The Foster Care and Adoptive Process
Whether you are interested in becoming a foster parent or an adoptive parent, the first steps are the same.
Informational Workshop
The beginning of your journey with Adopt A Special Kid is to attend one of our informational workshops held each month. We will give an overview of the child welfare system and the foster care and adoptive processes, and answer any initial questions you may have. This is a comfortable atmosphere with other families who are looking into adoption or foster care for the first time.
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Personal Interview
This is a chance to meet individually with one of our social workers to tell us more about your family, your background and your hopes and expectations for working with AASK. In the interview, we can address any concerns you may have and determine whether your family building needs can be met with our agency.
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Foster and Adoptive Family Training (FAFT)
New families will participate in a two-day weekend training to learn more about the foster care system; issues related to the birth family and mental health; grief, trauma and attachment; cross-cultural parenting and positive parenting strategies. You will also hear a panel of AASK parents tell their own stories and answer your questions.
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Foster Family Assessment
You will complete an application, which includes fingerprint, criminal record and child abuse clearances. An AASK social worker will conduct 1-2 interviews and write a brief assessment. At that time, your home will be certified as a foster family home. Parents interested in foster care specifically are able to move forward to foster matching and placement; adoptive parents proceed to homestudy.
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Foster Matching and Placement
While each county has different methods of matching children with foster homes, a new foster family typically will match very quickly with a county child. The child’s placement may be short-term or long-term, depending on whether the county is looking for another home or working on reunifying the child with his or her birth parents. Throughout the placement, the county provides financial assistance and Medi-Cal insurance for the child’s daily needs. An AASK social worker visits the family twice monthly and is on call for emergencies on a 24-hour basis.
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Adoptive Homestudy
After completing all required application materials, families are assigned to a social worker. Your worker will interview your family at home in a series of personal interviews to create your homestudy. The homestudy is a document required by the state for all adoptions which describes your family and home environment in depth, highlighting your strengths and desires. The homestudy is the primary tool used by AASK and county social workers to find a strong match between you and a waiting child or children.
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Adoptive Matching
Once your homestudy is finished, you can begin the matching process. This includes reviewing children’s profiles and meeting children in person at matching picnics. This stage may take anywhere from a few months to over a year, to make sure every match is a strong one. When you are interested in a particular child or group of children, we communicate with the county social worker to address any issues and determine the best course for you and the child. Once a possible match is determined, families proceed to initial visits with the child prior to placement.
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Fost-Adopt Placement
Since most waiting children are not yet ‘legally freed’ for adoption, a child you are matched with will move into your home as a foster placement. The ‘Fost-Adopt’ process allows you to begin building the bonds of family while the legal process unfolds. You will receive the same benefits as any other foster placement; an AASK social worker will visit twice a month. After at least six months of fost-adopt placement, your family can move to adoptive placement.
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Finalization
Your AASK social worker will walk you step-by-step through the finalization process and provide you with all the necessary legal paperwork. You will not need an attorney. The court date of finalization is a day of celebration for both AASK and your family.
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