Our Fost-Adopt program was created to bridge the gap between a child’s initial need for temporary care and the long-term need for a permanent home. HFS works with public social services to assist in these placements. In California, foster parents are now called Resource Parents. Even if you are only interested in having foster youth placed in your home for the purposes of adoption, you will still be considered Resource Parents.
HFS social workers train Resource Parents and place a child in their care before the parental rights of child’s biological parents have been permanently terminated. Resource Parents make a commitment to adopt the child if and when those rights are terminated, and the child is legally free to be adopted.
The Fost-Adopt process consists of the following sequence of steps:
The foster adoption process begins with two-hour orientation that walks participants through the adoption process and general information about the foster care system. Holy Family Services provides monthly orientations to prospective Resource Parents seeking information about our programs. We equip prospective parents with a step-by-step overview of the legal, financial, and emotional process in becoming adoptive parents through foster care. HFS lays out a clear framework for what’s required by state law to qualify to become Resource Parents.
Once the orientation step is completed, HFS provides a registration packet that includes self-study materials and intake forms. Individuals and/or couples who choose to proceed submit their completed materials along with a non-refundable $100 registration fee which initiates the intake interview. The interview are usually done at our office during regular work hours.
Upon completion of the intake interview, prospective clients will receive an application. This detailed packet includes a checklist of ALL California requirements to become a Resource Family, including medical clearances, criminal background checks, birth and/or marriage certificates, financial disclosure forms, references, etc.
After applicants have completed the application packet, HFS will begin the assessment with one-on-one and couple interviews (if applicable). HFS will also evaluate the home for safety and trainings are required prior to approval. All this information is collected to create a family Psychosocial Assessment or home study.
This assessment looks at prospective parents’ personal history, financial stability, medical well-being and current home safety. HFS walks individuals and families through the process in a respectful and non-judgmental way.
HFS will provide prospective Resource Parents pursuing adoption with specialized training (30 hours) to enhance their knowledge of child development, parenting skills specific to the needs of foster children, and a look into the child welfare system.
Additional classes are required for Resource Parents. This include CPR, First Aid, and Water Safety (if there is a body of water on their property). All classes need to stay current while an active adoptive parent.
Once prospective parents have received an approved assessment they are approved to match with children in the foster care system. We have a close relationship with surrounding counties and will give all of them your approved assessment to better your chances to match with children you are open to. You will tell us what ages, ethnicities, behaviors, risk levels and amount of children you are open to.
If there are situations that your social work thinks you might be interested, they will contact you to discuss. You are involved in the matching process by participating in meetings in which you will learn about the children you are interested in.
Unlike infant adoption, children placed through the fost-adopt program enter the home as foster children prior to the completion of the adoption process, with the clear understanding that they will be adopted by the Resource Parents as soon as possible. They remain with their new families as foster children until the process of terminating birth parent rights is complete, and the adoption process is formalized.
The cost of adopting through this program is much less because it is subsidized by the State. You will pay a total of $1,500, but you will get monthly foster payments once a child is placed in your home. That stipend will continue even after your adoption has finalized until the child is 18 years old. These payments are non-taxable. The $1,500 will be refunded to you as soon as your adoption is complete.
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