Adopting through foster care is a life-changing journey filled with both challenges and rewards. Whether you are in the first steps of considering foster care adoption or are already in the process, you likely have many questions about what to expect. In this blog, we aim to answer the most frequently asked questions about foster care adoption, providing you with essential information on the process, legalities, emotional considerations, and support systems available.
We aim to help you navigate this path confidently and clearly, ensuring you are well-prepared to welcome a new member into your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption
Why do children enter foster care?
Children enter foster care through no fault of their own. Often they are victims of abuse or neglect. Sometimes children are not safe in their families, and social services must make the decision to bring them into the foster system. Although this is meant to be a temporary measure while the biological parents get help, sometimes it is necessary to terminate parental rights and move toward adoption.
Can I adopt children from all over or just the children on your website?
We are dedicated to finding homes for all of Virginia’s children in foster care. We feature specific children for whom we recruit a family, but we work with Virginia’s Department of Social Services. Our Foster Care Adoption program cannot explore out-of-state children unless a family comes to us with an already-approved match.
How long does the adoption process take?
Becoming matched with a child can take about six months to several years, depending on the timing of training classes, your personal schedule, and the amount of time it takes to be matched with a child. After the child is placed with you, we provide parent coaching to help with trauma-based behaviors, attachment challenges, and the overall adjustment to a “new normal.” The state requires six months of supervision before a legal adoption.
Can I adopt if I already have children?
Yes, you can expand your family through the gift of adoption if you already have children, although we strongly recommend that any children already in your home be age ten or older.
Are there age and salary requirements for adoption? Do I have to be married or own a home?
You can adopt a child whether you are single, married, or divorced. Couples must have been married for at least three years. There are no specific income requirements, but you must be able to manage adding a child or children to your family financially. We will consider your finances during the home study process.
It doesn’t matter whether you rent or own, live in an apartment, a house, or a mobile home; all you need is a clean and safe home. CHSVA does require applicants to be at least 25 years old.
How much does adoption cost?
Our training classes are offered at $150 per person, and the home study is provided at a discounted rate of $1,500.
Does the state offer financial assistance for adoption?
Foster and adoptive families receive a monthly maintenance payment from social services to offset the cost of caring for the child. Children adopted from foster care are also eligible for an adoption subsidy based on the child’s emotional, physical, and behavioral needs.
What kind of support will be available for my family and the child during the adoption process and after the adoption is finalized?
Your social worker will support you and your child throughout the process. Connecting with community resources is crucial; we will help you do this. We have a program specifically for supporting families after their adoptions are finalized. You can read more about our Post Adoption Program here.
Why aren’t younger children available for adoption from foster care? How can I adopt a child 11 years old or younger?
Most children entering care today are ten years of age or older. The Department of Social Services works hard to prevent younger children from coming into foster care and works to find family members to care for younger children. Younger children in foster care are usually adopted by their foster parents. For this reason, most families who want to adopt very young children choose to become approved through their local DSS. CHSVA works with families who want to adopt very young children from foster care – however, these families often experience an extended matching period.
Will I meet the birth parents/family?
With foster care adoption, a child is placed in your home as a foster placement for at least six months before the adoption process can begin. Often, the child’s parental rights have already been terminated. However, in “legal risk placements,” the termination of parental rights is still in progress, and efforts are being made toward reunification. If the goal is reunification, it is common for foster parents to meet the biological parents of their foster child.
The caseworker typically arranges and supervises meetings with the biological parents to ensure a positive and safe interaction for everyone involved.
When parental rights are terminated, contact with the birth parents is typically handled on a case-by-case basis and under the approval and supervision of their local custodial agency (The Department of Social Services). In this case, foster-to-adopt parents may connect with and include them in the child’s life as deemed appropriate.
Why might it be helpful to meet the birth parents/family?
Meeting biological parents can help foster parents understand the child’s background and needs, facilitate smoother transitions, and support the child’s emotional well-being by maintaining family connections. These meetings, typically arranged and supervised by the caseworker, ensure safe and positive interactions.
The circumstances and frequency of these meetings depend on several factors, including the child’s case plan, the child’s and biological parents’ wishes, and legal and safety considerations.
If contact with birth parents is not maintained, foster parents should be aware that children often naturally seek out their biological family later in life. They might be curious about their genetic or cultural history, want information about their life before foster care, or seek connections with extended family. Foster-to-adopt parents need to be prepared to support their children through this emotional journey and assist them in navigating their search and potential connection.
If I adopt from foster care, where is that child or youth living while we are in the process of adopting him/her?
