Five Myths About Adopting From Foster Care

Adults Adopting Special Kids

Myth: Adopting from Foster Care is Too Hard

Each person has their own experiences with the child welfare system, but we can assure you that our Adults Adopting Special Kids Specialists are experts in their field and will partner with you every step of the way. They will help you gain an understanding of the foster care system and the adoption process, all while supporting you through the twists and turns of a child’s journey through foster care and adoption.

Myth: Adopting Younger Children is Easier than Adopting Teens

All children within the foster care system have experienced some level of trauma, regardless of the age they came into care. Teenagers are incredibly resilient and most of them long for a permanent, safe, and loving home. Adoptive parents have a chance to provide a sense of belonging to teens and give them a lifelong commitment that will change the trajectory of their lives.

Myth: There is No Support After Adoption

The North Dakota Post Adopt Network is a service that provides support to families who have
adopted. The Post Adopt Network is a support system that offers a wide array of services and is completely free to you and your family. One extremely important component of any adoption or guardianship is the support network that families have as their child/ren continues to develop.

Myth: I Have to be Foster Care Licensed to Adopt

If a prospective adoptive family is interested in providing temporary care for children in foster care who have experienced trauma and loss, they can certainly become licensed to do so. However, it is not a requirement to be foster care licensed to adopt through the AASK Program. We work with all families throughout the state of North Dakota who are interested in being a forever home to children in need.

Myth: Adopting is Expensive

The upfront costs of adopting through the AASK Program is less than $500, though this is often reimbursed to families after adoptive placement. Most all children in foster care qualify for adoption assistance. The Adoption Assistance Program was created to help secure and support safe and permanent adoptive families for children with special needs. It is designed to provide adoptive families of any economic level with needed social services, and medical and financial support to care for children in foster care.