There are several different ways to grow your family through adoption. While American Adoptions only works with families in domestic infant adoptions, we want you to fulfill your dream of becoming a parent in whichever way is best for you. No two adoptions are ever the same, because no two families are identical. Your unique situation will have unique needs, and you may find that a different type of adoption is better for you.

Because of this, you could be considering foster care adoption in Wyoming.

Foster care adoption is actually the most common type of adoption in the U.S. Each year, tens of thousands of families complete foster care adoptions, and it can be a beautiful way to adopt. There are plenty of advantages of choosing to foster to adopt in Wyoming, and also some challenges worth considering. This guide to Wyoming foster care adoption will walk you through those advantages, challenges and more. You can also contact us online at any time to learn more about foster care adoption in Wyoming.

What is Foster Care?

Foster care is a national system run by local departments. Nationally, there are more than 400,000 children in foster care. Most of the children are living in a temporary home with foster parents, although some are in group care facilities. Most of these children are not in need of adoption, because their ultimate goal is “reunification,” which means being reunited with their biological parents. Family preservation through reunification, rather than adoption, is the primary aim of the foster care system.

However, there are thousands of children living in the foster care system who do need adoption, because reunification has become impossible. For these children, parents adopting through foster care can offer love, safety and family.

How Does Wyoming Foster Care Adoption Work?

In Wyoming, around 1,000 children are in the foster care system at any given time. Of these children, around 100 are waiting for a family through Wyoming foster care adoption. Since 2011, the number of children in foster care in Wyoming has grown roughly by 25 percent.

Even though the majority of children in Wyoming’s foster care system are reunited with their biological parents, Wyoming foster care adoption could be a great option for you. But how does it work?

Step 1: Decide if this is the best type of adoption for you.

Have you considered all of your options? It’s important to be 100 percent committed to any adoption process from the beginning. Make sure foster to adopt in Wyoming is the best choice for your family before initiating the process.

Step 2: Become foster parents in Wyoming.

Get in touch with the Department of Family Services and ask about becoming Wyoming foster parents. There are several requirements to become foster parents, like:

• Being at least 21 years old

• Having good physical and emotional health

• Being financially stable

• Having a clean criminal record

There will be additional steps and training before you become an active foster parent.

Step 3: Wait to be placed with a child.

When you become a foster parent, you can let the Department of Family Services know that your desire is foster to adopt in Wyoming. However, you will need to be open to placement with a child whose goal is reunification, not adoption. There may be a child who fits perfectly with your family that needs adoption, but this is not always the case. This can be one of the disadvantages of Wyoming foster care adoption, but it is also a great opportunity to provide much-needed care to a child.

Step 4: Work with the Department of Family Services and an adoption attorney to complete the adoption.

If a judge declares the parental rights of the biological parents to be terminated, you may be able to begin working with the court, the Department of Family Services and an adoption attorney to complete a Wyoming foster care adoption. How this happens will depend on your specific situation, because no two Wyoming foster care adoptions are exactly alike.

What are the benefits of Wyoming Foster Care Adoption?

One of the first advantages you will find about Wyoming foster care adoption is the cost — or the lack thereof. Foster to adopt in Wyoming is very inexpensive. In fact, you will likely receive financial assistance from the state during your time as foster parents. For many hopeful parents, this makes foster to adopt in Wyoming the best option.

What are the disadvantages of Foster to Adopt in Wyoming?

Wyoming foster care adoption can be unpredictable, which is true of foster care adoption anywhere. The nature of the foster care system creates unexpected twists and turns in the process, like a child being removed from a family’s care with little notice. This doesn’t mean that foster to adopt in Wyoming is wrong for your family, but it is worth considering. Are you ready to be very flexible during this process?

Learn More About Foster to Adopt in Wyoming

If you think Wyoming foster care adoption is right for you, contact the Department of Family Services to get the process started. If you’re considering an infant adoption and would like to learn more, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time to speak with an adoption specialist.

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