[Archive]

Originally Posted By Liz

My DH and I were foster parents here in Illinois for a few years and we have adopted 2 special needs older children (one in state adoption and one out-of-state). I do know that you
are only allowed to have a certain number of foster children
(with a limit also on how many you can have under the age of six at any given time).

Since we gave up our license after our last adoption 3 years ago, I am not sure if the numbers are still the same, but at that time you could not have more than six children total including your own. If you are adopting a special needs child through the state, that limit also applies as you would be that child's foster parent until the adoption is legally finalized (about 6 months). However,exceptions to that rule are made on an individual basis in the case of large sibling groups being adopted together and if you are already the legal parents of a child whose siblings later become available for adoption thru the state.
There may be a few other reasons that an exception might be
made, but it is usually done in order to maintain existing
sibling relationships.

If you chose to do an independent adoption, (a child who is not a ward of state) these rules do not apply. However most independent adoptions tend to be babies and not "waiting children".

Either way, I would ask your licensing worker or adoption worker if you have any special concerns about your own situation, especially if you are interested in adding a sibling group to your family.