Foster the CBC of Central Florida Vision, Mission & Commitment CBC of Central Florida is a non-profit, lead agency that believes all children have the inalienable right to grow up safe, healthy and fulfilled in families that love and nurture them. Since 2004, we’ve helped abused, neglected and abandoned children and their families by combining compassion and innovation with flexibility. It’s always been the mission of CBC of Central Florida to ensure that all families in Orange, Osceola and Seminole County are able to safely care for their children by engaging, protecting and inspiring every child, every day through a network of support. The assistance, resources and programs available through our network of local providers grow with the needs of our communities and the individuals who live here. We strive to provide the highest quality services for our area’s most vulnerable children.
Adopt a new way of life for yourself & someone in need. Learn more.
Adoption services recruitment & information resources
Our commitment to community grows with its needs.
Children’s Home Society of Florida www.chsfl.org 321-397-3000
Intervention Services
www.interventionservices.com 407-331-8002 x 140
Florida Adoption Assistance Program www.adoptflorida.org 800-96-ADOPT
ADOPTION: Distill the myths, get the facts. MYTH: IT TAKES TOo LONG FACT: You can be ready to adopt in as little as 6-8 months MYTH: IT’S TOo EXPENSIVE FACT: Adoptions cost around $1,000 and costs can be reimbursed by the state MYTH: I HAVE TO Foster first FACT: It helps, but it is not necessary
Adoption
MYTH: MOST FOSTER KIDS ARE disabled FACT: Some are, most aren’t (most children thrive in loving, permanent homes) MYTH: I’M TOo OLD AND DON’T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY FACT: Children need loving, patient parents, not young & wealthy ones
protect and inspire every child, every day. Corporate Office 4001 Pelee Street Orlando, FL 32817
Phone: 321-441-2060 or 866-90-CHILD (24453) Fax: 407-681-0560 www.CBCCFL.org
protect and inspire every child, every day. 866-90-CHILD (24453) www.CBCCFL.org
How does a child become eligible for adoption?
Can I become an adoptive parent?
How do I start the adoption process?
Beautiful children can be stuck in broken homes. Fortunately, there is a way to make them whole again.
If you can find a place in your heart to adopt a child, a real home will be created.
Today, there are many children who need to find a home, who need a sense of worth & belonging, who need a second chance, who are forgetting what family means.
Today, there is someone who is missing opportunity, there are children who need stability, a child can only imagine what happiness is, someone is praying you’ll hear them.
Once you decide to pursue adoption, you will begin the approval process. Because the process varies slightly in different areas of the state, some of the steps may also vary.
The word adoption conjures many feelings and communicates emotion on several levels. Often, foster care leads to adoption, which begins a lifelong journey of opening up your heart and your home to one of our children searching for their forever home. Much like the CBC of Central Florida’s Foster Care Program, our Adoption Program helps answer many of the frequently asked questions; walks prospective adoptive parents through the steps in the approval process; uncovers the common myths with the actual facts; helps families decide what is the best situation for them; plus connects families with available children.
Ask yourself first: Why do I want to adopt a child? Can I provide a stable home for a child? Is this child just a substitute for a lost child or a person in my own life? Am I willing to go through the process to have a child? How will I handle friends’ and family’s questions about adoption? Can I love this child as my own? How will I deal with my child’s questions about birth parents? When will I tell my child about adoption? Can I afford to take another person into my family?
Who can adopt? Most adults, married or single of all backgrounds, who can provide a stable, loving home to a child. Who can be adopted? Foster children whose birth parents’ parental rights have been terminated by the courts may be adopted. What does it cost to adopt? Florida does not charge to place foster children in adoptive homes. The legal finalization (court & attorney fees) of the adoption could cost less than $1,000 (and may be reimbursed by the state). How long does it take to be ready to adopt? The answer varies. The process can usually be completed in 6-8 months.
Today, means more than you know, could change everything, could be the first day of someone’s new life, is the perfect day to change a life forever. Steps in the approval process: • Attend orientation & overview of process, expectations, timeframes & training schedule • Complete 10-week training & preparation course (PRIDE: Parent Resource for Information Development and Education) • Undergo home study health evaluation background checks (including fingerprints) references (personal, employer & school officials) counselor visits (interviews with children & other family members) • Pass approval process (upon completion of application & home study packet) • Notification of application receipt • Continue to look at available children & attend recruitment activities • Notify counselor when interested in certain child or sibling group • Establish a match & participate in required pre-placement activities • Await placement (occurs when you, child & counselor deem ready) • Monthly placement supervision • Counselor provides “consents to adopt” to your attorney • Finalization (hearing before judge to legalize adoption)
What historical information about the child is provided? The foster care history; birth information; medical history; assessments or psychological evaluations; current daily habits & preferences; non-identifying social & medical information about biological parents and birth family. What kind of post-adoption support is available? For children with special needs, financial assistance to help meet their expenses may be available. What traits make a successful adoption family? Sense of humor; true acceptance of the child’s differences; ability to measure success in small steps; firm belief in commitment.
FULFILL LIVES—YOURS AND THEIRS If you’re interested in changing the life of a child or children who don’t have a permanent place to call home and would like to begin a journey of opening up your heart and your home by becoming an adoptive parent, a special someone will be forever grateful.