Overview
Adoption creates a permanent legal family. Adoption from foster care is different from private domestic or international adoption: children are typically in state or tribal custody, and reunification or kinship placement may have been considered first. Families need preparation for grief, identity, trauma, sibling relationships, culture, and lifelong connection.
Realistic expectations
- The process includes education, background checks, a home study, matching, transition, legal finalization, and post-adoption support.
- Children are not products to be matched to adult preferences; their voice, relationships, culture, and needs matter.
- Timelines vary and may be emotionally demanding.
- Leave One Light On does not match families with children or provide legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is adoption from foster care free?
Public-agency adoption may involve little or no cost, but circumstances vary. Ask the responsible agency about fees, assistance, and post-adoption services.
Can I adopt a specific child I see online?
A photolisting is an introduction, not a promise. Qualified caseworkers determine whether an approved family can meet a child’s needs.
Does adoption erase a child’s first family?
No. Ethical adoption respects a child’s history, identity, relationships, and grief while building permanent family connection.