If you are hoping to adopt a child to grow your family, you might be thinking about using the foster system to work toward that goal. And, it’s true – foster to adopt in California is a popular path that has been followed by many families over the years. The outcome in these cases can be a good one for all involved, but it’s important to understand what the timeline looks like and how the process may play out. Let’s take a closer look at this below. 

Understanding the Basics Steps

If you are hoping to foster to adopt in California, you should first know the basics of what is required to move through this process. First, you’ll need to be licensed as a foster parent. There are a number of stages to the licensing process, including going through training, having a home evaluation, and more. 

Once you are a foster parent, you will have placements who come to live in your home for a period of time. Many of these placements will not be eligible for adoption as the system works to reunify them with their family, if at all possible. Once it is determined that reunification is not going to be possible, the child may then become available for adoption. 

A Varied Timeline

Unfortunately, there is no one timeline that can be followed for every single foster to adopt in California case. Generally, the system moves rather slowly, and it can be frustrating at times for people who want to have the adoption become official as soon as possible. However, if you are willing to be patient and follow the steps that need to be taken, it’s possible that an adoption could be completed within one to three years. There is no guarantee that an adoption will become possible for the children you foster, but this is an outcome that is realized by many people.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, contact Children First Foster Family Agency or apply to become a resource parent. 

Children First FFA is a private, non-profit organization in Northern California that is dedicated to helping change lives by providing a safe place for children to heal in a culture of love, acceptance, and consistency.