Adoption Through Foster Care: Steps for Shasta County Families

Adoption through foster care is a deeply rewarding way for families in Shasta County, CA, to grow and provide a loving, permanent home for children in need. This process allows foster parents to offer stability and security to children who may have faced challenging circumstances. If you’re considering this journey, it’s important to understand the key steps, requirements, and support available to you along the way.

Why Choose Adoption Through Foster Care?

Adopting through foster care is one of the most impactful ways to support children in need. It’s also more accessible and affordable than private adoption. Foster parents often play a critical role in helping children transition into their forever homes. In Shasta County, many children in foster care become eligible for adoption when reunification with their birth families is not possible.

Families that choose to adopt through foster care often receive comprehensive support from local foster family agencies. Resources such as training, financial support, and post-adoption services help ensure the family’s long-term success.

For more detailed information on foster care and adoption services in Shasta County, you can explore our Guide to Foster Care & Adoption Services in Shasta County, CA.

Do Foster Parents Get Priority for Adoption?

Yes, foster parents often receive priority consideration when a child in their care becomes eligible for adoption. This is because foster parents already have an established relationship with the child, providing emotional stability and continuity. When a child’s birth parents’ rights are legally terminated, the foster parents currently caring for the child are typically given the first opportunity to adopt. This approach prioritizes the child's best interests, as remaining with familiar caregivers reduces emotional stress and provides a smoother transition.

Why Do Foster Parents Receive Priority?

The reasoning behind this priority is rooted in the child’s emotional well-being. When a child is removed from their birth home, they experience significant upheaval. Foster parents play a vital role in creating a sense of normalcy and stability during this time. By allowing the child to stay with the same caregivers, the adoption process becomes less disruptive. Additionally, caseworkers recognize that foster parents already understand the child's unique needs, behaviors, and personality. This familiarity makes it more likely that the child will thrive in a permanent home with their foster family.

What If Foster Parents Do Not Want to Adopt?

If foster parents decide not to pursue adoption, the child’s caseworker may seek other adoptive families. Priority is then given to families who can best meet the child's emotional, educational, and physical needs. Foster parents’ decisions not to adopt may stem from personal reasons, including financial limitations, family dynamics, or other life circumstances. Regardless of their decision, foster parents play a critical role in supporting the child’s transition to a permanent home.

Factors That Influence Priority Adoption

• Foster Parent Readiness: Foster parents must demonstrate that they are emotionally and financially prepared to adopt. While foster parents are prioritized, they must still meet the same requirements as other adoptive families, including background checks and home studies.

• Child’s Best Interests: Courts and child welfare agencies prioritize the best interests of the child. If a foster parent’s household is deemed unsuitable or unable to meet the child’s needs, other adoptive families will be considered.

• Child’s Wishes: In some cases, older children may have a say in their adoption placement. If they have a strong bond with their foster parents and express a desire to stay, their preference may be taken into account.

Benefits of Priority Adoption for Foster Parents

• Familiarity with the Child’s Needs: Foster parents understand the child’s routines, preferences, and behavioral patterns. This knowledge allows them to provide personalized care and support.

• Emotional Bond: Children often form strong attachments to their foster parents. Adopting through this existing relationship minimizes emotional distress and fosters a sense of belonging.

• Smoother Transition: Moving from foster care to adoption is a significant shift. By staying with familiar caregivers, children experience a seamless transition, which supports emotional and mental well-being.

• Support Services: Foster parents who adopt may continue to access post-adoption support, such as financial assistance, counseling, and access to community resources. These services help the child and family adjust to the new family dynamic.

How Can Foster Parents Prepare for Priority Adoption?

• Communicate with Caseworkers: Let the child’s caseworker know of your interest in adopting. This ensures you’re on their radar if the child’s case shifts from reunification to adoption.

• Attend Adoption Training: Foster parents may need to complete additional adoption-specific training. This training helps families prepare for the unique challenges and joys of adoption.

