Give kids, teens, and siblings a home by adopting from foster care
Adoption changes the world for youth in foster care
Imagine growing up without the stability of a permanent family. In the U.S., more than 100,000 children and teens in foster care are waiting to be adopted. And every year, more than 20,000 youth age out of foster care without the safety and security of a family.
Children enter foster care after being removed from their biological families due to neglect or abuse. The goal of foster care is to reunite them with their biological families as soon as it’s safe to do so. But when this isn’t possible, children and teens need a family that will always be there for them.
Young adults who leave foster care without a family’s support face a difficult future. Many are instantly left homeless. And without a family’s care and guidance, they are more likely to experience substance use, mental health disorders, and ongoing instability.
You can help break this cycle by giving children the security of a stable, nurturing family.
You don’t have to be perfect to adopt from foster care
The most important quality you need to be an adoptive parent is a deep commitment to children who have been through life-changing trauma and loss.
Adopting a child from foster care is all about opening your heart and home to a child who needs a family. Great adoptive families are flexible, patient, and able to go with the flow. They are committed to their child’s well-being, no matter what.
Will there be challenges along the way? Of course. But your team of Bethany experts will provide training, resources, and support to answer your questions and help you navigate the ups and downs. For over 75 years, Bethany has guided families through the adoption process, and our experience is one reason why we’re one of the largest adoption agencies in the U.S.
The journey of adoption
Informational meeting
The first step is to fill out our contact form. Staff at your closest Bethany branch will reach out and invite you to a free informational meeting.
Learning and training
Parenting children who have experienced trauma is not the same as parenting biological children who have a natural connection with you. Our training on trauma-informed parenting will teach you how to build trust and give you new strategies for regulating and redirecting behaviors that will encourage deeper connection with your child.
Background check and home study
Your home study includes descriptive information about your childhood, adult life, family and community, marriage and children (if applicable), parenting style, discipline strategies, understanding of trauma, and other critical elements. The process may seem intrusive, but safety is our top priority. We need to ensure that you can provide a safe, responsible home for children who have been through very hard things. The total process takes six to nine months to complete your training, background checks, and home study.
Matching and adoptive placement
Bethany’s approach to adoption has always been to find families for children, not children for families. So, your home study will help workers assess whether your family is equipped to care for the specific needs of an available child. This is the matching process. Once your family is matched with a child, there’s a transition period that includes multiple visits with the child before an adoptive placement occurs.
Post-adoption support
Adoption can present unique challenges, even long after the adoption has been finalized. Whether you’re an adoptee, birth parent, or adoptive parent, we can help you find information or services to meet your needs.
Frequently asked questions about adopting from foster care
What’s the typical age and background of children in foster care waiting to be adopted?
Children waiting to be adopted from foster care are generally between ages 8-18. They may be part of a sibling group. Because of childhood trauma, they often have additional physical, emotional, or learning needs.
Can I adopt a baby from foster care?
When infants are adopted from foster care, they're almost always adopted by relatives or families who were already serving as their foster family. The overwhelming majority of children waiting to be adopted from foster care are school-age children.
It’s natural to have questions about adopting an older child. Our staff would love to talk with you about your questions, concerns, and expectations.
Can I adopt more than one child?
Yes! Many waiting children want nothing more than to be adopted together with their siblings. This is a great need and opportunity.
What relationship will I have with my child’s biological family?
Openness is possible and encouraged to keep your child connected with their biological family. This could include grandparents, extended family members, and the child’s siblings. Depending on the child’s history, openness will look different from family to family. Your adoption specialist can help you take the first steps to maintain important relationships in your child’s life.
Do I need to be licensed as a foster parent before I adopt from foster care?
Most adoptive parents are licensed foster parents as well. Having a license as a foster parent does not mean your family has to foster before you can adopt. But being a licensed foster parent typically eases the child’s transition into your home during the visitation phase of the adoption process.
Making foster care adoption affordable
The amount of financial assistance provided to families varies from state to state. Some states fully cover the costs of foster care adoption. When adopting children with special needs from the child welfare system, you may qualify for the Federal Adoption Tax Credit. We’ll help you understand the financial assistance options in your state.
It’s normal to have concerns about the potential cost of adopting a child. While actual costs differ by state, foster care adoption expenses are often minimal.
Find resources
Find resources
Opening the conversation
How a family decided to adopt teens.
There’s life after aging out of foster care
Young people face an uphill climb when they age out of foster care without a family.
"We can do this"
Adoption from foster care keep three siblings together.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact us
When you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, we’ll connect you with a foster care adoption specialist.
Attend a meeting
Find a location to join us for a free, no-commitment informational meeting in your area to explore if foster care adoption is right for you.
Become a foster parent
Your help—now more than ever—is critical to show kids and families they’re not alone. Take the first step toward becoming a foster parent.
