Everything You Need to Know About Foster Care Adoption in Ohio
Adopting a child takes a special person. Not only are you growing your family, but you’re giving a child a loving and nurturing home.
One type of adoption in Ohio is through the foster care system where many children are in need of a home. Another is domestic infant adoption, in which a prospective birth mother chooses to place her newborn for adoption. Let’s compare Ohio foster care adoption with private domestic infant adoption.
If you’re ready to start the adoption process with our agency, or wanting more information on the adoption in Ohio, call us toll-free today at 1-800-ADOPTION, or visit our online contact forms for prospective birth mothers and prospective adoptive parents.
Foster Care Adoption in Ohio vs. Domestic Infant Adoption
At any given time, more than 16,000 children in Ohio are being cared for through the foster care system. While most of these children will be eventually reunited with their biological family members, more than 2,000 are waiting to be adopted through Ohio foster care adoption at any time.
You might also be considering a private domestic infant adoption in Ohio. Knowing which type of adoption is right for your family first requires an understanding of the differences between the two. Both are incredible and life-changing ways to not only give a child a great home, but also to grow your family as you’ve always dreamed of doing.
While American Adoptions specializes in the domestic adoption of newborns and is unable to provide most foster care adoption services in Ohio, we believe foster care adoption is a wonderful family-building option. So, we’ve gathered some helpful information for all parents interested in adopting a child from foster care in Ohio, as well as additional information about domestic infant adoption, for those who are still unsure which path will be best for their family
The 3 Different Ways to Become a Parent through Foster Care in Ohio
If you’re interested in foster-to-adopt in Ohio, you probably aren’t solely interested in adopting a baby. Instead, you are willing to bring into your family a child who is older, has siblings with whom they must be adopted, or has additional special needs that make them harder to place or care for. Clearly, these children, like all children, need loving and supportive homes.
You can become a foster parent in Ohio in three different ways:
1. Foster Parenting
Becoming an Ohio foster parent means that you’ll be providing children with a temporary home that’s safe, supportive and loving. Children often remain with temporary foster parents until they’re reunited with biological family or they’re placed in a more permanent situation.
2. Foster to Adopt in Ohio
When a foster child becomes eligible for adoption, many foster parents become interested in adopting that child — and have an advantage because of their current placement. However, certain conditions must be met before adopting a child you’re fostering in Ohio is made possible. In most cases, it takes several months or even years before this legal process can begin.
While most Ohio foster care children do not become eligible for adoption, priority when choosing permanent placement is given to foster parents if there are no biological family members available to care for him or her.
3. Adopting from Foster Care in Ohio
Becoming a foster parent is not necessary if you want to adopt through foster care in Ohio. Instead, you can request to be matched only with children in foster care who are already eligible for adoption in Ohio, and who are waiting for a family. These children in foster care waiting for adoption will typically be placed with your family for a trial period, after which the legal process of adoption from foster care can move forward.
If you’re unsure which path is right for you, that’s okay. Speak with an Ohio foster adoption agency near you for guidance before getting started.
Understanding Ohio Foster Care Adoption Subsidies
People often ask, “How much does it cost to adopt from foster in Ohio?”
The good news is that the foster care adoption cost in Ohio is very low — and could potentially be completely free, thanks to assistance from the state.
Parents who adopt from foster care in Ohio and foster parents caring for children in their home are often eligible for foster care adoption assistance in the form of a state-funded subsidy. The amount usually varies depending on the needs of the child(ren) you adopt, so your social worker will keep you informed throughout your adoption journey.
Who Can Foster to Adopt in Ohio or Adopt through Foster Care?
Similarly to domestic adoption, adopting from foster care in Ohio or becoming a foster parent means that you’ll need to complete an Ohio foster care adoption home study, undergo background checks, submit references, attend foster parent training courses and more. These steps ensure that you are mentally and physically ready for the challenges and rewards of the process of adopting a foster child in Ohio.
To become a foster parent in Ohio, you must be at least 21 years old. To adopt from foster care in Ohio, you must be at least 18.
Other requirements for foster parents in Ohio may vary depending on the foster care agency or adoption professional you choose to work with, so contact your chosen professional to learn how to become a foster parent with them and what they require.
Who Can Be Adopted from Foster Care in Ohio?
The best way to find children in foster care available for adoption is by looking through an Ohio photo listing. These children are typically eligible for placement with an adoptive family, and you can contact a professional right away should one of these children tug at your heartstrings.
In general, here’s why some foster kids are legally free for adoption and others aren’t:
Children who are in temporary foster care are not eligible for adoption. This is the case for the majority of the children who are in the system. Their goal is reunification with biological family.
A child must have their biological parents’ parental rights legally terminated before they can become available for an Ohio foster care adoption. This can be done voluntarily by the parent(s) or involuntarily by a judge if the parent has failed to meet the necessary requirements to regain custody, and the court believes this action to be in the best interest of the child.
If you’re adopting from foster care in Ohio, you will need to finalize your adoption in your local county probate court before a foster child is officially a part of your family.
Ohio Foster Care Adoption Agencies and Additional Resources
Below, you can find resources for foster care and adoption in Ohio, including Ohio foster care adoption agencies and Ohio adoption photo listing sites:
Please contact your Ohio foster care adoption agency for additional resources and services to help you in your journey to adopt a foster child.
Foster Care Adoption and Private Domestic Adoption [Making the Right Choice for Your Family]
Now that you have important information on what Ohio foster care adoption is and how it works, the conversation of which type of adoption is right for your family can take place with a more complete understanding of the two processes.
Foster care is much more unique, in that there is usually no lasting connection to the birth parent, which means there is often very little background related to the child. Adopting an older child, a sibling pair or a child with special needs may be of interest for you, while many prospective adoptive couples wish to grow their family by adopting an infant.
Private domestic adoption in Ohio through our agency begins with developing an adoption plan for everyone involved. This plan involves the birth parents, too, so that everyone shares the adoption experience and journey together with the goal of giving a child a loving and nurturing home. Additionally, since most domestic adoptions are at least semi-open, the birth parents, adoptive parents and child can build a life-long bond which carries on and grows beyond the adoption process itself. Adoptive families also get the peace of mind in knowing our risk-sharing program protects adoption finances throughout the process.
Ready to Start Your Private Domestic Adoption? [We’re here to Help]
Michelle, a birth parent specialist and one of our many adoption professionals with her own adoption story, is ready to answer any questions you have about adoption.
You can ask Michelle questions about the Ohio adoption process online. You can also call us toll free at 1-800-ADOPTION, or get free information with our online contact form for prospective birth mothers considering adoption here. Adoptive families wanting more information on adopting a child can click here to get more information.
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.