Expanding Your Family: Foster-to-Adopt
Every child deserves a loving home where he/she can feel safe and valued and can thrive. And thanks to our Foster-to-Adopt Program, children who've been removed from their families because of abuse or neglect can still have a chance to grow up in a safe, loving environment.
Putting Children First
The Hope Cottage Foster-to-Adopt program serves children 0-4 years of age and sibling sets that include at least one child under 4 years of age. The program tries to place these little ones in a nurturing home where they will receive the routine supervision, guidance and discipline necessary to become productive, well-adjusted young adults and adults. Foster-to-Adopt homes are not suited for children in need of therapeutic or rehabilitative care or those with primary medical needs.
Who We're Looking For
Foster-to-Adopt families are adoption-minded individuals and couples willing to provide a loving foster home to a child as long as the child needs one — even if that's forever. Because Foster-to-Adopt foster homes are preapproved for both foster care and adoption, a "legal risk" child who is eventually freed for adoption will be able to make the transition to a permanent home that much more seamlessly.
Foster-to-Adopt parents must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 25 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass a criminal and child abuse background check
Additionally, they should be willing to:
- Complete 30 hours of preservice training with a focus on children who have been abused or neglected
- Become certified in first aid and CPR
- Submit to a comprehensive home study
Covering Your Costs
Hope Cottage doesn't charge fees to foster families in the Foster-to-Adopt Program. Instead, a daily "reimbursement" is paid to them during foster placement to help defray the cost of food, clothing, recreation, transportation and housing.
Families who go on to adopt a child under the guardianship of DFPS (Texas Department of Family and Protective Services) will, however, be required to pay a one-time finalization fee. All other costs associated with the adoption are covered the DFPS and private donations. But if the child qualifies for Title IV-E or state adoption assistance, any nonrecurring adoption expenses may be reimbursed after the adoption is finalized.
Educating Yourself About Foster-to-Adopt
To learn more about the specifics of the Foster-to-Adopt program, call Hope Cottage at 214-526-8721. Or email us with your mailing address at adoption@hopecottage.org.