National Adoption Day was in November and in Miami-Dade County it was celebrated with the adoption of 27 children at a ceremonial event at Miami Children’s Museum of Science. The event was filled with joy for those children who were adopted it was the first day of the rest of their lives with their forever families.
And while their celebration will last a lifetime, hundreds of thousands of children remain in the foster care system and in need of adoption across the country. In Miami-Dade County, about 120 kids age out of the foster care system every year having never been adopted. There are more than 1,000 children in our county waiting to be adopted.
The holidays are the perfect time for adults and families to ask themselves whether adoption is right for them. Here then is a quick primer on common questions associated with adoption:
1. Are you qualified to adopt and what kind of adoption is right for you?
In Florida, you have to be at least 21 years old to adopt. You can be single or married, and either rent or own an apartment or home. There are three different ways to adopt: through the foster care system, with the assistance of an attorney or agency that specializes in adoption, or internationally. The foster care system is typically the least financially burdensome and includes children in your community that need forever families.
2. How long does it take to adopt?
Adoption through the foster care process takes about a year - from the training classes through taking an adopted child home.
3. Are you prepared to adopt?
As part of the process to adopt a child in Florida, prospective forever families will go through a home study process to see whether a family is prepared to adopt. Specialists determine whether a caregiver and their family are able to care for an adopted child emotionally, physically and financially.
4. What are the financial requirements to adopt?
There is no specific financial criteria for adoptive parents, although finances are part of the home study. To adopt a foster child in Florida, there is almost no cost - and the state will reimburse you up to $1,000 in adoptions costs, including attorney’s fees. Adoptive parents also are eligible for a federal tax credit.
5. Is there support for adoptive parents and families?
- Tuition and fee exemption for any Florida public state university, public Florida College System institution or public postsecondary career and technical program. The waiver is valid until the adoptee’s 28th birthday.
- Adoptive parents receive a monthly stipend until the adopted child turns 18.
- Postadoption services are available until the adopted child turns 18.
6. How will your life change after adopting?
Your life will never be the same after adopting. The love you give and receive from adoption is unique and can fill your life with joy and wonder. There will be challenges and complications, but overcoming them and giving a child a fulfilling life and preparing them to become adults is part of what makes adoption so special.
7. What are the reasons to adopt?
There are infinite reasons to want to adopt a child. But the overriding reason should always be a yearning to give and receive love. Adoptive parents are needed around the world and in Miami-Dade.
To explore adoptions in Miami-Dade County, visit the www.miamiheartgallery.org.