Course /Foster Parenting 101- Foster to Adopt
As discussed in the first lesson, the main goal of the foster care system is to reunify children with their birth families whenever possible. However, when a judge determines that the birth parents cannot safely or responsibly care for the child, their parental rights may be terminated. At that point, the court works to establish a long-term permanency plan, such as adoption, to provide the child with a stable and lasting home.
In the U.S., adoption through foster care has become the most common form of adoption. Still, it’s essential to remember that reunification — not adoption — remains the primary goal of foster care.
Each year, about 15%–20% of children in foster care have their parental rights terminated, a figure that has remained steady over time. Meanwhile, the percentage of finalized adoptions — which typically take 14–18 months — continues to increase.
Financial assistance may also be available for adoptive parents, depending on the child’s age, needs, and state policies.
The rules for terminating parental rights differ by state, but nearly all states allow termination when:
A child has been abandoned, or
A parent has been convicted of a violent crime against the child.
If a parent fails to make meaningful progress in correcting the conditions that led to the child’s removal, a judge may proceed with termination.
Under the Adoption and Safe Families Act, states are required to seek termination if a child has been in foster care for 15 of the past 22 months — though exceptions exist. For example:
It may be deemed not in the child’s best interest to terminate rights.
The state may not have made sufficient efforts to support the birth family (though this isn’t required in all cases, such as violent offenses).
In states like New York and California, children aged 12–15 and older (depending on the state) must consent before parental rights can be terminated.
This process can be lengthy and emotionally challenging for foster-to-adopt parents. Many express frustration at the lack of consistency and accountability, and some feel the system sometimes prioritizes the birth parent’s rights over the child’s well-being.
If you prefer to foster children whose parental rights have already been terminated, that option often exists.
Once parental rights are terminated, most adoptions proceed smoothly. A study in Illinois found that between the start of placement and finalization:
Only 12% of adoptions were disrupted (i.e., not completed).
After finalization, less than 6% were dissolved, meaning the child returned to the foster system.
These findings highlight that, despite the emotional and legal complexities, most adoptions from foster care succeed, giving children the stability and belonging they deserve.
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