Adoption: How likely is it to get a healthy child under 5 in the foster to adopt program?

sweetjane

While I agree with Looney Tunes on the basic issues, I had no problem 'getting' a healthy child under 5.
It will largely depend on your state and area and what type of children are available. It will also depend on what you deem to be 'healthy'. We didn't put any stipulations on the child or children. They called us with an 11 month old 3 months after being certified. He is absolutely precious and 'perfect' in every way...to us at least. But he does/did have problems. He was born very premature and addicted to drugs. He was in the NICU for 3 months. When he left the hospital, he was at the doctor nearly twice a week for breathing and feeding problems. He had a serious case of vomiting and breathing problems. He was on a ventilator for many months. Because he was often in his crib...at the foster home or the hospital, he developed a flat head (forget the name). He had to wear a head brace for 6 months. His medical records were at least 300 pages long....and very scary to read and listen to. He was developmentally delayed and his speech was 'lacking'. At 11 months old, we really didn't know what to do....as we have no knowledge or experience with any of these issues. We agreed to meet him....that was all we agreed to. He met us at his foster home. He walked to the door, he beat on it and smiled, and he said 'daddy' to my husband. From that moment on, it really didn't matter to us what was 'wrong with him'. That's the only way I can explain it.
He didn't appear to be struggling with any serious issues by 11 months. He was still using a ventilator at night for breathing and didn't sleep for more than a few hours each night. He was still 'developmentally delayed'. We took him home after several visits. He slept his first night in our home for 12 straight hours. He didn't use a ventilator. He met with therapists at the hospital who said that he was 'way too advanced' to need their services. He still has an Easter Seals therapist who visits once every 2 weeks....but even she can't figure out why she still comes by....as he has surpassed everyone's expectations. He isn't a genius....he is a fully normal and healthy little boy. He MAY have ADD/ADHD as a preteen or teen, as SOME doctors have linked prenatal drug exposure to ADD.....but, frankly, MANY completely healthy infants have ADD by their teens. Sorry for the book, but I think that you will come across some serious information in ANY foster child's medical file. It can be scary and overwhelming. But that doesn't have to define the child and it doesn't necessarily mean that the child will absolutely be mentally or physically handicapped. The child WILL have something that caused he/she to be removed from their parents' care. Since you are seeking a younger child, that will MOST OFTEN be due to neglect or prenatal drug use. ALL foster children have medicaid, so ANY issues that your child needs help with will be covered by the state until age 18. The state may also cover additional issues if they arise. You can tell your homestudy agent what you can and cannot handle. Just be sure to be both honest AND try not to be extremely specific....it isn't a new car. The more specific you are, obviously, the longer you will wait. Take care.
<<Foster to adopt mommy.

Looney Tunes

The average age of children available for adoption through foster care is 8 years old.

That does NOT mean you won't get a child under 5, it just means:

1) Younger children may not have become legally free for adoption yet. The parents rights may not have been terminated. In general, unless there is severe abuse or neglect, before a TPR, a child MUST have been in foster care 15 consequective months out of 24 months.

See why the kids are older?

2) You can get a child who might be a "risk" placement. This means, that there is a high probability that the parent's rights will be terminated, but you are taking a chance. The court has the final say based on what the parents do.

3) Lots of people are fighting to foster "toddlers/babies." So you will have that "competition"......

Randy B

Our youngest daughter was adopted through the foster to adopt program and she came to us at 4 days old.

If you've got concerns over money and attention you can give to a handicapped child then I would have serious concerns over your ability to have enough money and attention for a non-handicapped child. Keeping in mind of course that handicaps can come up at any time through a child's life, adopted or not.

I think you have a lot more soul searching to do before you should even consider adoption of any child.

it is somewhat of problem for the reasons that Loony already said also after rights are terminated family has first crack at adopting and if none wants to or are able they ask the foster parents.
We were told your best bet is to be a foster parent for that age range and in foster care you can state what you will and won't accept and if you can't take a handicap child you don't have to.
We got our son two days old from the hospital. We did not want a baby but we were asked because we were doing foster to adopt and were licensed for both. Mom had a history of not working plans in the past and they wanted him to go to home that would probably adopt him. He is 5 months now and PC was just granted family already was not interested because they always try family first in my state. So they asked us. You have every right to say no at this point for what ever reason. We said yes and in a few months he will be our officially

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