Foster children who are at least 16 years old and who are in custody of the State shall be eligible. This service provides adoptive homes for children in custody of the State who are legally available because the birth parents have been permanently deprived of parental rights by court action, or who have voluntarily relinquished their children for adoption. The choice of an adoptive home is based on the best interests of the child. When the children placed for adoption are hard to place because of their special needs, a subsidy payment can be approved to enable adoptions by a family needing assistance in caring for the child. Independent adoption home studies shall be completed only by direct order of a District Court.
Access is available only by a referral from foster care staff.
Adults wishing to adopt a child may apply to their local DCFS Office for consideration. Receipt of applications can be suspended by a local office based on the number of approved homes waiting for a placement and the number of children available. To be eligible, the child must be in custody of the State, be legally freed for adoption, and the Division must determine that adoption is the best Permanency option for the child. Persons approved to be adoptive parents must meet certain standards before approval. Fees, based on a sliding fee schedule, shall be charged for home studies sent to the U.S. Immigration Service and for completed Independent Adoption Home Studies.