I live in North Carolina, have been a licensed foster parent and am now getting an adoptive homestudy done through the Children's Home Society of North Carolina (out of Greensboro). It is not necessary to foster in order to adopt (though in some cases, it might be advisable).
In fact, I've called two different states about children listed on
www.adoptuskids.org and, the social workers were very interested in talking with me and encouraged me to have my homestudy updated (something that's a MUST in adoption).
It would be worth this family's time and effort to contact the Children's Home Society in Greensboro, whether pursuing fosterparenting or adoption.
Best wishes!