What is a Forever Family?
Children of different backgrounds and ages are available for adoption through the Santa Cruz County "Forever Families" Adoptions Program. The Forever Family Team starts with children who need homes and families usually because they are unable to leave the foster care system to safely return home to their biological families.
We are looking for families to be “forever homes” for these children and we support adoptive families through the adoption process. These children in need of homes come from backgrounds as varied as those of persons interested in adopting a child.
Some were born to parents who are unable to raise them due to the parents' abuse, neglect or illness; some are already with a family of siblings who need to grow up together; some have been placed in foster care under the supervision of the Juvenile Court and will be freed for adoption by a court process; and some have been relinquished for adoption by their biological parents who believe adoption is the best plan for their child.
Who can adopt a child?
People with a variety of life experiences and from all religious, ethnic, cultural backgrounds and orientations can become successful Adoptive Parents. Adoptive parents may be single, married, divorced, with children, without children, LGBT, younger or older. They may rent or own their home. We are looking for people of quality who are willing to open their hearts as well as their homes. Older children and sibling sets are in particular need of foster and adoptive homes.
To be a successful Forever Parent, you will need to have:
- A willingness to work with the County throughout the home study, placement and legal freeing of the child for adoption to finalization.
- A sense of humor, patience, a strong sense of family, a good support network of friends and family.
- An understanding that your child will some natural curiousity about his or her background as he or she grows up.
- A household that shares a committment to the length and ongoing involvement of the adoption process.
- An understanding that biological parents can be a valuable resource.
- Relatives and extended family members.
Older children and sibling sets are in particular need of foster and adoptive homes. Often, it's easier to foster or adopt siblings because they support each other. And, they're truly delightful.