety, and well-being needs including:
Educational, Psychological, Relationships, Medical, Safety
allianceforchildwelfare.org

16. Scenario 3
Is sibling and extended biological family contact something your family would consider?
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17. Advised Steps to Adoption
Be clear about your needs
Think about & explore your “deal breakers:”
Are you comfortable with not knowing what a child’s future behavior will be?
You may have to change your parenting style to parent a child in out of home care due to abuse or neglect issues.
allianceforchildwelfare.org

18. The Steps in Adoption Public or private agency?
License to foster and adopt; or adopt only
Contact and begin working with an agency
Complete your home study
Matching
Placement
Finalization
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19. Two ways to adopt No Fees Fees
Private Agencies
Public Agencies
Fees
Sliding Scale or no cost
$5,000 to $40,000
More likely to have case management
More likely to help you with matching
No Fees
You are your own advocate for placements
May be asked to foster youth that are not going to be moving toward adoption; you can say no
allianceforchildwelfare.org

20. Two Paths to Adoption Foster to Adopt Adoption Only
Complete an approved Unified home study
Identified by CA social worker as the adoptive placement
Assume the caregiving responsibility of children who are placed in state care with the possibility that the child will become available for adoption
Complete an adoption home study
Identified by CA social worker as the adoptive placement
Provide care for legally free children for the purposes of adoption
Also occurs with some private agencies or independent home study writers
allianceforchildwelfare.org

21. Foster to Adopt Cons Pros Legal risk Majority of children will reunify
Gain parenting experience
Placement of young kids
Opportunity to get to know bio family
Earlier opportunities to address special needs
Build attachment with child sooner
Monthly foster reimbursement
Increased likelihood of adopting child placed in your home for foster care
Legal risk
Majority of children will reunify
Visitation with bio-parent and contact with other bio-family members
Lengthy court process and possible appeals
Uncertainty as to outcome
allianceforchildwelfare.org

22. Adoption Only Pros Cons Low to no legal risk
Matching process gives families more time to plan
Little legal involvement
Info about child’s needs provided upfront
Older children and teens seeking adoption
No requests for foster placement
Waiting
Matching process
Fewer young children and infants
No foster care subsidy but might qualify for adoption support
Less likelihood to have contact with birth-family
allianceforchildwelfare.org

23. Points to Consider Before Adopting
What are your family’s needs?
Which type of agency will best meet those needs?
Which process will best meet those needs?
Ask Yourself:
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24. Home Study
An in-depth assessment of a family’s history and current family dynamic, home environment, health, and resources that includes a recommendation of adoption
All families, foster and adopt, must have a home study
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25. The Home Study Includes: Application
Criminal history background check on all people 16 and over residing in the home
Child abuse and criminal clearances
Personal information
Medical statements
Income/financial statement
Marital History Form
References ( Incl. all adult children)
Contacts with licensing social worker (three face to face contacts including at least two in the family home)
Includes:
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26. What’s Next?
After home study is complete, be proactive and self-advocate
Awaiting placement or matching with your child
Use the time to attend trainings
You may receive calls about fostering a child
allianceforchildwelfare.org

27. Scenario 4 What does proactive and self-advocate mean to you?
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28. Create a cover letter or biography
While You’re Waiting…
Include personal information not included in your home study
Do not overshare
Be real
Be concise
Include a handful of photos
Create a cover letter or biography
allianceforchildwelfare.org

29. DIVISION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES (DCFS)
Who is your worker?
DIVISION OF LICENSED
RESOURCES (DLR)
DIVISION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES (DCFS)
Licensor
Home Study Specialist
Child Protective Services (CPS)
Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS)
Adoption Specialist
allianceforchildwelfare.org

30. We look for families to match the child’s needs
Matching
The process of identifying a family whose traits and skills compliment the unique needs of a child (or siblings)
We look for families to match the child’s needs
allianceforchildwelfare.org

31. How are Matches made? Placement desk Selection committee
Matching events
Recruitment websites
Additional resources
allianceforchildwelfare.org

32. Scenario 5 How does your family handle anxiety and uncertainty?
What considerations do you think are taken into account?
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33. Placement to Finalization
Monthly social worker visits with child(ren) continue
Minimum of six months in their current placement prior to finalization
Family must receive full disclosure of child’s background and information
If the child is eligible, Adoption Support must be negotiated
Identify an attorney and file an adoption petition
allianceforchildwelfare.org

34. Scenario 6
Is your family able to adapt to behavior changes and love a child for who they are rather than how they act?
Is there something a child could do that would make you stop the adoption process?
allianceforchildwelfare.org

35. Adoption Support: Medical —Medicaid Pre-authorized counseling
A program offered to adoptive parents of special needs children that can provide financial, medical and counseling assistance
Medical —Medicaid
Pre-authorized counseling
One Time Adoption Costs
Monthly Cash Assistance
allianceforchildwelfare.org

36. Next Steps
Interview prospective agencies (including the Division of Licensed Resources).
Select your agency
If you select a private agency, call them and ask how to start the process
If you decide to be licensed by the State, sign-up for the required trainings
Complete your application materials (including background checks)
allianceforchildwelfare.org

37. Additional Resources Washington Adoption Resource Exchange (WARE)
warekids.org
Northwest Adoption Resource Exchange (NWAE)
nwae.org
AdoptUSKids.org
Waiting Child Parties
Kids’ Fest and Rotary Family Fest
KXLY Spokane Wednesday’s Child
World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP), A Family for Me program
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
davethomasfoundation.org
Request that your worker present your family at Consortium
allianceforchildwelfare.org

38. Thank you! For Additional Information Contact:
Holly Luna for Region 3
Laurie Washington for Region 2
Andrea Goberville for Region 1 South
MaShelle Hess for Region 1 North
This training was created through a collaboration between Regional Adoption Staff, the Statewide Adoption Program Manager and the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence.
allianceforchildwelfare.org