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An affiliate of
Lutheran Family Services
of Nebraska
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| How much does foster care adoption cost? |
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Currently, to adopt a state ward the state pays for the cost of training, the Home Study, and the adoption finalization. The cost to the family is no more than any child living in your home for clothes, food, toys, educational needs, etc…
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| Is there financial help to care for an adopted special needs child? |
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A child from this program may be eligible to receive an adoption subsidy. A subsidy is intended to help with the cost of the often-expensive services the child may require. All children in the foster care program are eligible for Medicaid. Once adopted you may be asked to have the child put on your insurance but if this is not possible the child is eligible for Medicaid up to age 19.
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| How long does the license/adoption approval process take? |
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Both the foster care licensing and adoption Home Study processes include: PRIDE training, a completion of a Home Study which includes six hours of face-to-face contact with a social worker. The licensing process will take place on your last Home Study visit. The entire process can take anywhere from 6 months to one year depending upon the families availability and promptness of getting paperwork completed and back to the social worker or agency.
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| How old do I have to be to adopt and do I have to be married? |
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You need to be at least 19. There is not an upper age limit in order to adopt from this program. We are looking for all kinds of homes for all ages of children with different special needs. Single, married, divorced or widowed people may become adoptive parents. If you are unmarried, there cannot be another adult who is not related to you living in your home.
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| What qualities do agencies look for in an adoptive family? |
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Agencies look for families who can best meet the needs of the child who needs to be placed ... families who can commit to a child and are willing to raise them to adulthood ... people who like to parent! They believe providing a child a family is valuable. They understand providing a child with safety and permanency is important – even if the child is unable to say “thank you.” These are a few of the qualities agencies look for in adoptive families.
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| Can I choose the type of child I would like to adopt? |
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During the Home Study process, the worker talk with the family about the type of child they are open to. This includes the child's age, gender, and different behavioral issues and emotional needs. After being licensed, you may inquire about any waiting child in the state of Nebraska. The Nebraska state website will have photos and information on waiting children and the caseworker's name and email address. Any family can contact the worker assigned to the child you are interested in. If you would like to be considered as an adoptive family for a specific child or sibling group, you will need to have your worker send a copy of your Home Study to that child's worker.
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| Can I meet the child before he or she is placed in my home? |
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Yes, after a family commits to a child, pre-placement visits will take place before a child is permanently placed in their adoptive home. The frequency and location of visits will depend on the comfort of the child and the adoptive family.
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| Can I adopt the foster child living in my home? |
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Once the biological parent's rights have been relinquished or terminated, the child is then legally free for adoption. Contact the child's caseworker to discuss adoption options.
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| How do I adopt a relative who is in the foster care system? |
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You first need to contact the child's worker with the Department of Health and Human Services and inform the caseworker that you are interested in being the adoptive parent of the child. Then they will be able to answer your questions and let you know what options are available.
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| Can biological parents regain custody after their child is adopted? |
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No, once the parental rights have been relinquished or terminated the child is legally free for adoption.
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 Getting Started • Meet the Kids
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| Foster Child Adoption: Helpful Links |
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