Foster Care / Adoption Program
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Foster Care
Designed to provide short-term substitute care for children removed from their homes while providing services to their families. These services are directed toward achieving permanency plans through family reunification or alternative permanent placement when reunification is not possible. Services include: recruitment, licensing, and training of foster families; oversight of the care provider; counseling and therapy for children and their families; health care for the children; transportation; and other necessary supportive and reunification services. Foster care placements are made only for children who are abused, neglected, abandoned, or dependent on the State. Services may be continued, under special circumstances, up to the age of 21. Child support is pursued to cover the cost of maintaining a child in foster care. Foster care services are provided to any child or family in need of them.
Adoption Services
Program provides
the services required when attempts at maintaining or reunifying the child
with birth parent(s) or other relatives have been unsuccessful, and the
need for a safe, stable, and permanent family through adoption is
indicated. Most of the children needing adoption services are (1)
school aged, (2) members of a minority group, (3) members of sibling
groups that must remain together, and/or (4) have physical, emotional, or
mentally-handicapping conditions.
Services include: the study and evaluation of children and
their needs; adoptive family recruitment, development and selection; pre-
and post-placement services; and post-finalization services.
Referral to legal, services, court-related services necessary to finalize
an adoption, and processing of an adoption subsidy and/or reimbursement
for one-time-only expenses associated with the adoption of a special needs
child are additional services provided.
These services may be provided regardless of income. Priority for service to prospective adoptive parents is given to families who are potential resources for Maryland children awaiting adoption. No fee is charged.
An additional range of services called Adoption Search, Contact and Reunion services are offered. These allow interested birth relatives to request a confidential search to obtain information from other birth relatives separated through adoption. The adoption must have been conducted through a Maryland Court.
Adult adoptees (21 and older) and birth parents may request search, contact and reunion services unless the adult adoptee lives in the same home as a minor adoptive birth sibling. Individuals interested in these services file requests through the Department so that a referral can be made into a Certified Confidential Intermediary.
Fees ranging from $0 to $450 have been established to help defer expenses. Fees can be reduced or waived for those with income at or below the national poverty level. (See Fee Schedule)
Resource Program
The Worcester County Department of Social Services recruits families to provide temporary and permanent care for children in out of home placements. A network of families has been established and maintained to assist children who have been removed from their biological family because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Foster and adoptive parents have an essential role in providing a caring, nurturing, and protective environment for children as the team, consisting of social workers, mental health, medical and treatment professionals and you, works towards achieving permanence.
Who are Foster and Adoptive Parents? They are:
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Single, married, or divorced
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Homeowners or apartment dwellers
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21 years of age or grandparents
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Have children of their own children or childless
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Employed outside of the home
What do I need to do to be a Foster and Adoptive Parent?
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Complete 27 hours of pre-service training
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Complete a criminal background check on self and others over the age of 18 in the home
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Consent to a review of Statewide Child Protective Service clearance
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Complete a fire and home health survey inspection
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Complete medical examination for all household members
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Have sufficient income to support family
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Have adequate bedroom space
Foster and adoptive parents create an atmosphere where a child's personal and educational growth is enhanced. Can you? If you have the skills to provide a climate that enriches a child's emotional and psychological development, becoming a resource parent is for YOU! Empathy, patience and understanding are characteristics that are a must.
If you are interested in becoming a foster/adoptive parent resource, please call Terry Edwards at 410-677-6920.
Informational sessions are provided every fourth Tuesday of each Month at the One Stop Center in Snow Hill Maryland.
Open your heart and your home to a foster child.
Copyright © [2002] [Department of Social Services Worcester County, MD]