If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at 1-888-25-ADOPT, and we will be happy to assist you. In addition, someone in our office will be following up with you to answer any questions or concerns you may have as you navigate the preparation process.

Contact Information

Indiana Foster Care & Adoption Association

Cookie Purvis

(317) 524-2600

cpurvis@ifcaa.org

Para información en español, contacte:

Almita (Cookie) Cruz-Dilosa

(317) 490-1967

cookiedilosa@att.net

Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption

Foster Parent Requirements:

• Complete Licensing Packet issued by your county of residence;
• Complete 20 hours of training;
• Do criminal background checks and CPS checks as required by the state of Indiana; and
• 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 26 hours of training, do criminal background checks and CPS checks as required by the state of Indiana; and
• Complete homestudy process with the county or agency that is working with you.

Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?

In some cases, you may be required to pay for your criminal background checks and/or 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 call or email us about this.

Parent Support Groups

Support groups vary across the state and change frequently. For information regarding a support group near you, please contact Angela Kiste at the Indiana Foster Care & Adoption Association, and she will be happy to direct you. The phone number is (317) 524-2600.

To learn more about the Indiana Foster Care & Adoption Association, please go to www.ifcaa.org.

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

Indiana has 92 counties and each county has different resources available. There are also licensed agencies. 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. We hope that you will call or email us to learn more about orientations and agencies available to you.

Information on Children

There are 11,257 children in foster care in Indiana; 3,195 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events including conferences, adoption fairs and Heart Gallery events can be found at: www.ifcaa.org; www.adoptachild.in.gov; and www.indianaheartgallery.org.