Once you are matched with a child in foster care, they will remain in their current placement, whether it’s a foster home, group home, or residential treatment center, until they transition to your home. Ideally, a series of pre-placement visits will occur before the transition. During these visits, the child can spend time with your family in the community and your home, including overnight stays. This process allows both the child and your family to build a relationship and get to know each other better.
After the child is placed in your home, it will initially be a foster placement for at least six months before the process of finalizing the legal adoption can begin. This period ensures that all necessary supports and services, such as therapy, mentoring, medical care, and academic support, are identified and established. It also allows everyone to feel comfortable and confident in moving toward permanency.
What are some successful traits in foster/adoptive parents?
- Stability
- Self-awareness
- Flexibility
- Tendency to not take things personally
- Trauma-informed parenting approach
- Good sense of humor
- Ability to provide structure
- Clear communication
- Ability to manage various schedules, appointments, and providers
- Being a good advocate for youth’s needs
- Open to feedback and trying new parenting strategies
- Willing to celebrate small victories as progress takes time
- Have good support and are eager to accept help
- Ability to work within a youth’s team and system that can often be frustrating
- Patience
- Commitment to work through challenges together
How many children are waiting?
The number constantly changes, but currently, about 700 children and teens are waiting and available to be adopted.
What is an adoption home study?
In Virginia, state law requires families to have an approved home study to adopt a child. Following training, families may submit an application for a home study. The home study process allows us to gather information about you to match you with a child whose needs you are equipped to meet. The process will further educate and prepare you for adoption as we determine together your readiness to adopt. The home study comprises at least three interviews with a CHSVA social worker, including a visit to your home. Our social workers will request criminal background checks, a search of the child abuse registry, DMV records, medical and financial histories, and personal references. On average, a home study takes about three months.
Our Adoption Process
There are several steps to receiving placement for a child who is waiting for a permanent, loving home in foster care:
- Schedule a virtual orientation with one of our social workers to learn more about the process and complete an adoption application.
- Complete our training series to help prepare you for the special challenges of parenting a child or teen who has faced childhood trauma such as abuse or neglect. Our training series includes a mix of self-guided and live virtual training modules offered several times throughout the year.
- Complete a home study and receive approval.
- Complete the matching process with a child or teen.
- Make preliminary visits with your child.
- Welcome your child home and begin the six-month supervisory period before legally finalizing the adoption. During this time, you will receive post-adoption services.
Adopting from foster care is a beautiful decision that profoundly transforms lives. It opens the door to providing a stable, loving home for children who have faced adversity and uncertainty. These children, who might otherwise drift through the system, find not just a house but a true family, a place where they belong and are cherished.
Adopting from foster care is a powerful act of compassion and commitment. It offers children the chance to heal and thrive in a nurturing environment. This journey, though sometimes challenging, is enriching as it changes the course of a child’s life and enriches the family in ways beyond measure. If you want to adopt a child through foster care, please reach out to us today.
What is Private Adoption?
Aside from foster care adoption, we also can assist with private adoption. We can help with three types of private adoption:
- Parental placement: In this situation, the birth parent(s) have chosen the adoptive parent(s) for their baby and made plans to place the child directly in their care. The birth parent(s) and adoptive parent(s) have had communication with one another before contacting the adoption agency. An attorney will be needed to facilitate the legal process. CHS can assist with the home study and supervisory visits.
- Adopting a child you have custody of: For families who have legal custody of a child and wish to adopt him or her, we can complete a home study and assist with related paperwork. Families will need to hire an attorney to begin the process in court.
- Family/relative adoption: If you are related to the birth parent(s) and plan to adopt their child, it may be either a parental placement or a custody situation, depending on the child’s age and circumstances. In either case, you will need to contact an attorney to begin the process, and we can assist with the required home study and paperwork.
Support Virginia Adoption
We understand that adoption can be an overwhelming journey. If you have other questions about the adoption process, please read our FAQ page or feel free to get in touch with us.
Imagine offering a child the gift of stability, love, and the chance to flourish in a nurturing home. The impact of adoption extends far beyond the immediate family, as it creates positive change in communities and society. For the child, it means a future filled with possibilities, free from the uncertainty of foster care. For the adoptive parents, it brings unparalleled joy and fulfillment as they experience the deep bond and unconditional love that only parenthood can provide.
By choosing to adopt, you become a beacon of hope, making a lifelong difference in the life of a child who desperately needs a family. This selfless act changes their world and enriches your own with love, purpose, and a legacy that will resonate through generations.