Adopt a teen in foster care!

Why adopt a teen?

Because they need love and belonging just like all of us. Teens are not too old to bond or for you to mold. In fact, teens in foster care are some of the most loving young people you’ll ever meet.

Teens who age out of foster care often have no place to call home. Nowhere to go for Thanksgiving dinner, no one to walk them down the aisle, pick them up when they stumble, or help them learn what it means to be an adult. They need parents to teach them what a loving relationship looks like, how to file their taxes, and how to disagree without fighting.

Who can adopt?

Any adult (21 or older) who has space in his or her home, the time and energy to parent (yes, adopting a teen demands lots of time and energy), stable finances, can pass background clearances, and is willing to understand the needs of children who have experienced trauma.

Adoptive parents can be:

• Married or single
• Straight or gay
• Own their own home or rent
• Live in a house or a unit in a larger building

What are the steps to adopting?

• Find an adoption agency
• Complete pre-service training and home study
• Be matched with a child
• Have that child live with you for at least six months before you can file an adoption petition

Adopting a child from foster care is not expensive. You won’t have to pay agency fees or incur lots of other expenses and Family & Youth Initiative will help you navigate the process.