Placement in foster care is a temporary solution. When children come into placement, the social worker is working toward reuniting them with their biological family. Sometimes separation enables the parents to get themselves together enough so they can more easily assume their responsibilities. If it becomes evident this is not going to happen, casework will then be directed toward freeing the children for adoption.

     If a child who was placed with you in foster care becomes legally free for adoption, you may want to consider adopting the child yourself.

     In the past many agencies would not consider foster parents as applicants for adoption, but this is no longer true. If you are meeting a child's needs and are willing to take on all the added responsibilities of adoption, you are likely to be the first family considered. If you are able to do it, then the child gets a permanent home without suffering another separation. That can be a beautiful plan.

     Be certain that you are not allowing yourself to be pressured into feeling this is something you should do. The strongest pressure may come from the child who may be afraid of another change. Your bowing to such pressure will not prove to be best for the child in the long run. Adoption is serious, at least as serious as marriage. It is a permanent commitment. It is making someone else a permanent member of your family with all that is involved emotionally and legally. It cannot be taken lightly.

     Some foster parents have been hesitant to adopt because they do not feel they could take care of the children without the financial assistance of foster care payments. If this is the only reason, you should be aware that the agency may be able to subsidize such a placement even after a legal adoption. The child may also be entitled to continued care. If you are interested, be sure to ask your worker about this possibility. Hopefully, money will not be the only reason a child has to move.

     If adoption of any of your foster children is a realistic possibility, it will be very important for there to be very open discussion with every member of your household. This would include both your own children and any other foster children who will not be adopted. Making one or more of your foster children your own changes the way everyone in the family relates. Use your worker for help in looking at these relationships.

     If adopting a child is not a good plan for you, it will not be good for the child. If you are not prepared to adopt, you must not be pressured into doing so.

     There are many things you can do to help a child move to a permanent home. We will be discussing those things next.

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