Getting Educated about Foster Adoption

Getting Educated About Foster Adoption

Guest post by Melissa Duralia

If you are seriously considering the possibility of expanding your family through adoption, there are numerous things to think about beforehand. One of the most important decisions to make is what type of adoption you will pursue (domestic, international, foster, etc.). While there may be many options to adopt worldwide, it can be very gratifying to look within your own community to fulfill your parenting desires while also fulfilling the needs of a foster child awaiting permanent placement. There are a number of myths and preconceived notions concerning foster adoption, but the only way to find out the truth is to do your own research. Getting educated about the various elements of foster adoption will help you decide what the next course of action will be for you and your family.

Steps to Foster Adoption

There are generally seven steps that those looking into foster adoption should be aware of.

Deciding to Pursue – This is when you will contact a local adoption agency to express interest and find out more information.
Applying – Some states require completion of training and an in-depth application that includes letters of reference, a background check and verification of income.
Home Study – A home study will be done by a caseworker who is assessing your adoption eligibility.
Approval – Getting approved for adoption will be the next step in your journey.
Being Matched – Next, your family will be matched with a child that your caseworker feels is a good fit for both parties.
Receiving a Placement – Once you’ve agreed to a placement, you will welcome the child into your home and begin developing your new family.
Legalization – The final step will be to follow the proper procedure to legalize the adoption within the court system.

Pre-Adoption Training and Preparation

Throughout the adoption process there will be periods of waiting, which are ideal for you to continue with training and preparing yourself and your family for the new child that will become a part of your life. Prospective parents should make sure to consider both emotional and physical preparations and take advantage of the resources provided by adoption agencies to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

Adoption Laws

Since foster adoption concerns the legal system, it’s important to read up on the federal laws and your specific state requirements regarding the process. State regulations may refer to the rights of birth parents, consent of adoption, expenses, collection of biological family information, etc. Becoming familiar with the various statutes of your state will be beneficial and keep you from experiencing an unpleasant surprise.

Common Foster Adoption Challenges

It can be challenging to parent foster children that have been abused or neglected and/or are carrying the weight of losing their birth parents. However, no matter the circumstance, parenting is guaranteed to come with challenges and you can only do your best to properly approach difficult situations that arise. Learning how to skillfully deal with these particular emotions and the behaviors that come as a result is key in overcoming them successfully so that you can positively move forward with your new relationship as adoptive parent and child.

Post-Adoption

Once your adoption is complete, you won’t simply be left to figure out the world of parenting on your own. There are many post-adoption services provided by child welfare agencies as well as support groups filled with people who have gone through the exact same experience as you and can offer advice and resources.

Arming yourself with education about the ins and outs of foster adoption will prepare you for an enjoyable journey of parenting, made more rewarding by knowing you will be making a significant difference in a child’s life by taking them out of the foster care system and giving them a place to call home.

Melissa Duralia lives a family-centered life and enjoys writing and reading about all of the different types of families and cultures. She believes parental love and family support are key components of a child’s emotional and social development, and she and her fiance plan to foster adopt in Shasta County, CA. Melissa spends time with her fiance, cat- Simba, and spunky niece in her free time.

Getting Educated about Foster Adoption