Frequently Asked Questions Are there children available now? What kinds of children are available for placement? Who can adopt? What geographic areas does AASK serve? How long does the adoption process take? How much does it cost to adopt? Can I adopt a child who is not in the foster care system? Is there financial assistance available for adoptive and foster families? How does AASK help me bring a child home? Will I need a lawyer? When can I begin? Is AASK a government agency? Where does AASK's funding come from? I'm interested in making a contribution to AASK. Where will my money go? Are there children available now? Yes! There are thousands of waiting children in foster care in California. back to top What kinds of children are available for placement? California’s foster youth population is very diverse. In 2006, 42% were Latino, 28% were African American, 26% were Caucasian and 4% were of another ethnic background. There are an equal number of males and females in foster care. The children range in age from infancy to 18 years, though the majority of children available for adoption are between the ages of 3 and 12. There are individual children, as well as many sets of 2, 3, 4 or more siblings who must remain together. back to top Who can adopt? At Adopt A Special Kid, we believe in "Equal Opportunity Adoption". We know that wonderful families come in all shapes and sizes, including: LGBT parents and couples Of every ethnic background; Latino families especially encouraged to apply Single, married or partnered Homeowner or renter Parent or grandparent Families with limited income People living with disabilities Many of our adoptive parents have later told us, "When we first came to AASK, we were afraid that ______ would disqualify us." Every prospective parent's situation is unique. Come to one of AASK's informational workshops; you may find there's nothing to be scared of. back to top What geographic areas does AASK serve? Adopt A Special Kid is licensed to provide foster care and adoption services to homes in twenty-one counties across Northern California: Alameda Butte Colusa Contra Costa Lake Marin Mendocino Monterey Napa Sacramento San Francisco San Mateo San Joaquin Santa Clara Santa Cruz Solano Sonoma Sutter Stanislaus Yolo Yuba The children we place come from all over the entire state of California. back to top How long does the adoption process take? After your interview with an AASK Social Worker, you can begin the application and training process, which typically takes several months depending on how quickly materials are completed. Once your homestudy is completed, we begin the matching process, which ranges from a month to a year depending on your family’s interests. From the time a child is placed in your home, it usually takes six months to a year before the adoption is finalized. back to top How much does it cost to adopt? All social work services and training required to adopt children from foster care are provided at zero cost to our families. For families planning to adopt from outside the child welfare system, AASK is able to complete homestudies and other services at affordable rates. back to top Can I adopt a child who is not in the foster care system? If you are planning to adopt an infant from a birth mother or from a private agency outside of California, by law you will need to complete a homestudy. AASK’s Hope-To-Home program provides homestudies for families planning to adopt children not in the child welfare system. back to top Is there financial assistance available for adoptive and foster families? There is a monthly stipend provided for children in foster care, as well as Medi-Cal for medical expenses. Other services vary from county to county. When a child is adoptively placed, you will receive a monthly subsidy called AAP (Adoption Assistance Program) and Medi-Cal until the child is eighteen. back to top How does AASK help me bring a child home? Adopt A Special Kid is highly regarded in the adoption community. Many families return to AASK to adopt again and recommend us to their friends. Here's why: We are a small, personal agency whose staff is accessible during the entire adoption process. Most families have the same social worker from start to finish. Your AASK social worker advocates for your needs, including community resources, public benefits, and on-going financial support for your child. AASK embraces families from every background: single, married and partnered; parents of diverse ethnicities; LGBT parents; homeowners or renters; younger and older parents; and parents of any level of income or ability. AASK’s interactive trainings are designed to be helpful, enjoyable, and to answer any questions that arise throughout the process. Through our “Buddy Family” System, you will be connected to an experienced AASK parent to support you in the process and share their adoption experience As part of the extended AASK family, you will have many opportunities to build relationships with other families: picnics, family activities, free tickets to cultural events, our summer camp retreat, and much more! back to top Will I need a lawyer? No. AASK prepares all necessary documentation to finalize your adoption. back to top When can I begin? Now! It's easy to get started. Call (510) 553-1748 to reserve a space at our next workshop. back to top Is AASK a government agency? No. Adopt A Special Kid is a Foster Family Agency, which is a privately-run nonprofit charitable organization. We are licensed to provide foster care and adoption services in twenty-one Northern California counties (FFA #015201918; AA #015201920). Our social work team coordinates with county social workers to match waiting children with our parents, but our workers carry much smaller caseloads, allowing us to give our families greater attention and care. back to top Where does AASK’s funding come from? As a state-licensed foster care and adoption agency, Adopt A Special Kid receives some government funding for both foster care and adoption services. However, these reimbursements are meager compared to the actual cost of our programs. In 2007, the cost of a single adoption was over $22,000. In order to continue offering services to all our families at no cost, AASK relies on support from foundations, local business and individual donors in our community. back to top I’m interested in making a contribution to AASK. Where will my money go? As a nonprofit charity, AASK is proud to report that 91.5% of our gross revenue goes directly to our programs. Tax-deductible contributions may support our recruitment efforts, to raise awareness and interest in foster care and adoption in diverse communities; our social work services, guiding our families through each step of the adoption and foster care process; our supportive services, including Camp ALWAYS; or the Dorothy and Robert DeBolt Scholarship Fund. You may specify any program to receive your donation, or make an unrestricted gift. back to top