AdoptUSKids For Workers

Florida Foster Care
and Adoption Guidelines

 

We are pleased that you are interested in fostering or adoption.

For information, interested families in Florida can call the Adoption Information Center toll-free at 800-96-ADOPT (800-962-3678). This number only works when calling inside the state of Florida. When calling from the outside of Florida, dial 904-353-0679.

Contact Information

 

Things You Should Know

 

Foster and Adoption Licensing Requirements

 

Requirements for foster and adoptive parents include a Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting course (24 to 30 hours), also called M.A.P.P. classes.

  • Prospective foster parents complete a licensing study to become licensed to become foster parents.
  • Prospective adoptive parents complete a homestudy to be licensed to adopt.
  • The typical time frame is six to eight months for the entire process.

For more information about adopting or fostering, please call 1-800-96-ADOPT. Have more questions about adoption? Read our adoption FAQs or view the Road to Adoption.

 

Costs to Foster or Adopt

 

If a family is working with a “Community Based Care” agency, there is no cost to foster or adopt. Please call us to ask about finding a “Community Based Care” agency.

 

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

 

Find your local Community-Based Care agency through the Department of Children and Families using this list of agencies by region or this map of adoption recruiters and specialists.

There are as many as six to eight agencies in a community. Please call 1-800-96-ADOPT for the agency nearest you.

 

Parent Support Groups

 

Please call 1-800-96-ADOPT to find local Parent Support Groups.

Read about real families and their foster care and adoption experiences.

 

Information on Florida's Waiting Children

 

There are about 14,000 children in foster care in Florida. About 500 of children waiting for permanent placement are without identified families.

Get Social

Find out about our array of free services for families and child welfare professionals.
Register with AdoptUSKids to search our database of families who are home studied and approved to adopt
Join the conversation in AdoptUSKids online communities to connect and share with families and child welfare professionals.
Read our news and announcements to learn what is new in the field of adoption and foster care.
Use our free resources to strengthen your efforts to recruit foster and adoptive families, facilitate interjurisdictional placements, and enhance your agency’s ability to provide good customer service.