It varies from state to state.
In my state, we have foster only, adopt only, and foster adopt.
Foster only and adopt only, self explanatory. You either are ONLY a foster parent or ONLY an adoptive parent.
Foster to adopt is where the foster family is dual certified to foster and adopt (legally has to be if you take in a legal risk placement who hasn't had rights terminated), they can foster first, and be "first in consideration" for the child they have if the case plan moves to adoption.
We were foster to adopt, but our case was "Legally Free", so even though in all technicality, we were "foster parents" before finalization, our placement was just like an adoptive only placement...because the kids even got to use our last names and were never known by another to anyone who knows them now.
Hope that helps clarify.
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Originally Posted by CladdaghGal
I have only read the first page (and I am pretty new to the forum) but I did not know the choices were foster-only or adopt-only? Is this a state wide thing? From what I understood, your chances to adopt are better if you foster first. Now in this case it eliminates you if you foster? I don't understand this (nor do I agree with it!) ...
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Kristi
PROUD forever Moma to daughter K, age 13 and son K, age 12
Moved in on 08/15/2006
Finalized on 04/09/2007, 2:30 p.m.
Foster to Adopt, through DHS in Oklahoma