Foster-to-Adopt FAQs

Foster care is the temporary placement of a youth in a licensed home or care facility when they cannot safely remain in their birth home.

Kids of all ages enter foster care in state custody when Child Protective Services (CPS) determines their current living conditions to be unsafe through no fault of their own. Often foster kids are experiencing neglect, abuse, or abandonment prior to coming into care. 

Foster children remain in care until they can safely return to their biological homes or caregivers once the court's conditions have been met. When that doesn't happen, the courts terminate parental rights (TPR) and foster kids may become eligible for adoption. Around 70% of foster kids are adopted by their foster families.

No. Parents of children who are eligible for adoption through the foster care system have had all parental rights legally terminated through the courts (TPR or Termination of Parental Rights). Biological parents who have been “TPR’d” have no legal custody, rights, or responsibilities for the child.

When you adopt a child through foster care, you are granted all parental rights and responsibilities for the future care of your child.

Responsibilites of a parent adopting a foster child are initially the same as those who plan to provide temporary care until foster children can safely return to their birth families. At the top of the list is to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment where your child can grow knowing the warmth of a supportive family. Other needs of foster children that you'll need to meet include: 

• Keeping a flexible schedule...parenting happens!
• Transporting your youth to appointments, including for healthcare, education, and enrichment
• Advocating for your child's best interests
• Complete foster parent training to be trauma-informed and trauma-aware
• Provide foster system documentation during the six-month foster-to-adopt period, including tracking all events, appointments, and concerns
• Managing paperwork to keep compliance and records up-to-date through the completion of your adoption

You can opt to adopt a foster child through an adoption process aptly called "foster-to-adopt." Virginia requires foster-to-adopt parents to undergo the same approval and licensing process as foster parents. Once you have found your child in the foster care system, you'll foster for at least six months before the adoption process becomes finalized.

You’ll start by attending a free, no-obligation orientation to learn more about the foster-to-adopt process. From there, you can continue the process with a foster-to-adopt specialist, who will walk you through every step and work with you to complete the Home Study requirements.

The Commonwealth of Virginia approves and licenses eligible foster and adoptive parents after they have completed the paperwork, the Home Study, background checks, and parent training hours. Then, ESP will help match your preferences with a child ready for their forever family, and you will begin your exciting journey together. 

A common misconception about fostering or adopting a child is that you must make a certain amount of money to be eligible. There is no set income or salary requirement; however, you must have stable access to sufficient income to care for your family.

Your foster-to-adopt specialist will go through financial stability requirements as part of the process. They will answer questions you may have about your salary or income circumstances.

Yes, there are more children awaiting homes than we have foster or adoptive families to care for them. We always need foster homes and adoptive families in the United States and Virginia.

Of the approximately 1,700 Virginia foster kids awaiting forever, families are children of every age. No matter your preferences, there are foster youth available for foster-to-adoption. The more flexible your age preferences, the more quickly you can welcome a foster youth into your family. While every age of foster child is in the system, the highest demand is among younger kids, and the greatest need is for older kids, especially teenagers and sibling groups.

Eligible parents may be single, partnered, or married. They come from every lifestyle and all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and may also identify within the LGTBQ+ community. When you pass your criminal background check and have the desire, time, and income to raise a child, you can be approved for foster-to-adoption in Virginia.

Particular circumstances around legal history or chronic health issues are considered case-by-case during the Home Study process.

If you want to learn more about a history of misdemeanors or felonies and how they impact your ability to foster-to-adopt, search for this topic in our blogs.

Yes. When you adopt from the foster care system, your preferences for attributes and circumstances will guide the process. Conversations about your preferences for age, race, lifestyle, and your child's unique situation will begin early in the process. Your foster-to-adoption specialist at ESP will help find an eligible foster child most likely to thrive in your loving family.

Foster babies, children, and teens are eligible for adoption and in need of permanent, loving families. The greatest need is always among older kids and especially teenagers.

In Virginia, foster children must live in the home for six months before being legally adopted, so it is a wonderful time to ensure your new family unit is a good fit.

You’ll start by attending a free, no-obligation orientation to learn more about the foster-to-adopt process. From there, you can continue the process with a foster-to-adopt specialist, who will walk you through every step of the process and work with you to complete the Home Study requirements.

