Can I Adopt from Foster Care?

Foster care is a temporary arrangement, with the goal usually being to reunite the child with their biological family. While there are no guarantees of adopting a foster child through CCR, it does happen. By approaching foster parenting with the right mindset and being open to the challenges and realities it presents, your family may have the opportunity to adopt a child from Wisconsin foster care.

Fostering to adopt requires supporting the reunification goal.

The good news is that adoption from foster care is an option for nearly any person looking to grow their family, including those who are single, married, LGBTQ,  partnered, working, or at home at any stage in life. Many CCR foster families have successfully adopted. For some, it was their goal and they accepted the risks inherent in adopting from foster care. For others, the opportunity to adopt their foster children happened unexpectedly.

CCR foster parents with the desire to adopt a foster child are encouraged to keep reunification at the forefront of their minds. As a qualified CCR foster parent, your role is to support the child in your care and their biological family throughout the reunification process. This is a meaningful opportunity to expand the child’s support network by supporting them and their family however needed.

Being a CCR foster parent means you must always be prepared for the very real possibility that the children you hoped to adopt may be returned to their birth parents or placed with other relatives. That reality can be challenging for foster parents hoping to adopt.

If reunification does not happen, only then, are CCR foster parents considered as an adoptive resource.

Listen to our podcast: Can I adopt from foster care?

Becoming a foster parent with the hope of adoption.

Becoming a foster parent with the hope of adoption is welcomed at CCR. When a child, youth, or siblings are referred to CCR, the permanency plan is known: most often, that goal is reunification. If reunification is not possible, TPR, termination of parental rights, will be pursued. Of course, the goal can change and often does, but it's important to know for purposes of initial placement.

CCR uses a thorough matching process that considers the needs of the child or siblings and the desires, strengths, and experience level of the foster family.

If we know TPR is anticipated or in process, we aim to place the child with a family interested in adoption, otherwise referred to as a “pre-adopt” home, to avoid disrupting the placement at a later date.

In other words, we want to avoid placing a child in a home NOT interested in adoption to avoid having to move the child to a pre-adopt home at a later date.

There is often a dual role for foster parents referred to as “concurrent planning,” meaning that while a plan to reunify children with their biological family is being actively pursued, work is also being done to achieve an alternate permanency plan quickly—often adoption by the foster parents—should the reunification plan not be successful.

Adopting a child from foster care

Adoption from foster care can be joyful, meaningful, and life-changing — but families should also expect complexities and challenges. From the emotional trauma, a child experiences before entering foster care, and the additional traumas of being separated from their family, a child’s mental, emotional, and behavioral health are deeply affected.

Many CCR foster families have successfully adopted. Although the percentages are low, less than 20%, it does happen, and we have witnessed many families grow through adoption.

CCR is a Wisconsin foster care licensing and child placement agency.

While we welcome anyone wishing to grow their family through foster care, CCR does not offer a direct path to adoption. We are a foster care license and placement agency. Thus an adoption will only occur after reunification has been deemed impossible and the process of termination of parental rights has taken place. 

Listen to our podcast: Can I adopt from foster care?

If you are interested in adopting a child that is legally free, we encourage you to explore Adopt Us Kids or contact a local adoption agency. The cost to adopt from Wisconsin foster care is nominal. In most cases there are very few fees.

Growing your family through foster care.

The good news is, adoption has been a beautiful journey for many CCR foster parents, and it can be the same for you, too. We would love to discuss the possibilities and what adopting a foster child may look like for you and your family. Please contact us to discuss becoming a foster parent. 

Teen Finds His Passion While in Foster Care

If you are considering being a foster parent, you will love this story! A feel-good account of one young man's journey to find his passion. His foster parents encouraged and supported him to try new things and work hard. Every season was a new adventure. They had yet to learn how hard he would work and where it would lead. Nick proves that teens in foster care can heal, grow, and reach their goals!

Teens in foster care must be encouraged to explore activities.

