After that , the family ’ s application is sent out , containing a lot of personal information and supporting documents , such as medical screenings and tests , followed by a high-level background check . Then Gabuat does an in-home safety check , followed by an assessment and home-study visit from a social worker . “ The social worker asks a lot of invasive questions to really get to know these families .”
The whole process can take between four and six months , but occasionally the process can be sped up to accommodate an urgent situation . Rachel and her husband were approved in one week to take their then-infant son . This is also the case where an extended family member wants to take in a child , Misley said . Sometimes families will get pre-certified , perhaps because a relative with a child is using drugs or in other difficult situations and they want to be qualified just in case things worsen .
Flexibility is a key requirement of foster-adopting ,
Rachel said . “ Things change all the time . I packed our little one ’ s bags twice because he was set to leave and then he didn ’ t .”
Though many families do adopt through the foster process , about 60 percent of kids return to their biological families , Misley said . The other 40 percent either age out , get adopted or enter legal guardianship — where their parents ’ custodial rights are still intact , but someone else is legally responsible for their care . This tends to happen more often with older kids , Misley said . “ For older kids , adoption can feel like giving up their other family . We encourage adoption for younger kids , because it ’ s a more permanent situation .”
Rachel said , “ It is such a blessing when you see a foster child start to blossom with stability , structure and clear expectations and love . It is so worth all the sacrifices it takes .” For more information about the foster adopt program , contact : Becky Gabuat , bgabuat @ rcskids . org , or call : 408-871-4962
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