How much does is cost to adopt from foster care?
There are no direct fees charged to families adopting children in the foster care system. In many cases, a financial subsidy is made available following adoption to assist the family with day-to-day expenses of parenting a child with special needs. Ongoing medical insurance through Medicaid may also be available for the child as well.
Can I meet the child or children before they are placed in my home?
Yes! If you/your family are deemed a potential match for a child, the agency will arrange contact between the child and your potential adoptive family. Contact usually begins with short, casual visits and progresses to longer visits and overnight stays.
How long is the process?
The entire process can take anywhere from 4 months to a year or more from the time of training to the placement of a child. These children have been through so many changes that great care is taken to find the right match between a child and family. It is important for the child to have a slow, thoughtful transition to their prospective adoptive home.
How old are the children available for adoption through foster care?
Generally, children available for adoption through foster care are 8 and above, unless they are part of a larger sibling group who need to be adopted together.
Do siblings need to be adopted together?
Great care is taken to ensure that siblings do not become separated while in foster care. Siblings who become available for adoption must be adopted together, unless special circumstances arise. Siblings who are featured together on the Nebraska Heart Gallery must be adopted into the same home.
Can biological parents regain their custodial rights?
Once a parent has relinquished their parental rights or their rights have been terminated, it cannot be reversed.
Do children in foster care need to maintain relationships with biological family?
In many cases, children have established relationships with biological family members or other social supports, but are not able to be permanently placed with these individuals. Contact with these family members and/or supports varies from child to child and could include visits, phone calls, or letters. Continued relationships are encouraged when in the best interest of the child. Prospective adoptive families will be informed of any such relationships prior to being matched with a child.