Nick came to our family with his brother in February 2017 as a shy, timid boy. It seemed like he was always waiting for something bad to happen because that was his past; that's what he knew. It took him six months to look people in the eye when talking. When he got used to school, he asked us about sports, and we encouraged them. First, Nick played baseball, and after a couple of fly balls to the head, we decided that he should do something different.

Then came football, but a concussion sidelined him. Wrestling was next, and he liked it and was good. Finally, in 7th grade, he gave Track a try and discovered he had a talent for running. In 8th grade, he also ran Cross Country, won several races, and found his passion!

He continued with Track and Cross Country throughout High School, going to state his Junior year in both. He just missed standing on the podium with an 8th place finish in the mile that year in track and finished 18th at state in CC. During this time, he was still wrestling, winning matches, and having fun. Determined to make it to the podium in CC and Track his Senior Year, Nick put in close to 2,500 miles in the off-season. To say it paid off is an understatement.

Foster care can provide opportunities for self-discovery

Nick won Conference and returned to State in Cross Country, earning a 7th-place finish. Next up, he qualified for the Junior Olympics. 
Our family trip to College Station, Texas, to watch him run was amazing! Nick ran a brilliant race and placed 9th out of 93 17-18-year-old athletes from all over the United States.
During Nick's senior Year in Track, he was one of the top runners in the State, winning both Conference and Regionals in the 1600 and 3200-meter runs. At Sectionals, Nick again placed 1st in the 1600 and placed a close 2nd in the 3200. He broke his own school records in each event and holds five individual records at his High School.
Nick signed his letter of intent to run Cross Country and Track at UW Stout next year. Nick is proof that kids can heal. Teens in foster care can reach for their dreams like any other kid. It doesn’t matter where you come from as long as you put your mind to it.

Adopting from foster care has been a gift to my family.

My wife and I adopted Nick and his brother Richie in 2020, making us a family of 9 then. (Now we are 10) I encourage everyone to consider giving a teen in foster care a chance to reach for the stars!

AdoptionStitzer

CCR desperately needs more foster homes for teens. Please don't fear fostering teens; please don't believe fostering little kids will be easier to care for. Remember that challenging behaviors don’t necessarily begin during the teenage years. Many behaviors and emotions build over time, often starting in the early years of development. The good news is healing does happen. Teens like Nick can blossom and offer foster parents many unexpected rewards.
All identifying information are altered to protect the privacy of children.

Wisconsin Teen Told He Should Never Have Been Adopted

A Wisconsin teen is in search of a new foster family. Mitchell is 13 and in foster care again. He needs a foster home as soon as possible, where he can get back on track with the consistency/predictability of programming while knowing he is safe and wanted. Would you have considered helping Mitchell if you were a CCR foster parent?

Teen in foster care hoping for a new family

Mitchell's adoptive mother recently made contact with him, causing several issues and disrupting his most recent foster home placement. His mother is highly triggering to him. Mitchell is not interested in communicating with his mother at this time. Due to the upsetting events, the current foster family has submitted a 30-day removal request, and the county is searching for a new home.

skateboard boy

His adoptive mother has repeatedly told Mitchell that he should never have been adopted and that he has destroyed her life. As a result, he is pretty dysregulated and anxious about finding a "new family" and inquires if every person who walks through the door will be his new mom or dad.

Mitchell is reactive to yelling/arguing; thus, he will do best with a calm foster family who is not quick to anger and can effectively use de-escalation tools. He is very good at testing limits. Much of his escalation occurs when providers get into power struggles with him. He likes to have control, so options are best for him, allowing him to make his own decisions.

Fostering teens requires patience and acceptance.

A new foster home should be able to provide Mitchell with consistent parenting skills and a structured, well-planned, scheduled home environment. He would do well in a house with younger children and a home with great flexibility to transport Mitchell to appointments and programs. In addition, he has expressed hope of finding a family with dogs or a farm. However, he has never experienced having a pet.

chicken

He craves attention and often overwhelms others to make people like him. Mitchell does well with peers but needs help with perceptions/what other kids think. He perseverates on comments other kids make, which is when behaviors show up.

