Children of different backgrounds and ages are available for adoption through the Santa Cruz County "Forever Families" Adoptions Program. Children who need homes and families usually because they are unable to leave the foster care system to safely return home to their biological families. Some were born to parents who are unable to raise them due to the parents' abuse, neglect or illness; some are already with a family of siblings who need to grow up together; some have been relinquished for adoption by their biological parents who believe adoption is the best plan for their child.
Also, many children placed into foster care while their parents receive Family Reunification services. Some parents do not successfully complete their reunification services; other parents are not offered services at all. In these instances, the Forever Families Team looks for a permanent home for the foster child. Oftentimes, the foster parent will ultimately become the adoptive parent. Every case is different. It is critical you consult with your child’s social worker for the best understanding as to whether or not the child may be freed for adoption at some point in the future.
Successful adoptive parents can be any one of us: single, married, divorced, with children or without children, LBGT, young or old, homeowner or renter. We are looking for people who will open their hearts and homes to our children. Older children and siblings are in particular need of adoptive homes.
To be a successful Forever Parent, you will need to have:
Older children and sibling sets are in particular need of foster and adoptive homes. Often, it's easier to foster or adopt siblings because they support each other.