• Build a Support System: Adoption can bring changes to family dynamics. Foster parents should build a network of friends, family, and professional support to help during the transition.

Priority adoption allows foster parents to create permanent, loving homes for children in their care. The process is designed to prioritize the child’s best interests, promoting stability and emotional well-being. For foster parents, it’s an opportunity to turn a temporary caregiving role into a lifelong family connection. If you’re a foster parent interested in adopting, reach out to your caseworker or local foster family agency to learn more about the process and the support available to you.

How to Begin the Adoption Process in California

Contact a Local Foster Family Agency

The first step in the adoption process is to reach out to a local foster family agency, such as Youth & Family Programs in Shasta County, or another approved agency in your area. These agencies are responsible for guiding families through the foster-to-adopt process.

You will typically begin by attending an orientation session, which provides an overview of the adoption process, including what is expected of adoptive parents and the requirements you must meet. This session also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and determine if fostering or adopting through the county is right for you.

Complete an Application

Once you’ve attended an orientation session, you’ll need to complete a formal application. This application requires you to provide personal information, details about your family background, and information regarding your financial stability. You will also be asked to explain your reasons for wanting to adopt.

This application helps the agency better understand your family dynamics, your motivation for adoption, and your readiness to provide a permanent, loving home for a child. Your application will be reviewed, and upon approval, you’ll move forward with the next steps in the process.

Attend Pre-Service Training

Before you can proceed with adoption, you must complete pre-service training. These training sessions are designed to prepare you for the challenges and responsibilities that come with adopting a child, especially one who may have experienced trauma or disrupted attachments.

The training typically covers topics such as child development, trauma-informed care, and the various stages of the foster-to-adopt process. The goal is to provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to support a child’s emotional and psychological well-being, and to ensure that you understand the specific needs of children in the foster system.

Home Study and Background Check

After completing your training, the next step is a home study and background check. A licensed social worker will visit your home to assess whether it is safe and suitable for a child. This includes checking that your home meets basic safety standards and that it provides a stable, nurturing environment.

During the home study, the social worker will also talk with you and your family members to assess your ability to care for a child and to gauge your preparedness for adoption. In addition to the home study, you’ll undergo a comprehensive background check, which includes fingerprinting. This is to ensure that there are no criminal issues that would pose a risk to the children placed in your care. The background check is a vital part of the adoption process, helping to protect the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.

Placement and Supervision

Once you’ve completed the application, training, home study, and background check, you will be eligible for placement. This means you can begin to accept a child into your home.

At first, you may be fostering a child with the potential to adopt. If a child’s parental rights are terminated, and the child becomes legally free for adoption, you can then begin the transition process from fostering to adoption. Throughout this stage, your caseworker will be closely involved, providing support and guidance to help you navigate the placement and adjustment process.

Fostering to adoption can be an emotional journey, as the child may experience attachment challenges and other issues related to their past experiences. It’s important to stay patient, flexible, and committed to helping the child through these challenges, all while building a bond and preparing for the finalization of the adoption.

Adoption Finalization

Once a child has been placed with you and parental rights have been terminated, the final step is the legal adoption process. This involves working with an attorney and your caseworker to finalize the adoption in court.

The finalization process can take several months and requires both legal and administrative steps to ensure everything is in order before the adoption is completed. You will attend a final court hearing, where a judge will review the case and legally finalize your adoption, making the child a permanent member of your family.

Adoption finalization is a momentous occasion, as it legally solidifies the bond between you and your child. It’s a joyous occasion, marking the beginning of your new life together as a family.

Helpful Tips for Families

How Much Do Foster Parents Get Paid Per Child in California?

While foster parents are not "paid" in the traditional sense, they do receive financial assistance in the form of a monthly stipend to help cover the costs associated with caring for foster children. This stipend is designed to support foster parents in providing a safe and nurturing environment for children, meeting their basic needs, and ensuring they have access to essential services. In California, the amount foster parents receive varies depending on several factors, but the overall goal is to ease the financial burden that comes with fostering.

