Criteria for Becoming an Adoptive Parent

Requirements

  • 21 years of age or older.
     
  • Home inspection by the fire department for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and an ABC-rated size 10 or larger fire extinguisher (foster parents only).
     
  • High school diploma or graduate equivalent diploma (GED).
     
  • Minimum of 30 hours of pre-service training, which includes TIPS-MAPP (Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting), CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), first aid, and others.
     
  • Income sufficient to meet your needs and the needs of the children, whether from employment, retirement or disability benefits, or an alternate source. Income must be provided on a financial reporting form.
     
  • You must not be receiving public assistance, such as food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Work First benefits, or public housing.
     
  • Environmental inspection of your home.
    Each household member must have a physical examination.
     
  • Each household member 18 years of age or older must take a tuberculosis (TB) skin test.
     
  • Ability to obtain all items and materials for children in the home (cribs, car seats, bedding, etc.)
     
  • Each child must have his/her own bed, and separate and accessible drawer space for clothing and belongings. Day beds and futons are not acceptable as bedding.
     
  • A home consultation at your residence
     
  • A working landline telephone.
     
  • Criminal record check and fingerprinting.
     
  • No more than five children residing in the home at the same time, including biological, adoptive, and foster children. Specifically, you cannot have more than two children under two years old, and/or three children under five years old.
     
  • You must not have been found to have abused or neglected a child.
     
  • Must have a fence installed if your home has direct access to hazardous objects (such as a trampoline), or access to water (swimming pools, streams, rivers, lakes, etc.)
     
  • Identification of support to help in emergencies that occur with the children, such as picking up a sick child from school or daycare during business hours. 
     
  • Identified support must undergo criminal record checks and understand the discipline policy.
     
  • Pet restrictions may apply.
     
  • No licensed daycare can be in the home.