Fost-Adopt Care Explained

A fost-adopt program bridges the gap between an initial foster need and a long-term need for permanent placement. Counties and states have foster care adoption programs, as do some private agencies in conjunction with social services. Social workers place children with specially-trained adults before the parental rights of the biological parents are permanently terminated.

This arrangement differs from traditional fostering because the adults pre-commit to adopting the child if and when the rights of the biological parents are terminated and the child is able to be adopted. In the interim, family reunification efforts sometimes take place. Biological parents may also appeal the decision regarding parental right termination.

In general, a child placed in a foster care adoption program is less likely to return to his or her biological family. During the time the biological parents still have parental rights, the new caregivers serve as foster parents. This type of program exists to prevent the child from having to make another move when it seems that adoption is likely to be the outcome. Since the child could still be returned to the biological family, the placement is considered a legal-risk placement.

Fost-adopt care is attractive to many adults because a high percentage of the children within the program are young, including infants. Adults must be educated regarding the program and ensure that social workers evaluate the legal risks. If the biological parents do not maintain their rights, another biological family member may express interest in adopting the child.

Some children placed in fost-adopt care have medical needs or may have been exposed to alcohol or drugs before birth. Others may be groups of siblings that include older children, though many states indicate that their fost-adopt programs most often contain younger children. Adults wishing to learn more about the fost-adopt program should contact the state foster care manager or state adoption specialist.