He has been physically and verbally aggressive with his mother in the past. His mother preempts the aggression by telling him she does not want him anymore. His current foster family reports when Mitchell is dysregulated; he can be successfully redirected by offering a snack. He responds well to bear hugs and tight hand-holding. He does not like formal exercise. Using an outdoor swing has successfully allowed Mitchell to calm himself down.

Getting foster kids involved in sports helps in many ways.

Mitchell loves basketball in the driveway, which has also been a good coping activity. He also enjoys playing video games and riding his skateboard. In addition, he was able to participate in the school football program last fall. The structure, interaction with the other boys, and the presence of the coaching staff was an excellent experience for him.

skateboard

Mitchell has diagnoses of Autistic Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, Sensory Integration Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (likely caused by trauma). Cognitively, Mitchell functions close to his age level. However, he often struggles to express emotions effectively and tell you why he is upset. Mitchell has an ongoing psychiatrist and is prescribed medication.

A positive male influence, as well as calm personalities, would benefit Mitchell. He is currently attending afternoon therapy and working on how he perceives others and his interactions with peers and others around him. They have reported he is incredibly respectful and follows through on what is asked of him.

CCR is desperate for more foster parents wanting to help kids like Mitchell. Last month we received 22 teen referrals from counties across Wisconsin. Unfortunately, we did not have a home for any of them. Placing teens in loving homes is getting more and more difficult.

Please visit our how to qualify to become a foster parent page and learn about the requirements you need.

A Very Brave Boy in Wisconsin Foster Care

Jamal is a 10-year-old boy in Wisconsin foster care. He has been living with a CCR foster family for about a year. He and his little sister are doing well and developing solid relationships with the foster parents. Jamal was crushed that he did not see his mom over Christmas. He believes his mom is mad at him because of their conversation the week before. Here is a summary of what happened.

Being a foster parent means developing solid and unique bonds with children.

Jamal was disappointed that his mom didn't show up for their Christmas visit. He is afraid that she doesn't want to see him anymore because of something he told her. She blamed missing the visit on the weather, but Jamal is convinced his mom is mad at him. Jamal states his mom has a history of lying and not telling the truth. When she gets caught lying, she speaks more lies. When she is mad, she ignores people.

During the past year, Jamal has developed powerful feelings for his foster parents. He thought about talking to his mom about his feelings for a long time. He found the courage to tell his mom he wanted to be adopted by his foster family during a visit before Christmas. He told his mom that he believes he is in a better place with his new foster family and feels strongly his mom is not physically or emotionally able to care for him. What a brave, insightful young man! 

 

Kids in foster care are often stuck in the middle.

Jamal said his mom listened and didn’t get mad right away, but she was sad, cried, and hoped he would want to come home.

Jamal shared what he liked about being part of his foster family and compared that to life when he lived with his mom. He remembers not having much food and spending most of the time indoors. He said he didn't like living in a dirty house or staying up late. Several times, he fell asleep at school because he was so tired. Jamal also told his mom that he didn't understand why his mom and older sister were always locked in their bedrooms. He doesn't know what they were doing, but sometimes they didn't come out until the next day. As a result, he and his little sister didn't get to eat or brush their teeth.

He is very happy in his foster home because he gets to eat dinner every day, takes long showers, and doesn't get hit with things by his foster parents when they are mad.

Jamal reported to his case manager that his mom would spank him with different objects. In addition, he was told to lie if a man came to visit because the social worker didn't want the kids to see them. He spoke about having difficulty understanding why his mom falls asleep in the middle of talking, which she continues to do during their weekly contact.  He added that if he and his sister needed anything, his Grandma usually took care of it and not his mother. So much expression from such a young boy!

Foster children can experience an entirely new way of life.

In comparison, Jamal reported that his foster parents are nice and want him to do well in school and have schedules for eating and sleeping. He understands that discipline and rules are necessary for teaching him good behavior and that discipline is always done with love. He says he usually gets in trouble when he doesn't listen or fights with his sister, but his foster mom doesn't hit him. He likes going to church and feels connected to the entire foster family. He also likes how the family laughs and plays with him and his sister.

