Adopting A Child About Adoption

Most children in the foster care system eventually go home or are placed permanently with relatives or family friends. However, some children can never go home. These children are in need of permanent adoptive families. Nationwide, there are over 500,000 children in foster care who are legally available for adoption. In Florida there are over 1,600 children waiting to be adopted and many of these children are in our local area.

These children are usually older, school aged children. Many are members of sibling groups who want to grow up together in the same family. Some have mental, physical or emotional handicaps. Many are children of color. All have been abused, neglected or abandoned and are in need of loving forever families.

Adopting a child “with special needs” can be challenging and difficult. It requires adoptive parents to have patience and unconditional commitment to a child as he or she slowly learns to trust and heal from the experiences that brought them into the system. Adoption is also very rewarding for parents as they watch their children finally start to feel safe and settled and begin to blossom. Adoption means a second chance for a child to have a life long, loving forever family. Adoption means a commitment to a child’s entire life!

For more information about adoption, call 1-800-307-8874

Adoption Home Requirements

• Both married and single adults may apply to adopt.
• Prior parenting experience is not required to adopt.
• Adoptive families must have sufficient income to meet their own expenses as well as those of the adopted child but there are no set income limits for adoptive families.
• Adoptive families must have sufficient room in their home for an adopted child but there are no set requirements about housing.
• Adoptive parents must have sufficient physical and emotional ability to meet the needs of an adopted child but otherwise there are no restrictions on the age or medical conditions of an adopted child.
• Individuals convicted of certain crimes of violence such as child abuse, domestic violence or murder may not adopt.

Adoption Process
All adoption applicants must complete a 30-hour training program called Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting. There is no cost or commitment for individuals taking this class. Adoption applicants must also participate in an adoptive home study. This process includes family as well as individual interviews, FBI, FDLE, local police, child abuse clearances, references and income verifications.

Adoption Benefits
There is no cost to anyone who adopts a child with “special needs” from the Department of Children and Families and FamiliesFirst Network. Adoptive families receive training, supervision and support services. Adopted children are eligible for an adoption subsidy, medical coverage through Medicaid and “free” college tuition. Adoptive families are eligible to receive a one-time federal tax credit of $10,000 for adopting a “special needs” child.

To see pictures of many of Florida’s “waiting children” go to www.dcf.state.fl.us/adoption/