The State of Virginia approves and licenses eligible foster and adoptive parents after they have completed the paperwork, the Home Study, background checks, and parent training hours. Then, ESP will match your preferences with a child ready for their forever family, and you will begin your exciting journey together. Foster youth must live in your home for at least six months before the adoption process is finalized.

Like fostering a child of any age, you will get to define your preferences and approve the foster-to-adopt situation before bringing a foster teen into your home. The State of Virginia also requires a minimum of six months of fostering before proceeding with the adoption process.

Fostering a teenager is parenting a young adult developing life skills at a different stage from those of younger children. At the same time, human needs are common across all ages. We need love, support, and a sense of belonging. To grow into the best version of ourselves, we need to be loved and have someone to love.  

Teens in foster care come from many different backgrounds. Often, they haven't had a healthy adult role model or home situation where emotions are appropriately expressed and children are priorities. Foster teens may feel the same range of loss, fear, and anger as any other child who has experienced trauma in their young lives. Plus, they often feel angst at the prospect of aging out of foster care without a family or social support structure. 

Developmentally, teenagers ride a roller coaster of emotions as they navigate puberty and transition into adulthood. They need to feel safe at home and feel the joy and security of having an adult who calmly and respectfully provides reliable structure and supports them as they are. These young adults in the making need good role models and adult coaches to guide them, teach them, and be there for them throughout life's challenges and celebrations.

There is NO fee for parents and families to adopt a child through the foster care system, regardless of the child’s age or Virginia municipality.

Parents who adopt internationally or through a domestic private adoption agency typically pay thousands of dollars in fees. However, there are nearly 5,000 foster kids in Virginia, and close to 1,700 of them are awaiting adoption with no fees for their future families. Over 70% of foster parents in Virginia will become permanent members of their foster-to-adopt families.

Adopting a foster child is a life-changing decision. This is true for you, your foster child, your biological kids, and family members. That said, biological kids are often excited about having a sibling to play with, even if they also feel some natural worries.

As you prepare to involve your children and family in the decision and your journey, consider the fears your birth children may feel. What will life be like with an adopted sibling? What will it feel like to have someone I don't know move into my home? Will my mom and dad love their new child more than they love me?

Professionals recommend that current family members be fully onboard in the decision and the foster-to-adopt process. A foster parent advocate will interview all family members during the Home Study portion of the process. This will allow you to work through your and your child's questions and concerns.

A few other things you can do that may help your child:

• Spend individual quality time with each child before and after your foster child is living with you.
• Take family outings or getaways that create shared memories and time to bond as a family unit.
• Do regular check-ins to see how each child and family member is feeling so you can respond in real time.

A blended family of biological and adopted children can create a powerful dynamic and create lifelong bonds that enhance the lives of every member. Together, you are changing lives and helping to create a lifetime of belonging and opportunity.

Scheduling conflicts are inevitable for adults and parents managing life's responsibilities. It is never a problem to reschedule foster-to-adopt parent training with Extra Special Parents (ESP) and AdoptionVA. We offer virtual training via Zoom. Simply contact your dedicated Advocate for help getting signed up for the date and time that work for you.

AdoptionVA and Extra Special Parents (ESP) receive referrals from every locality in the state of Virginia. All of these foster youth need temporary foster care or adoptive families.

If you are partnering with ESP for foster-to-adoption, we will work with the local DSS to confirm the details about how your foster child's school and service providers can be transferred to the locality where you live.

The average time to be approved to welcome a foster child into your home is three to four months. This includes completing paperwork and documentation, training, and the Home Study.

Virginia also requires adoptive parents to foster their child for a minimum of six months before the adoption process is finalized. This allows the family to settle in and grow accustomed to each other and their individual needs during the pre-adoption foster period.

Your foster-to-adopt specialist can answer questions about your needs in the context of your specific family situation.

Yes, many parts of the foster-to-adopt process involve the whole family, especially your partner or spouse. We strongly recommend that they, along with other family members, be fully onboard and engaged in it.

This life-changing decision will impact your entire family, so it's essential that each family member understands how they may be affected. Nothing is more important to a foster child than stability, so the support structure in your family and home is vitally important for them and for you.