This concept was developed in the 1970s to reduce the number of moves a child must endure while in the Child Welfare system awaiting either a return to the family of origin or a move to the permanency of adoption. It is a child focused practice. Courts are reluctant to create “legal orphans” by terminating parental rights without being assured that an adoptive family is available.

Today, many of the children who are placed through licensed agencies are placed into families that are trained, studied and certified to be both foster and adoptive families. Families then assume the risks of parenting children they may never adopt. In this form of placement, the family will be told the possible risks in the placement and the likelihood of the parental rights being terminated. The family can then decide if this is a placement they are interested in undertaking.

The rewards for the child and the family are worth the risks involved. 

Which path is the best one for you to take?

1. Domestic
2. Foster Adoption
3. International