The goal of foster care is typically reunification. The hope is that parents will get the help that they need to be able to safely parent their children. Foster care is meant to be temporary (and ideally, short term). Adoption is forever. Once a foster adoption is finalized, the child’s case is closed. Though there may be continued interaction with members of the child’s birth family, the adoptive parents have permanent legal custody. I’m not sure why this stubborn myth persists. Adoption from foster care can be costly, for sure. It may cost you time, effort, energy, love, passion (and sometimes blood, sweat and tears). But it will not cost you a lot of money. In many cases, all of the adoption fees are reimbursed by the state. Attachment with your child adopted from foster care may come easily. Or it may take a lot of effort. Take the time. Make the effort. Your child is worth it. Adoption from foster care is not for everyone. But it is for some of us. And if it’s for you, know this: it will be a wild ride, but your kid is worth it.