Recently, Jamal's case manager explained how family case decisions are made. He had questions about who would decide who he gets to live with. At ten years old, he clearly understands that considering permanency is complicated. He knows that his mom has requirements for successful reunification, which is different from just wanting him and his sister back. His case manager continues to be impressed by the boy's maturity and resilience.

Jamal said he felt good after telling his mom his feelings, and he feels ready to speak to the court, too, if he has a chance. He was glad his mom wasn't too mad at him, but he felt terrible that she was sad. The case manager explained the role of a GAL, Guardian ad Litem, to Jamal and how it would be beneficial to have a conversation with her ahead of the next hearing. He said that he would still like to have his mom and the rest of his family a part of his life, but he doesn’t want to go back to living with his mom and wants to stay where he is.

Foster mom was surprised by the conversation.

When Susan (foster mom) learned what Jamal told his mother, she was surprised. Susan was unaware that Jamal planned to speak with his mom about being adopted. She knew it had been on his mind for a while but thought it was too early to talk about it with her. Susan planned to follow up and talk with him to process how he felt. She added that it would be beneficial for Jamal to get therapy again. Susan also said Jamal doesn’t talk about his previous foster care experiences, but the GAL has commented that he seems much happier in their home than in past homes.

Susan received information that Jamal's mother has not yet completed her task to enroll Jamal in therapy and that now he may be put on a waitlist. The provider attempted to reach his mom by phone and sent paperwork two weeks ago with no return contact. Lack of response from the kid's mom is a continued problem.

Jamal's mother asked if the Christmas get-together could be rescheduled, but the foster family could not accommodate the request but suggested an alternative date in January. Jamal's older sister stopped by the house briefly after Christmas for about 15 minutes. The quick visit went well. The rescheduled January date did not occur because Jamal's mom reported having car trouble. She again asked Susan if another date could be arranged. Susan was hesitant because she didn't want her to be a "no show" again. They decided to wait until the next scheduled family visit to celebrate Christmas. Jamal questioned his mom's reason for canceling and said, "she always tells people she has car trouble."

Foster kids must know it is okay to talk about their feelings.

Jamal is anxious to see his mom in person to ensure that she isn't mad about him wanting to be adopted. He told his case manager that he was afraid she didn't want to see him anymore because of what he said. He said sometimes he wishes he didn't tell her. The case manager reassured him that his mom loves him very much and that it was ok to talk about our feelings.

Jamal has regularly scheduled meetings each week with his mentor. He will start karate in February, and it will run two nights a week for six weeks. He is looking forward to the class. Susan continues to work with Jamal on smooth morning routines. She also encourages Jamal to resist feeling that he is his sister's caretaker. This has been difficult for Jamal, but progress is being made.

Jamal is looking forward to the next scheduled visit with his mom and hopes she doesn't cancel or not show up again.

There are hundreds of Wisconsin children like Jamal who need loving foster parents. Qualify to become a foster parent and change a child's life like Jamal.

All identifying information are altered to protect the privacy of children.

 

 

Wisconsin Foster Care Crisis Continues

The Wisconsin foster care crisis continues as we enter 2020. The plea for Wisconsin foster parents is desperate as more and more children and sibling groups enter foster care. Although the national Families First initiative is bringing some relief, sibling sets and groups of 3, 4 and more come into care regularly, mostly due to statewide drug abuse. Thankfully, 100% of our foster parents are willing to foster more than one child at a time. But what happens when we just can't seem to recruit new foster parents? what happens when we don't have an available home? As was the case a few weeks back when we did not have a foster home for 2-year-old twins!

There was not a foster home available for twin toddlers!

Hard to believe isn't it? When we posted this on our Facebook page, it went mini-viral. Over 3,000 people saw our post and the reactions and comments were as we expected.

Oh my gosh, I would take them in a heartbeat.

