At Foster Adopt Minnesota, we have a strong focus on providing information and referral assistance to those interested in being a foster, adoptive, or kinship family for children in foster care in Minnesota. Much of the information provided in these sections will pertain primarily to caring for children in foster care.
Below are brief descriptions of the most common types of adoption. If you are interested in domestic infant or international adoption, we encourage you to contact one of the licensed private agencies that assist families with these types of adoption or contact us at info@fosteradoptmn.org or 612-861-7115 for further assistance on how to identify an agency.
Foster Care Adoption
Many children who grow up separated from their family of origin have or are at risk of having special needs. These needs can include emotional and behavioral needs, or physical or cognitive disabilities. Sibling groups who need to be placed together in an adoptive home are also considered to have special needs.
Some special needs are physical and can be a result of prenatal exposure to drugs and/or alcohol, genetic birth defects, or early neglect or physical abuse. Emotional and behavioral needs often result from neglect, sexual or physical abuse, which are all usually accompanied by emotional abuse. Many behavioral needs seen in children with special needs are actual coping and survival skills that developed over time. They are responses to unreasonable situations that the children experienced.
Individuals who are interested in adopting through foster care can learn more about the process here: Foster Care and Adoption Process
Interstate Adoption
Interstate adoption may include families wanting to adopt a child from foster care in another state, or families seeking a private infant adoption in another state. Either way, these types of adoptions are facilitated by a private adoption agency. Typically, families interested in out of state foster care adoption must first be considered as an adoptive resource by the child’s social worker. The worker will submit a referral through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (Learn more about ICPC). The referral is then assigned to the family’s local county to complete the home study and foster care licensing.
Infant Adoption
Over the years, the number of infants placed for adoption has decreased. In most cases, there are numerous prospective adoptive families waiting for the limited number of infants available for adoption. Private agencies have their own requirements regarding training and fees. Families should inquire directly with private agencies to learn more: DHS List of Licensed Adoption Agencies
International Adoption
Families interested in adopting internationally will also find that each private agency has their own requirements regarding training and fees. Additionally, there may be different requirements depending on which country you want to adopt from. For more information about international adoption, contact a private agency that specializes in these placements: DHS List of Licensed Adoption Agencies ; Adoption Service Provider Search
Stepparent or Adult Adoption
Foster Adopt Minnesota is unable to provide legal assistance regarding the process for stepparent or adult adoptions. Families can learn more about the process and get the required forms on the Minnesota Judicial Branch Website: Stepparent Adoption ; Adult Adoption
If you have additional questions about a specific situation, it may be beneficial to request a free consultation with an adoption attorney. Follow the link for a list of Minnesota Adoption Attorneys. You can also try contacting a self-help center and submitting any questions there.
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