Adoption and Post-Adoption Services

Adoption and Post-Adoption Services

What is Child Adoption?

Child adoption refers to the process by which a caregiver who is not a child’s birth parent takes full and legal responsibility for a child. The child becomes a full and permanent member of their adoptive family. Adoptive parents permanently assume all rights and responsibilities for the child, and their biological parents surrender those rights.

Most adoptions through the Children’s Hope Alliance’s adoption center occur through our foster care system. If the child is unable to return to their biological family and their foster family decides to adopt them, we can help facilitate and officiate this transition. We also provide post-adoption services to support the creation and sustainability of this new, permanent family.

Are You Interested in Adopting?

School-age children, sibling groups, and adolescents are available for adoption. There are minimal costs to adopt from the N.C. foster care system for families licensed with our agency. We offer experienced staff who provide training, licensure, placement, and finalization of adoptions. Post-adoption support services are available to all adoptive families in our catchment areas free of charge.

Post-Adoption Support Services

Our main goal at CHA is to provide a safe, loving home for children in our care. There are many times when youth who have been in foster care become available for adoption, and we are able to help facilitate that process. Once an adoption is finalized, we are proud to continue to wrap our services around that family and provide Post-Adoption Support. These services are offered free of charge. In addition, this program is open to any family in North Carolina that has adopted a child and is in need of support, even if you did not adopt through our organization. This program is not time-limited, meaning this service is always available to those in need.

Our Values as a Post-Adoption Support Team

Why do we offer post-adoption services?

Our mission is dedicated to empowering you, the post-adoptive parent, with the tools to confidently bridge the gap between where your child is behaviorally and emotionally to where you want them to be.

How do we accomplish this?

Together, we will embark on building a community united in the unique journey of post-adoption parenting. We offer tailored, evidence-based training and coaching, through teamwork and support, essential respite assistance, valuable community resources, impactful annual conferences, support groups, and virtual teen hangouts.

Our Post Adoption Support Services

Foster Care and Adoption FAQs

What are the requirements to be a foster parent?

In North Carolina, eligible foster parents must: 
– Be 21+ years old
– Provide a stable, drug-free home
– Have a reliable income
– Be open to a criminal records check and being fingerprinted
– Complete training required by the state
– Be licensed by the state

Will I be able to take a break from caring for a foster child?

Yes, you will be able to take a break from caring for a foster child—in fact, we encourage you to do so! Children’s Hope Alliance provides respite care to foster parents so that they can have time away from the foster child to re-energize.

Will I meet the foster child’s birth parents?

While it depends on the situation, most foster parents do engage with the foster youth’s biological parents. Through scheduled visitations, foster children are able to stay connected with their families, which we always encourage when it’s best for the child.

Will I have a choice about which child is placed in my home?

The fostering process is collaborative in that you can set your preferences for a specific age group and which behavioral or medical needs you are comfortable meeting. Your case manager will then find the right child that matches your family values, structure, and routine.

How great is the need for foster parents?

There are more foster children in need of homes than there are foster homes in which to place them, so the need for foster parents in North Carolina is great. If you feel called to serve but have more questions, please download our free Foster Parent Guide.

What is foster care adoption?

Sometimes a foster child is not able to return to their family, usually as the result of a court’s decision. In this case, the foster child is adopted, either by their foster parents or another family. This is a foster care adoption.