Child Welfare System

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What Is Child Welfare?

Child welfare is a continuum of services designed to ensure that children are safe and that families. have the necessary support to care for their children successfully. Child welfare agencies typically: ▪ Support or coordinate services to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Foster care

Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by States for children who cannot live with their families.

Adoption Process Stages

There are six product adoption stages—awareness, interest, evaluation, trial, activation, and adoption.

Apply for Adoption

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: Do you have to be a certain age to adopt?

    A: You must reach age 18 before the adoption is finalized and you must be at least ten years older than the child you wish to adopt.

  • Q: Do you have to be married to adopt?

    A: You may be single, married, in a domestic partnership or a civil union. The Division will not preclude a person from being an adoptive parent based solely on their culture, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, affectional orientation, or marital/civil union or domestic partnership status.

  • Q: Do you have to own your own home?

    A: You can own your own home or rent a house or an apartment. The child does not need his/her own bedroom, but must have his/her own bed and enough space for his/her personal belongings.

  • Q: Do you have to be wealthy?

    A: You must be able to financially support and care for your family.

  • Q: Can I receive assistance to adopt?

    A: An adoption subsidy is available to most families who adopt children with special needs. Subsidy includes a monthly payment including clothing allowance, coverage of medical care through the Medicaid program and payment of legal fees to finalize the adoption.

  • Q: Do you have to be a U.S. Citizen to adopt?

    A: No. You do not need to be a US citizen, but you must have legally entered the United States and plan to stay long enough for a placement to occur.