How Much is the Stipend?

As of 2024, foster parents in California typically receive a stipend ranging from $1,000 to $2,600 per child, per month. The exact amount depends on a variety of factors, including the child’s age, specific needs, and any additional care required.

For example, infants and toddlers often receive a stipend closer to the lower end of the range, while older children or those with more specialized needs may be eligible for a higher stipend. In particular, children with significant medical needs, emotional or behavioral challenges, or other special requirements could result in a higher stipend to ensure that foster parents can meet the child’s unique needs.

The stipend helps foster parents cover the direct expenses of providing for the child’s daily needs, making it more feasible for families to take on the responsibility of fostering. The financial support is designed to be adequate, but not to serve as a salary. Its purpose is to offset the costs of fostering, rather than to provide a significant source of income for the foster parents themselves.

What Does the Stipend Cover?

The foster care stipend is intended to cover a wide variety of essential expenses that arise from caring for a child. While the specific costs can vary depending on the child’s needs and the circumstances of the placement, the stipend generally covers the following areas:

1. Food, Clothing, and Personal Care Items
   Foster parents use the stipend to provide for the basic needs of the child, including food, clothing, and personal care items. This includes regular groceries, meals, and toiletries, as well as clothing that fits the child’s size and preferences. The stipend also helps ensure that children have necessary hygiene products, such as soap, shampoo, and other personal care items.

2. School Supplies and Educational Needs
   Foster children are entitled to attend school, and the stipend helps cover the costs associated with their education. This includes school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and other materials necessary for learning. It may also cover fees for extracurricular activities, school uniforms, and any additional educational support the child may need.

3. Transportation Costs for Appointments and Activities
   Foster parents are often responsible for transporting their foster children to appointments, including medical visits, therapy sessions, and other activities related to the child’s well-being. The stipend helps offset the costs associated with transportation, including fuel, public transportation, or the use of ride-sharing services, if needed.

4. Specialized Medical Needs and Therapeutic Services
   For children with special needs, foster parents may receive higher stipends to cover additional care expenses, such as specialized medical needs or therapeutic services. This could include the costs of seeing specialists, purchasing medical equipment, or attending therapy sessions that are necessary for the child’s development and health.

Foster children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect may also need extra emotional or psychological support. The stipend helps ensure that foster parents can access therapy or counseling services for the child when needed.

Additional Financial Resources for Foster Parents

In addition to the stipend, foster parents may have access to several other financial resources and support services to assist them throughout the fostering process. Some of the additional resources available include:

1. Respite Care
   Foster parents are often provided with respite care, which allows them to take a break from the intense responsibilities of fostering. Respite care typically involves another licensed foster caregiver temporarily caring for the child, giving the primary foster parents time to rest and recharge. Respite care can be a crucial resource for avoiding caregiver burnout.

2. Support Groups and Community Resources
   Foster parents in California can also access support groups and community resources that offer emotional support, guidance, and connection with other foster families. These resources can help foster parents navigate the challenges of fostering, share experiences, and gain valuable advice from others who are going through similar situations.

3. Financial Assistance for Child Care and Specialized Needs
   In some cases, foster parents may qualify for additional financial assistance to help cover the costs of child care or specialized services. For example, if a child requires full-time daycare or if they have specific needs that require extra attention or care, financial assistance may be available to ensure those needs are met.

The financial resources available to foster parents in California are designed to help them provide the best possible care for children in need while ensuring that the financial burden is manageable. Though the stipend may not cover all costs, it is a crucial resource that enables foster parents to meet the essential needs of their foster children.

Ready to Begin Your Adoption Journey?

Adopting through foster care in Shasta County is a profound and life-changing experience. If you’re ready to provide a child with a forever home, Youth & Family Programs is here to support you every step of the way.

Or, visit our website to get in touch with a dedicated caseworker: Contact Youth & Family Programs

Start your journey toward providing a loving, stable, and permanent home for a child in need. Your love and support can make a lasting impact on a child’s life.