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How Are Foster Care Agencies Different From Other Agencies?

Foster Care Agencies vs Domestic Adoption Agencies

If you are considering adoption to grow your family, there is more than one way to adopt in Idaho. Some of the most common types of adoption are:

For families who want to adopt a child in the U.S., what’s the difference between adoption through a foster care agency in Idaho and domestic infant adoption?

In this article, we discuss the differences between these types of adoption and the advantages and disadvantages of each path. We also provide details about where you can learn more if you’re interested in working with a foster care facility in Idaho to grow your family.

You can also connect with any of our experienced adoption specialists to learn more about adoption through foster care agencies in Idaho vs. domestic infant adoption by contacting us online today.

Foster Care Agencies in Idaho – What Are They?

Whenever you hear anyone refer to a foster care agency in Idaho, usually they’re talking about an adoption agency that works with the state government to coordinate its foster care system. The agencies, then, work with families who are either looking to foster children and/or foster-to-adopt.

To find a fostering agency in Idaho or to learn more about the foster care system in your state, you can contact:

Who Uses a Foster Care Agency in Idaho?

There are so many children in the foster care system who are waiting for a permanent home, and there are also many couples who choose to pursue foster care to grow their families. Those types of people are:

  • Families who prefer to help a child in the state foster care system

  • Those who have been fostering a child and want to foster-to-adopt when reunification is not possible between the child and their biological parents

  • Parents who are interested in adopting a child with special needs or an older child

  • Hopeful parents whose situation does not work with the average cost of private domestic adoption

What Do Foster Care Adoption Agencies in Idaho Do?

The services offered by a foster care agency in Idaho will depend on the actual agency itself. Most frequently, foster care facilities in Idaho offer a variety of parenting classes, such as PS-MAPP (Partnering for Safety and Permanency – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) or PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education).

Good foster care centers in Idaho will also assist you in completing a home study, which is a required step in order to be able to bring foster children into your home. Parent profiles are also part of working with a foster agency in Idaho, which help tell your caseworker about you and your interests in foster care, so foster care agencies in Idaho will offer services to help.

Comparing Foster Agencies to Domestic Adoption Agencies [Weighing the Pros and Cons]

If you’re interested in this type of adoption journey, you should know there are many pros and cons that need to be considered before you begin working with a fostering agency in Idaho. These include:

Child Age

Private Adoption: Infant

Foster Care Adoption: Less than 1 year old to 18 years old

Most children in the foster care system of Idaho are older children. Knowing what age of the child you want to adopt will help you determine if infant domestic adoption or adoption from a foster care center in Idaho.

Costs

Private Adoption: $45,000-$65,000

Foster Care Adoption: Cost of home study, legal fees and time

Adoptions through foster care adoption agencies in Idaho can cost little to nothing except for your time. This is often an important deciding factor between an adoption from a foster parent agency vs. adoption from a private agency. Ask yourself what makes the most sense for your situation.

Wait Times

Private Adoption Through Our Agency: An average of 12 months.

Foster Care Adoption: Immediately to 5 years, depending on the specific situation

Like with any adoption, there are certain aspects of your situation that can impact your wait times, even if you’re pursuing foster care adoption. This is why many families who want to adopt a newborn child will often choose private adoption, as those wait times tend to be shorter than with a foster agency in Idaho.

How to Find Information on the Best Foster Care Agencies in Idaho

Adopting a foster child can be a wonderful gift for a child in need, as well as for you and your family. If you want to learn more about foster care and foster care agencies in Idaho, these resources can help you get started:

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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