for families
Who Can Foster and Adopt
- Adoption Laws and Resources for LGBT Families
- Adoption Resources for Military Families
- Adoption and Foster Care Resources for Minority Families
- Global Adoption Resources
How to Adopt
- Common Myths About Adoption
- Deciding to Pursue Adoption
- Applying to Adopt
- Completing an Adoption Home Study
- Getting Approved to Adopt
- Being Matched with a Child
- Receiving an Adoptive Placement
- Legalizing an Adoption
- Being an Adoptive Parent
How to Foster
- Deciding to Pursue Fostering
- Applying to Foster
- Completing a Foster Home Study
- Getting Approved to Foster
- Receiving a Foster Placement
- Being a Foster Parent
Register with AdoptUsKids
State Adoption and Foster Care Information
Post-Adoption Resources
Request to Be Contacted
Indiana Foster Care and Adoption Guidelines
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to assist you. We want to answer any questions or respond to any concerns that you may have as you navigate the preparation process.
Email: snap@childrensbureau.org
Phone: 888-25-ADOPT (888-252-3678)
Things You Should Know
- Foster and Adoption Licensing Requirements
- Foster and Adoption Costs
- Agency Contact and Orientation Information
- Parent Support Groups
- Information on Indiana's Waiting Children
- Upcoming Events
Foster and Adoption Licensing Requirements
Foster Parent Requirements:
- Complete licensing packet issued by your county of residence
- Complete 10 hours of training
- Do criminal background checks and CPS checks as required by the state of Indiana
- Complete homestudy process with the county or agency that is working with you
Adoptive Parent Requirements:
- Complete application packet issued by the county or agency with whom you are working
- Complete 16 hours of training, do criminal background checks and CPS checks as required by the state of Indiana
- Complete homestudy process with the county or agency that is working with you
Foster and Adoption Costs
In some cases, you may be required to pay for your criminal background checks and CPR/First Aid classes if you choose to do them on your own, outside of the training process.
In some counties, you may be required to pay for your homestudy at first and will later be reimbursed for it. Please contact us about this at snap@childrensbureau.org or at 888-25-ADOPT (888-252-3678).
Agency Contact and Orientation Information
Indiana has 92 counties and each county has different resources available. Since there is so much information regarding the preparation process, we would like to start out by talking to you on the phone or emailing you - whichever you prefer. Please contact us about this at snap@childrensbureau.org or at 888-25-ADOPT (888-252-3678).
Parent Support Groups
Support groups vary across the State and change frequently. For information regarding a support group near you, please contact a special needs adoption specialist (SNAP) in your area. Use this area specialist locator map or call 888-25-ADOPT to speak with a specialist.
Information on Indiana's Waiting Children
There are approximately 9,294 children in foster care in Indiana, and many of them are waiting for adoptive families.
Upcoming Events
The resources below have information on upcoming events, including conferences, adoption fairs, and Heart Gallery events.






