Delaware Foster Care and
Adoption Guidelines

We are happy that you are interested in opening your heart and your home to a child. There are so many children who need families, not only in Delaware, but everywhere in our country. We look forward to talking with you about fostering or adopting.

Please feel free to contact the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Families for more information.

For information about fostering, contact:

• Kate Gallagher
  Phone: 302-633-2664
  Email: Kathryn.Gallagher@state.de.us
   

For information about adopting, contact:

• Lisa Jumps
  Phone: 302-633-2658
  Lisa.Jumps@state.de.us
   

Things You Should Know

• Foster and Adoption Licensing Requirements
• Costs to Foster and Adopt
• Agency Contact and Orientation Information
• Parent Support Groups
• Information on Delaware's Waiting Children
   

Foster and Adoption Licensing Requirements

You can see all the requirements regarding foster care and adoption on the State of Delaware website.

View Foster Care Information: includes general information, requirements for foster care, frequently asked questions and support for foster parents.

View Adoption Information: includes an explanation of the entire adoption process.

Costs for Fostering and Adoption

In Delaware, there is no charge to become a foster parent. If a family is licensed to adopt through their local Division of Family Services office and then adopts a child they are fostering, there is not a charge.

All other adoption in Delaware is done through private agencies. The State Division of Family Services has a contract with five Delaware agencies to provide services to families who are interested in adopting children from foster care. Those agencies are not paid by the state for the homestudy until a child is placed in the home.

Consequently, some agencies may charge the family up front and reimburse them after placement of the child in their home. However, all agencies are open to discussing financial issues individually with families and if this is an issue, fees are usually waived so the family can move forward.

If a family is licensed by one of the agencies in Delaware and then adopts a child who is in foster care in another state, the family may be charged upfront. They may or may not be reimbursed by the child’s state. However, when families adopt children who are in foster care and eligible for subsidies, the families may be eligible for reimbursement of limited nonrecurring adoption-related costs through federal options.

For more information, read the Deleware Department of Social Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families' Adoption Assistance Eligibility Determiniation Policy Manual (PDF - 191 KB).

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

Agency Contact

Use the information below to find your local Division of Family Services office.

• Foster Care Contact Information
  Email: foster_care.dscyf@state.de.us
  New Castle County: 302-451-2800
  Kent County: 302-739-4800
  Sussex County: 302-422-1400
  Toll-Free: 800-464-4357
  Address: 1825 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, DE 19805
  Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
   
• Adoption Contact Information
  Email: adoption.dscyf@state.de.us
  Phone: 302-633-2655
  Address: 1825 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, DE 19805

To use a private agency for foster care, contact one of the agencies below. Make sure the agency has a contract with the Division of Family Services.

• Children and Families First
• Children's Choice

To use a private agency for adoption, contact one of the agencies below. Make sure the agency has a contract with the Division of Family Services.

• Children and Families First
• Children's Choice
• Bethany Christian Services in Newark, DE
• A Better Chance for Our Children

Orientation Information

Delaware is a very small state, so some agencies don’t have regular orientation and training dates. They keep a list of interested families and provide meetings when they have a large enough group. For more specific information about finding the next training, please contact Amy Cressman, 215-735-9988, Ext. 319.

• Foster Care Trainings: The State of Delaware Division of Family Services conducts regular orientation meetings regarding fostering. Children and Families First also holds orientation meetings each month. To inquire or register, call 302-658-5177.
• Adoption Trainings: Bethany Christian Services schedules information meetings for prospective adoptive parents. For a schedule of meetings, information, and to register, call 800-215-0702. Children and Families First also holds orientation meetings each month. To inquire or register, call 302-658-5177.
   

Parent Support Groups

Adoptive Families with Information and Support

One AFIS parent support group meets the third Thursday of alternate months (January, March, May, July, September and November) at Simpson Methodist Church, 907 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE, 19805.

Also, a support group for parents of older and challenging children meets on first Fridays of every month.

Contact: Mary Jo Wolfe
Email: afisdelaware@comcast.net
Phone: 302-239-6232
Address: P.O. Box 7405, Wilmington, DE 19803-7405

Information on Delaware's Waiting Children

We have over 769 children waiting in foster care in Delaware. Many of these children are able to return to their birth parents or are adopted by relatives or their foster parents.

Presently, the state is recruiting for adoptive families for about 51 of the children. These boys and girls are primarily over the age of 8 and have a wide variety of strengths and positive attributes. Keep in mind that they have had some very traumatic experiences and they sometimes struggle – as anyone would – with adjusting to a new family.

To find out more about these children, please visit the Delaware Children's Department - Heart Gallery.