How to Adopt a Child From Foster Care Faster

National Adoption Day for our 10 year old

You have your approved adoptive homestudy that says you can adopt an older child with special needs of any race including sibling groups from state foster care. You thought these criteria would help you get a child placed with you quickly for adoption. After all, there are thousands of children waiting to be adopted in every state right? So what is taking so long? Why isn't your phone ringing off the hook with potential children for your family to adopt? What can you do to adopt a child from foster care faster?

Things You'll Need

• Approved Homestudy
• Family Photo
• Copy of Homestudy
• Fax Machine
• Internet Access
• AAN Registration

Instructions

1. 

   Request an approved copy of your most recent homestudy. Scan it into a word or jpg file onto your computer. When you see a child who you are interested in, offer to email or fax your homestudy directly. Some workers will accept this, at least as initial contact, others only want information from your caseworker. In that case, you will need to be patient as most workers have large caseloads, but let your worker know if this is a child that you are really interested in. Just be careful how many times you say that.

2. 

   Choose one or two pictures of your family. If you choose two, an active one doing something your families loves to do together is a good choice. When you send out your homestudy include a photo. If your agency is sending the homestudy, ask the worker if you can mail or email a photo to attach to it. If you happen to be chosen for a placement planning meeting, ask if you can send a small photo album.

3. 

   Register with Adopt America Network, adoptamericanetwork.org. They can help you get your child faster. They will send your study faster than your agency and their volunteers will call and check with workers frequently on your behalf.

Tips & Warnings

• Register with the various state adoption websites when that is an option. Texas has a registration for example, as does adoptuskids.org, the Adoption Exchange, Spence-Chapin, and CHASK.org to name a few.

• Don't give up, your child is waiting for you

Resources

• How to Take the Adoption Tax Credit for Failed Adoption
• Adopt for Free and Get Special Needs Adoption Income Tax Credit
• How to Write an Autobiography for Adoption Homestudy of Baby or Older Child
• Are Your Chances of State Adoption Better If You Foster Children With Intent to Adopt?
• Can Your U.S. Family Adopt a Baby From Cameroon?
• Texas Adoption Exchange
• Adopt US Kids
• Waiting Children with Special Needs
• Meet a child who's right for your family.
• Florida DHS
• Children's Home Society
• Christian Homes for Special Kids
• Northwest Adoption Exchange
• Adopt America Network
• North American Council on Adoptable Children