Thank you for considering adopting and/or fostering a child. My name is Janet Ostler, and I am the RRT for AdoptUsKids in Montana. I am happy to answer your questions and to help to make this experience a positive one. For more information, please contact me at (801) 265-0444 or by email at janet@adoptex.org.

Contact Information

The Adoption Exchange

Janet Ostler

(801) 265-0444

janet@adoptex.org

Para información en español, contacte:

Rachel Yarbrough

1-800-451-5246

rachel@adoptex.org

Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption

You may qualify to be a foster and/or adoptive parent if you:

• Are single or married. In the case of couples, you will need to have been together for at least 24 months.
• Are a relative of a child in foster care.
• Rent or own your own house or apartment.
• Have enough income to support your current household without relying on foster care reimbursement.
• Complete an orientation and pre-service training program.
• Provide references that can attest to your appropriateness to provide foster care for children.
• Are over 18 and pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check of the National Criminal Information Database and a Child Protective Services background check in all states you have lived in for at least the past five years (or possibly longer).

The process to foster and/or adopt is as follows:

1. 1. Call your local Child and Family Services division (CFSD) office to get information.
2. 2. Register for the pre-service training.
3. 3. Send your completed application to your Family Resource Specialist or to your local CFSD office.
4. 4. A Family Resource Specialist will contact you to begin a homestudy that will include visiting your home, completing paperwork and assessing your family.
5. 5. If you are licensed for foster care or approved to adopt, your family will be considered for placement of a child, dependent upon the needs of the child. Families are identified to meet the needs of children.

To learn more about becoming a licensed foster parent, please call 1-866-9-FOSTER or email your name and address to askaboutfostercare@mt.gov.

To learn more about becoming an approved adoptive parent, please call 1-866-9-FOSTER or email your name and address to askaboutadoption@mt.gov.

Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?

There are no fees to foster or adopt in Montana.

Parent Support Groups

For Parent Support Groups, please contact the family resource specialists in the county office where you live.

Montana also has a Foster and Adoptive Parent Association. Visit the National Foster Parent Association website, click on the state of Montana and view the contact information.

Family Resource Specialists in the county where you live can advise you as to how to check out books and videotapes from your area’s resource parent library.

Utah’s Adoption Connection Lending Library is a post adoption service provided by The Adoption Exchange and available to Montana residents. The Library includes selected titles for both adoptive families and the professionals who serve them. Patrons checkout up to three titles at a time and return them to us within six weeks. As part of a generous donation from Kennecott Utah Copper Charitable Foundation we are able to mail these items to you free of charge. Please visit Adoption Connection for the most recent title selections.

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

Contact your county agency to receive information on orientation and training in your area.

Contact a private adoption agency in your area.

Information on Children

The children who are placed in foster care by CFSD range in age from infants to teenagers. Frequently sibling groups need placement. The children come from many different backgrounds and reflect the cultural diversity of the state. There are 2,222 children in foster care in Montana; 646 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.

Upcoming Events

• Annual Child Abuse and Neglect Conference - usually held in April. For foster and adoptive parents and professionals. Call (406) 444-5900 for more information.
• Montana State Foster and Adoptive Parent Association Annual Conference - usually held each September. Call (406) 444-5900 for more information.
• Indian Child and Family Conference - held in October each year. Call (406) 444-5900 for more information.