Thank you for your interest in adopting, fostering or both! We are here to help you. Call or email us any time.
Sincerely,
Your South Carolina Recruitment Response Team
Contact Information
South Carolina Council on Adoptable Children
Gail Groomster or Ursula Kelly
(803) 256-2622
gail-coac@sc.rr.com or ursula-coac@sc.rr.com
Para información en español, contacte:
Maria Pena
(718) 598-1188
lanamorales@aol.com
Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption
Requirements to become a foster parent:
- Complete 14 hours of training;
- Complete a foster care application;
- Undergo a criminal background check;
- Provide copies of birth certificates and, if applicable, marriage licenses and/or divorce; decrees (other personal documents may also be requested);
- Provide three references;
- Submit current medical reports; and
- Pass fire and health department inspections.
Guidelines to adopt:
- U.S. Citizenship;
- Must be of legal age;
- Can be married or not married;
- Have a reasonable income;
- Have enough living space ( but this does not mean that you have to live in a house);
- Should be in good health and able to parent children;
- Must provide a wholesome environment; and
- Complete the foster parent requirements, too (yes, they are for adopting, too).
Download Informative brochures and helpful forms.
Do you have questions? Please call or email us!
Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?
In the State of South Carolina, it does not cost to foster.
In the State of South Carolina, it does not cost to adopt a child who is waiting in SC foster care if your agency is the department of social services.
If you choose a private agency to adopt through, they may charge fees. If you adopt a child who is waiting in foster care in another state, you may be charged fees. However, when families adopt children who are in foster care and eligible for subsidy, the families may be eligible for reimbursement of some adoption-related costs, such as attorney’s fees and court fees, through the child’s state and/or federal options.
Please call us if you have any questions. Many families choose low-cost or no-cost options every year.
Parent Support Groups
SC COAC – SC Council on Adoptable Children
www.sc-adopt.org
Monthly Support Group and Lending Library
(803) 256-2622
schildren@sc.rr.com
ACES- Adoption Coalition for Education and Support
www.aceskids.org
(864) 322-2495
info@aceskids.org
Agency Contact and Orientation Information
Orientation: The Training Institute for Foster and Adoptive Parents (TIFAP)
- Sponsored by South Carolina Department of Social Services & The Center for Child and Family Studies, College of Social Work @ University of South Carolina.
- Beginning in January 2004, TIFAP will be offering training to all SC Department-of-Social-Services-licensed foster and approved adoptive parents.
- Classes will be offered in Charleston, Columbia, Horry and Greenville.
- Pre-registration is Required.
- Persons interested in registering for classes should contact Beverly Ingram, Director, TIFAP, either by telephone at (803) 777-0382 or by email at beverly.ingram@sc.edu.
Agencies:
To find your Department of Social Services office, please contact us.
Call DSS at (803) 898-7318.
Visit the South Carolina Department of Social Services website to view information about adoption and foster care services.
County by county contact information for DSS offices.
Nonprofit or Private Agencies:
Please contact us for a list of nonprofit or private, licensed agencies.
Information on Children
There are 4,757 children in foster care in South Carolina; 1,819 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.
Upcoming Events
April 18 - 20: Parent Support Weekend at Camp Kinard in Leesvile, SC, hosted by Children Unlimited of Family Service Ceneter. This is a Parent Support Weekend for parents who have adopted through DSS. Contact Rebecca Carney at (803) 929-6654 or email rcarney@children-unlimited.org.
More information on future events, please contact us at (803) 256-2622 or email gail-coac@sc.rr.com or Ursula-coac@sc.rr.com.