| Foster Care Adoption - What does it all really mean? | | | | however, the foster parent (you don't have to have |
| Foster parenting, also known as co-parenting, is when | | | | previously fostered), must undergo the entire |
| you have a temporary obligation towards a child who | | | | adoption process just like with any adoption. |
| comes into care. The State places children in foster | | | | You will be required to attend adoption classes and |
| care because the biological parent neglect or abuse | | | | they are not your basic parenting classes. In these |
| the child. | | | | classes you will discuss such things as child abuse |
| The natural parents are ordered by a judge to take | | | | reports, acceptance of the child into your family, how |
| parenting courses, behavior management courses or | | | | to deal with their behavior issues and how to |
| whatever necessary so that they may get their | | | | respond if they ask questions about their biological |
| children back along with a date in which to do it. | | | | parents. |
| The child is allowed short visits with the parents and | | | | These classes will give you a better understanding of |
| during this time the judge evaluates the progress of | | | | how to cope with a child who has experienced |
| the parents. It usually takes 6 months to a year for | | | | tragedy and dysfunction in their lives. |
| the parents to complete the judge's requests, but | | | | To be the best foster parent you can, you should be |
| often there will be extensions. Depending on the | | | | able to truly love a child with all your heart. Taking a |
| circumstances and the rulings of the judge. | | | | child from foster care to adoption is a huge leap. You |
| While the child is in foster care, the state will look for | | | | must realize that it is no longer temporary but a life |
| relatives of the biological parents who can take care | | | | long commitment and you should love your child as if |
| of the child. This is done to maintain family ties if | | | | they were from your own flesh and blood. |
| possible. | | | | Every child deserves to be taken care of by a good |
| If the parents are successful in following the judge's | | | | family. Foster parents who turn real parents for kids |
| orders, they will get their children back. However, if | | | | in foster care who have been abused and neglected |
| they fail to comply, the judge will terminate the | | | | are just some of society's good Samaritans. For |
| parent's rights to their children. They will then be | | | | these parents touch and change the children's lives, |
| what is known as "wards of the court" or "legally | | | | as well the children touch and change the parent's |
| open for adoption". | | | | lives, thus, making an attached and happy family. |
| A foster care adoption can now take place. First, | | | | |