What is Adoption?
When you adopt a child, you are legally and emotionally accepting them into your family, permanently. You are committing to be responsible for their health, well-being, growth, and development.
Children/youth who are free for adoption come from different backgrounds, ethnic groups, cultures, religions, and some may have physical or behavioral challenges.
Most of the children/youth freed for adoption are between the ages of 13 and 16, or members of a sibling group who should stay together.
What can you expect?
Non-relative families choosing to adopt through CYFD are required to become licensed as a Resource / Foster Family for the benefit of both you and the child.
NOTE:
While CYFD’s goal is to reunite a child with their biological parents, children/youth become free for adoption for a number of reasons. For those with physical or behavioral challenges, CYFD provides support to help them—and you—navigate these challenges.
How are children matched with families?
There are a number of essential steps taken before a child and family are considered a match. These steps are in place to ensure the greatest success along your adoption journey.
Step One
Submit an inquiry to become a fully licensed Resource/Foster Family (SAFE home study, preservice training, etc.)
Step Two
Once licensed, these options become available:
- You will be contacted to explore foster placement of a child/sibling group
- You can accept placement of a child who is legally freed for adoption initially as a foster placement
- If a child/sibling group cannot be reunified with their biological family, you will have the chance to adopt
- You can foster a child who is legally freed for adoption without a placement
- The family can be invited to attend virtual or in-person adoption events to learn about children/youth legally freed for adoption
Step Three
If CYFD determines the family is a match for a child/youth/sibling group, a meeting is arranged to provide preliminary information about the child.
Step Four
If CYFD and the family agree to continue the adoption process, a Full Disclosure meeting is arranged to provide all information about the child. The family then has up to two weeks to decide whether to proceed with adoption.
*Please note: CYFD’s main goal is to reunite children in foster care with their biological families.
We will continue to seek reunification while the child is in foster care.