B e c o m e  an  Adoptive  P a r e n t

Adopt a Waiting Child--Give a Child a Permanent Home

What is adoption?

  • Legal transfer of all parental rights and obligations from one person or couple to another person or couple.

  • After the adoption is finalized in court, the adoptive family has all the legal rights and responsibilities of a birth parent.

  • Who are the children in need of adoption?

  • The majority, ages 5 to 11, are children in the foster care system.

  • The parental rights of their birth parents have been permanently terminated in court.

  • Most of the children have special needs.

  • More than half are minorities, and more boys than girls are waiting for homes.

  • Many of the children have physical or emotional problems because of prior neglect or abuse, or multiple foster home placements.

  • How do I qualify to become a Tabor adoptive parent?

  • You must be 21 or older.

  • Your income must be adequate to care for a child.

  • You and everyone in your family age 18 and older must have a police and a child abuse clearance.

  • You attend 10 weeks of training for 2.5 hours each week.

  • An adoption social worker from Tabor Children’s Services will complete your home study.

  • What happens in the adoption process?

  • The matching process begins when a child is identified and is placed in your home for a minimum of six months post-placement supervision.

  • The social worker will visit your home and address any problems or questions that arise

  • Your attorney will file an Intent to Adopt Petition with the court 30 days after placement.

  • At the completion of the supervisory period, more legal papers are filed by your attorney, and the court schedules a date for the finalization hearing.

  • Are subsidies available?

  • Yes, if the child has special needs.

  • Yes, if the child is a member of a minority group, or is age 3 or older.

  • The child will be eligible for a monthly subsidy that may continue until the child reaches age 18.

  • How do I start the process?

    Adopting a child with special needs can be a demanding job with few guarantees,

    but a special child can fill your life with love and joy.