Adoption and Foster Care

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Union County Social Services is dedicated to supporting and nurturing safe and stable families in our community.
 
We offer two essential programs: Foster Care Services and Adoption Services, each contributing to the well-being of children in need.

 

Foster Care Services
Foster Care Services are designed to provide a safe and nurturing temporary home for children who, for various reasons, cannot remain in their own homes due to parental challenges.

Our goals with foster care services are:
  1. Strengthen, preserve and/or reunite families after the child has been placed in agency custody.
  2. Ensure a stable, safe and nurturing temporary living environment.
  3. Achieve a safe and permanent home for all children in agency custody.
Adoption Services
Our Adoption Services focus on assessing, selecting, and facilitating the legal adoption of children in foster care who cannot reunite with their families.
 
To initiate the adoption process, families are required to go through an assessment period facilitated by the court, and a fee is determined based on the family's income.
 
We also assist with independent, step-parent, and relative adoptions for a nominal fee.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Foster parents come from diverse backgrounds. They can be single or married, homeowners or renters, and have varying levels of income. The most important qualifications are a genuine desire to provide a loving and stable home for a child in need and the ability to meet the training and licensing requirements.

  • Fostering involves providing temporary care for a child in need, with the goal of reunification with their birth family or transitioning to a permanent home. Adoption, on the other hand, is a legal process that results in a child becoming a permanent member of your family when reunification with birth parents is not possible.

  • The time it takes to become a licensed foster parent can vary, but it typically involves training, background checks, home assessments, and interviews. The entire process can take a few months. Once licensed, the duration of foster care for each child can vary greatly, depending on the circumstances and goals of their placement.

  • Foster parents receive ongoing support and resources, including training, financial assistance to cover the child's needs, access to support groups, and assistance from social workers. We are committed to providing you with the guidance and resources you need to ensure the well-being of the child in your care.

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  • While you may express preferences, it's important to remain flexible. The primary goal is to provide a safe and loving home for children in need, and matching a child with a suitable foster family takes into consideration various factors, including the child's specific needs and circumstances.


Steps to Becoming a Foster Home

To become a foster parent and make a positive impact in a child's life, you'll need to follow these important steps:
Submit an Application
Complete Training
Health Check
TB Skin Test
Safety Precautions
Background Check
Home Preparations
Ongoing Training
Agreements