I wish I had the space in my home.

I am a licensed with my county and have no placements. Can I take them?

What county are they in? I can help.

Comments came in from all over the state. As expected, many of the reactions came from frustrated county foster parents with beds available in their homes. Many folks were willing to help and others were sad they could not.

Messages poured in from Wisconsin women interested in learning more, requesting information, and asking how they could help. We quickly responded to each in the hope that one would follow up and qualify as a prospective foster parent. That was 3 weeks ago, sadly none of those folks have followed up. We go through dry spells often so it does not surprise us when our inbox and mailbox remain empty. We remain hopeful.

Not one foster care application returned in 3 months!

Not one application returned to us between October to early January. We receive messages, emails, and calls every day from folks all over Wisconsin that are interested in learning about how to become a foster parent. Many are interested in information, some are ready to begin the application process, and others are looking to transfer from their county agency. ready for foster kids

We receive over 400 inquiries each year. Of those inquiries:

Less than 15% request a foster care application. Less than 1/3 will complete and return it.

Thinking about foster care and taking the leap to actually become a licensed foster parent are miles apart from one another. There is so much to learn and so much information to gather that many families are simply scared away from the process. Which is why at Community Care Resources we don't make prospective foster parents sit through a generic orientation session nor do we offer information sessions that gloss over the highlights of being a foster parent.

We want to speak to you. We want you to get all the Wisconsin foster care answers you are looking for in a single phone conversation. Sit comfortably in your home and be confident that you are getting honest, transparent information so that you can make the best decision for you and your family. Calls with our CCR foster parent advisor last as long as they need to, usually 30-60 minutes. The call can go in many directions but always ending with every question answered.

There are 5 foster care topics we discuss in detail.

  1. CCR agency details and what foster parents can expect.
  2. The qualifications to foster with CCR.
  3. How children are referred and placed in a home.
  4. How monthly payments, medical care, and respite care are provided.
  5. The steps and process to get a license.

There are no questions off-limits. There is no information that we will not provide. We have an answer to every question a prospective foster parent can possibly think of. We love foster care questions and we love to give foster care answers.

The list goes on and on. Sure, you can get a lot of that information right here on our website but we understand that sometimes, folks who want to become a foster parent want to speak with someone directly. People want to connect and feel welcomed by a friendly voice with hundreds of Wisconsin foster care answers.

It does not matter what Wisconsin county you live in. CCR is a statewide agency and we currently have homes in 35 Wisconsin counties. Each of our homes is receiving weekly in-home visits with unmatched support services.

What happened to the 2-year-old twins with no foster home to go to?

Unfortunately, we do not know. Sadly, we are not told what happens to children when we are unable to place them in a loving home. As tragic as that sounds, imagine the toll that takes on employees. It is heartbreaking and frustrating that we just don't have enough families to meet the needs of all of the children referred to us.

When county foster agencies are unable to place kids in a county foster home (for whatever reason) they make a referral to a private agency like CCR. If we don't have the right home in the right location able to meet ALL the needs of a child or sibling group, we must turn the referral down. It is then up to the referring county as to where that child or sibling group is placed.

There are dozens of reasons why kids are referred to us and there are dozens of reasons why we are sometimes unable to place children in a loving home. At CCR our goal is to create a healing environment for a child. We are building healthy relationships so that placements are successful and kids can heal from trauma. Often times, we are creating forever families through foster to adopt options.

If you have a flexible schedule that allows for weekly appointments, unplanned interruptions, and availability around school schedules, we would love to speak with you. If you are a current foster parent with your county or another agency and feeling frustrated, contact us and allow us to answer your questions. We love to provide details and honest answers.

Is foster parenting for you and your family? In less than 4 months you could be trained, licensed, and loving kids while helping them heal from their trauma. If you have an interest in learning more about foster to adopt options, let us know.

Call Jane at 800-799-0450

GET YOUR FOSTER LICENSE IN 100 DAYS! Homes for kids 10-18 are desperately needed.