State Adoptions

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No matter what type of adoption you are considering - domestic, international, private, foster care, in-family - there are three specialists in each state and territory who may have information you need:

State Foster Care Specialist

The State Foster Care Manager in each State is the administrator or program manager who has oversight responsibility for all foster care services provided to children in the custody of the State/County. The Foster Care Manager is usually the key point of contact for programmatic issues or concerns, and may be able to provide statistics on foster children. Generally, however, families interested in becoming foster parents should contact their local public agency.

State Adoption Specialist

The State Adoption Specialist in each State has oversight for all adoptions and adoption-related activities. Generally an employee of the State’s department of social services, the adoption specialist has a comprehensive view of the State’s adoption system. The Specialist is the key point of contact for questions about adoption process, procedure, and policy; waiting children; statistical data; licensed agencies; access to adoption-related information and records; State statutes related to adoption; and adoption subsidy. Specialists routinely take questions from parents on these issues.

State Licensing Specialist

The State Licensing Specialist is the contact within a State department of social services who monitors the licensing status of child welfare agencies, such as adoption placement and foster care service agencies. State Licensing Specialists collect and retain all official complaints filed against a particular agency, and should be contacted by parents inquiring about the licensing status or complaints record of a particular agency

Turn to these experts for information about adopting through the foster care system, licensing requirements for agencies, to check on an adoption professional's history and any problems, to learn about homestudy requirements, and to find support resources.

One of the most important things to remember is that adoption law is state law. As you search for adoption resources in your state, keep in mind that working internationally or across state lines to adopt, you will also be subject to other laws and regulations. Be sure to ask your adoption professional for a clear explanation of any differences in laws that may affect your adoption plans.

State-Specific Resources:

Adoption Professionals & Support Services
State-Specific Adoptive Parent Discussions
State-Specific Foster Child Adoption Discussions
State-Specific Search & Reunion Discussions
Everything by State: Parents hoping to adopt, forums full of state adoption information, adoption registry by state to search for birthfamily, waiting kids, and much more.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois

Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana

Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island

South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

State Adoption Forums, State Adoption Articles, State Adoption Blogs,

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)