State-Sponsored Adoption (Foster to Adopt) Attorney in Santa Clara County, California

Children are the gift of life. Unfortunately, not all parents appreciate this gift, which is why approximately 370,000 children in the United States end up in foster care, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.  

However, not all of those kids are hopeless. There are many good people who are willing to offer a stable and supportive home for children in foster care. But foster care is a temporary placement where a child moves from one place to another. Realizing how much stress this puts them under, some people consider transitioning from fostering to adoption.  

In fact, some parents are even eligible for state-sponsored adoption where it costs nothing (or barely anything) to adopt a child, not to mention that they may get financial assistance from the government.

Our state-sponsored adoption attorney at The Law Offices of Steven E. Springer can explain everything you want to know about the foster-to-adopt process in California and provide you with the guidance you need when adopting a child through foster care.  

Foster Care vs. Adoption vs. Foster to Adopt

First things first—you need to understand the difference between the different types of parent-and-child arrangements:  

• Foster care is when a child lives with adults that aren’t their birth parents on a temporary basis. The duration of this type of arrangement can last from just a few days to years.  

• Adoption is when a child officially becomes a permanent member of an adoptive family. This arrangement is permanent and adoptive parents can enjoy full parental rights.  

• Foster to adoption combines both foster care and adoption. It works by first placing a child in foster care and then, if the child’s reunification with biological parents isn’t possible, allowing foster parents to adopt the child.  

Foster-to-adopt is an ideal scenario for both children and parents as they have the opportunity to get to know each other before committing themselves to a permanent legal arrangement. However, foster children may eventually reunite with their biological parents, which is why this pathway to adoption comes with its challenges and risks. Our Santa Clara County state-sponsored adoption attorney at The Law Offices of Steven E. Springer can help you figure out if foster-to-adopt is the right option under your circumstances.  

Foster Care Adoption Requirements in California

Adopting a child through foster care is a rewarding experience, but it’s not as easy as many might think. Many children in foster care have lived through some trauma, which includes neglect or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. That’s why people who wish to become foster parents must first undergo training that provides them with the knowledge they need to support the child appropriately and create a stable and loving environment for them. Other requirements for becoming a foster parent include: 

• Be 18 years of age or older 

• Submit an application 

• Attend an orientation 

• Complete CPR and first aid training 

• Complete a home study that assesses the quality of life in your house 

As for adoption from foster care, the age gap between the adoptive parent and the child must be at least 10 years. The adoptive parent will also be required to pass criminal background checks and complete a home study.  

Is Foster to Adopt Right for You?

People have their own reasons for wanting to adopt children from foster care. While everyone’s story is unique, you need to make sure adoption from foster care is right for you and your family. The foster-to-adopt pathway may be ideal for parents who:  

• Are already fostering: You are already nurturing a relationship with a child from foster care and you want the child to be a permanent member of your family.  

• Are ready to adopt an older child: Children in foster care range in age from infants to 18 or even 21 years old. Generally, it’s easier to adopt a child from foster care if you are more flexible about their age.  

• Are willing to make a positive change in the child's life: Nearly every child in foster care has experienced trauma. But they did nothing wrong and deserve to live in a safe and loving home.  

• Are seeking an affordable adoption process: With state-sponsored adoption available, the entire process may be funded by the state, not to mention that adoptive parents may be eligible for financial aid and subsidies.  

If you aren’t sure that you are ready to adopt a child from foster care or you have questions regarding your eligibility for state-sponsored adoption, you might want to contact The Law Offices of Steven E. Springer to get the answers you need.