Myths & Facts

Myth:
It takes a long time to adopt a child currently in foster care.

Fact:
The process to adopt a foster child includes attending a 10-week preparation course, completing a home study and obtaining physical exams. This process usually can be completed within eight months. When a child is matched with your family, pre-placement activities will occur including visits and regular communications with the child. Placement of the child will occur as soon as the child is comfortable. The child's counselor will supervise the placement for a minimum of 90 days. When the supervision period is completed, the counselor will provide consents to your attorney and a hearing may be scheduled for legalization of the adoption.

Myth:
It is expensive to adopt a child currently in foster care.

Fact:
Adopting a foster child is not expensive. The main costs for a foster care adoption are court costs and attorney fees. In most cases, these costs are less than $500 and may be reimbursed by the state.

Myth:
You have to be a foster parent first to adopt a child from foster care.

Fact:
It is true that over 50% of our adoptive placements are with foster parents who cared for the children as foster children first. However, it is not necessary to be a foster parent to adopt a foster child. For some families considering adoption, becoming a foster family first can be a wonderful learning and rewarding experience. It is important, though, to remember that most foster children are reunited with their parents or are placed with relatives and never become available for adoption.

Myth:
All the children available for adoption through Children & Families are disabled.

Fact:
Many of the foster children awaiting adoption do not have physical or mental disabilities. Some children, however, do have special needs. Most children with disabilities thrive in loving, permanent homes.

Myth:
You have to be young or financially wealthy to adopt.

Fact:
Many of our most successful adoptive parents are older or have modest incomes. In fact, older parents may be a better match for an older child. As long as you can provide for a child's basic material needs, you may adopt. Children need loving and patient parents, not necessarily wealthy ones.

Myth:
Teenage foster children really don't want to be adopted.

Fact:
While many teens have experienced multiple rejections and are hesitant to try adoption, it is important for them to have a family to assist them through the remaining years of adolescence and to be supportive into their adult years. Everyone needs a family and family ties do not end at 18. There is a need for adoptive families who have the patience to parent a teen who may be slow to trust.