The Adoption Process

Adoption through the Special Needs Adoption Program is easier than most people think. The process of preparing a family takes about six months. The steps to adoption are as follows:

Inquiry - To express your interest in becoming a foster and/or adoptive parent, call your local protection and permanency (P and P) office for details. To find the P and P office nearest you, click here.

Orientation - Attend an information meeting to learn more about the philosophy of the Department for Community Based Services, the children available for placement and the process of our adoption and foster care program.

Preparation - Attend a series of 10 meetings that will help you understand the needs of the children and develop an understanding of how to meet those needs.

Family profile - While attending preparation meetings, you will be asked to complete some forms.

Family Consultations - Meeting in your home with a social worker will provide an opportunity for you to get to know one another.

Approval - Once you have completed the above steps you will be ready to increase the size of your family. The agency is not obligated to approve or place a child with any family.

Selection - Once you express interest in parenting a particular child to SNAP staff or your R and C worker, you will learn more about the child. Families are not required to accept a child for placement.

Placement - When all parties are in agreement that placement should be considered, regular visits will be scheduled, giving you and the child the opportunity to learn about each other.