Have you ever thought about adopting? Consider the foster care system.
The process may seem daunting, but there is a program to help.
We created the Hearts to Home Program for agency adoptions through foster care. It helps individuals and families navigate the entire process from application to completed adoption. We provide numerous, supportive services of an agency adoption. Also, Hearts to Home has additional resources for your family’s success.
Why Go Through the Hearts to Home Program Instead of a County Program?
While we encourage you to investigate your local county adoption services, many counties require that you foster first or foster only. The Hearts to Home program focuses on children in foster care who are awaiting adoptive homes. Our goal is to find permanent homes for youths ages 6 to 17 who are in the child welfare system. We work with every county in Florida. Additionally, we also work with out-of-state counties.
What Families and Individuals are Best Suited for the Hearts to Home Program?
The Hearts to Home Program has coordinated successful adoptions from foster care for: single men and women, same-sex couples, older couples, minority couples, first-time parents, and experienced parents.
Undoubtedly, you need to have a high degree of flexibility as well as the willingness to parent children with special needs. Consequently, many foster children have varying degrees of trauma experiences. Understand, you must be prepared to coordinate with various professionals to arrange special services as needed for your child.
Do You Provide Training for Prospective Parents?
Yes, we want you to be as prepared as possible!
We require all individuals and families in our Hearts to Home Program to complete the National Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents, our state-approved adoption education course. All children in foster care have experienced trauma and need to be parented with trauma-informed care.
Virtual classes are held in the evenings throughout the year.
While all youth in foster care have special needs by virtue of being removed from their family of origin, some children have more unique needs such as physical or mental disabilities that require more specialized treatment plans.
What is the Age Range of Children Adopted Through the Hearts to Home Program?
The average age of children waiting for an adoptive home in the foster care system is between 6 to 12 years of age. Generally, most children waiting for a family are school-aged children. However, the exceptions are children that are part of a sibling group with other children. If you want to adopt a child under the age of five, the wait is typically longer.
How Can I Learn More About the Hearts to Home Program?
Please contact us at Heart of Adoptions Alliance with any questions about agency adoption and county adoption services at (813)-559-0035. Thereafter, we will help you consider the legal, financial, physical, and emotional impacts of adopting from foster care so you can make the right decision for yourself and your family.
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Sources: https://heartofadoptionsalliance.com/hearts-to-home/
Keywords: hearts to home, agency adoption(s), county adoption services