"Growing Healthy Futures Since 1909"

       In January 2005, The Children’s Home officially became a licensed Adoption Agency.  This allows our agency to recruit, train and supervise adoptive families.  Our focus is a foster-to-adopt program, to help school aged children find a permanent home through adoption.  Prospective adoptive parents will take our foster parent training classes to prepare them for the issues and behaviors of children who are not living with biological parents.

General Information
     

To adopt you must be mentally competent to raise a child.  Families need to be willing to accept an older child or sibling group.  Our agency does not often have infants available for adoptions.  We specialize in adolescent adoptions.  So we have many more school aged children in need of a permanent home.

Is there an age limit on adoption?  Am I too old?
     You should be over the age of 21 to adopt a child.  You probably are not too old to adopt, but you may want to consider an older child rather than an infant.

Do I have to be financially stable to adopt?
     Yes, you should be able to support yourself and your child on your income and be able to provide the everyday necessities.

 Do I have to be married to adopt?
     No, you do not have to be married.  You can be married, single, widowed, or divorced, but not separated.

 Am I financially reimbursed?
    The Children’s Home receives monies from the state, which is allocated to the foster family.  Monies include general funds as well as clothing allowances and the like.  Adoptive families may receive adoption assistance funds.

 Do I have to live in Forsyth County to adopt?
     No, however we require that you live within a 50 mile radius of The Children’s Home’s campus.  This ensures that we can provide ongoing supervision and case management for your home.

 How long does it take to get a child place in my home?
   It depends on the age and other criteria as to how quickly we can match a child with your home.  Most of the children are school age and are currently living in foster homes all over the county and state.  Many have brothers and sisters who need to be placed in an adoptive home together.  Most all have “special needs,” such as behavior problems resulting from abuse or neglect, or have the need for a family where siblings can be together.

 Does the child have medical insurance?
     Yes, each child has coverage through the state’s insurance plan for foster care children.  Many children adopted from foster care are eligible for medical insurance through the state’s Medicaid program.   

 Is home ownership a requirement?
    No, you can rent or own an apartment, single-family house or condominium.  Each state has different licensing requirements about the space you have available for a foster or adopted child.

 Can I foster or adopt if I already have a child or children?
    Yes you can.  Families who have experience parenting are a great resource for waiting children.  Some families adopt children while their biological children are still in the home.  Many families who have grown children may become foster or adoptive parents, most often for an older child or sibling group.

 What are the steps to the adoption process?

1. Meet with the adoptions recruiter for an initial interview which includes a completed application and criminal records secured (dating back 10 years) and 3 personal references.
2. You need to be licensed by the state as a foster parent initially.  This includes 30 hours of pre-service training, a completed family profile and a favorable recommendation from our agency to the Department of Social Services.
3. Five home visits conducted by the supervisor assigned to you for the benefit of completing a mutual home assessment and pre-placement assessment.

After all steps are done a license for Foster Care is issued for 2 years for your home.  This process usually takes 2-3 months.

What are the requirements to become an adoptive parent?

• You may be single or married

• You must be at least 21 years or older

• You must live within a 50 mile radius of The Children's Home - Winston-Salem Campus

• Your current income must be sufficient to meet the needs of your own immediate family

• You must have a working telephone in your home and access to reliable transportation

• You must have a medical examination

• Criminal background check is required

What about training?

All prospective adoptive parents must complete a 30-hour training course, fill out state license forms and have two in-home visits from the Foster Home Supervisor to become licensed.