Adoption
Think you can’t make a difference in the life of a child? Think again.
Each year, there are more kids in foster care waiting for permanent homes than there are families willing to adopt them.
Children & Families First is committed to finding families for children who need a permanent home through adoption. While the process may seem daunting, CFF staff can support you and answer your questions every step of the way. Children of all backgrounds and ages need adoption; though many have special needs or situations, such as being part of a sibling group or older than eight years of age. Individuals of any race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnic group are eligible to adopt.
You can make a difference. Consider adoption.
Who are the children available for adoption?
Children of all backgrounds and ages need adoption. Many have special needs or situations, such as:
- Eight years of age and older
- Part of a sibling group
- Multiple foster home placements and/or traumatic separation from caretakers
- Challenging behaviors
- Physical and/or mental challenges
- Prenatal exposure to drugs and/or alcohol
- At-risk for HIV/AIDS
- Legal risk adoption placements (when parents’ rights have not yet been terminated)
- Open adoption with various levels of contact with the birth family
While children of all races need adoption, most waiting children in Delaware are African American. Some children waiting for adoption in Delaware are listed on the State’s Heart Gallery website.
Who can adopt a child?
In order to adopt in Delaware, you must be:
- A Delaware resident between the ages of 21 and 65
- Single individuals, traditional and non-traditional couples, and couples married at least one year
- In satisfactory health
- Able to financially support a family, and provide safe, adequate housing
- Able to arrange adequate child care if one parent is not at home full-time
- Committed to maintaining the optimum health and safety of the child
- Emotionally stable and able to love a child born to other parents
- Able to accept the child’s background, uniqueness, and limitations while encouraging the child to reach his/her potential
Individuals of any race, gender (or gender identity if we want to cast a wider net), religion, sexual orientation, or ethnic group are eligible to adopt.
What is the process to adopt?
Prospective adoptive parents are offered information about adoption and an opportunity to evaluate whether adoption of a child is right for them. The prospective adoptive parents must:
- Attend an information meeting
- Complete an application form
- Attend group preparation meetings
- Prepare a written autobiography
- Successfully complete a criminal background check and child abuse history clearance
- Provide references
- Have a physical exam, including a TB test
- Meet with staff in your home and in our office for a series of interviews
Children & Families First then completes a written home study that is used to match waiting children with adoptive families.
What is the cost to adopt a child?
- $125 non-refundable application fee
- $275 non-refundable preparation fee that is due prior to training classes
- $600 home study fee that is due prior to the completion of the study. This is refunded if the child placed with your family is identified by the government has having special needs.
Note: All home studies must be updated annually, in order to remain open. There is a $200 annual fee for this service if needed.
What services are available for adoptive parents and their children?
Children & Families First provides counseling and support services during the process – from home study to placement until the adoption is finalized. Training and assistance with referrals for ongoing support is available after finalization. Finalization is usually completed after the child has been in the home for six months. Delaware children who have been in the foster care system receive Medicaid benefits until age 18, even after they are adopted; this covers health benefits and the cost of counseling. Some children with very specialized needs may receive an additional subsidy until age 18.
For those who would like to find out more, please call (302) 658-5177 or (800) 220-3092. You can also read our latest Resource Parent Newsletter. In addition, we offer Foster Care and Adoption Information Sessions the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at our offices statewide:
2005 Baynard Blvd
Wilmington, DE 19802
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91 Wolf Creek Blvd., Suite 1
Dover, DE 19901
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410 S. Bedford St.
Georgetown, DE 19947
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