Currently, there are approximately 2,000 California children waiting to find a loving new home, yet many potential parents are unsure about adoption. While they may want to step out and help a child have stability, love, and a place to succeed, many potential adoptive parents are unsure about the financial strain, their ability to provide care for children who maybe struggling with emotional issues, and their own qualifications as parents. Thankfully, Southern California adoption agencies don’t leave parents alone once they have received placement with a child.
The Adoption Assistance Program
The adoption process itself may require some money up-front to pay for things such as finger-printing, background checks, and special fees, but this money may be reimbursed depending on the situation with the Adoption Assistance Program or AAP. The AAP was created in 1980 to help people who want to adopt children but are unsure about the financial strain.
AAP is only available for adopted children who have special needs, but these special needs can include being older, having emotional problems, being mixed-race, and being part of a sibling-group.
Readying through Family Counseling
Children who have been in foster care and their new adoptive parents often benefit from family counseling in Orange County and other surrounding areas. This can help children to overcome past trauma and move forward with their new lives, while assisting parents in the best ways to deal with certain behaviors.
The requirements for adopting in California are that parents must be at least 21 years old and financially stable. Adoptive parents must be willing to have a background check, home visits, provide references, and attend free training courses. Adoptive parents may be single or married, own or rent a home, practice any or no religion, work any type of job, and be of any ethnic group as long as they are able to pay bills.
The foster system is desperate to find homes for California children who are waiting for adoption. The qualifications are simple and there are unlimited resources to help new parents succeed. There is no reason for those interested in adoption or foster care not to contact adoption agencies in Orange County and other counties in Southern California, like ChildNet Youth and Family Services, and discover how they can help a child find the home they have been dreaming about.
Sources:
California Foster Care and Adoption Guidelines, Adopt US Kids
California, Adopt.com
