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Adopt Thru Foster Care

A word about reunification…

The primary goal of foster care is to provide a nurturing home for children until it is safe for them to return to their families. When it is safe to do so, returning home is best for the children; however, sometimes reunification isn’t possible. When this happens, the State is responsible for finding a permanent home for the children, which may include adoption.

WHEN REUNIFICATION IS NOT AN OPTION

While roughly 50% of children in foster care will reunite with their families, there will always be a need for families to adopt children from foster care. There are two potential ways to adopt through foster care: the first is when a child in your care is not able to reunify with their family; the second is to adopt a waiting child.

Reasons to adopt from foster care:

  • Helps children heal from trauma and develop into confident, well-adjusted individuals: a future that every child deserves.
  • Offers the opportunity to provide belonging and security.
  • Challenges our own limitations and biases, encouraging us to evolve and become more open-minded and build resilience.
  • Adopting from foster care reduces the burden on the foster care system, freeing up resources to assist other vulnerable children.
  • Promotes inclusion in your family by expanding your worldview and deepening your empathy and compassion.

Adopting through foster care brings numerous rewards and family growth. It’s an opportunity to transform lives, give back to the community, foster hope and healing, and offer support to children in need while enriching your own life. It’s a chance to make a profound difference.

Start at the Beginning…

Whether you’re interested in fostering or adopting thru foster care, the qualifications are the same:

  • Adoptive parents may be legally married couples or single individuals (aged 21 or older). Couples who are not legally married are unable to be licensed. Same-sex couples are included in this requirement.
  • Adoptive parents must be US citizens or legal residents.
  • Adoptive parents and all persons aged 18 and older in the home must pass background checks.
  • Adoptive parents need to be financially stable and able to support their family without assistance from the state.
  • Adoptive parents need to be healthy enough to care for children, as determined by their own medical provider.
  • Adoptive parents will not be licensed to do both foster care and day care at the same time.

Note: Utah Foster Care and the Division of Child and Family Services do not discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

While adoptive parents may be homeowners or renters, there are physical aspects of your home that are important. To put it succinctly, your home needs to be clean, in good repair, and free from health and fire hazards. It also needs to have enough room for any children you intend to foster.

If you have any questions about whether you or your home qualify, contact us or fill out the form below.

I want to learn more…

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