Chrysalis House's fost/adopt program matches waiting families with children from the California foster care system. When a child is not able to reunify with their biological family, an adoption plan may be ordered so that the child can have a permanent and loving family. Children available for adoption are of varying ages, ethnicities, and come from many different types of family dynamics.
The foster-to-adopt process helps connect children who need a permanent family with adoptive parents. While similar to foster care, fost/adopt is different because the intent is to provide a permanent home, rather than a temporary one. These children have special needs for which a prospective adoptive parent must provide - and are not just food and shelter. Rather, their needs include support, encouragement, reassurance, self-esteem, self-worth, and most importantly, love.
Foster-to-adopt parents provide a ray of hope in a world otherwise shadowed by issues that are dangerous to the child's physical and mental health. Abuse, neglect, abandonment, and parental substance abuse histories are just some of the reasons that result in a child being removed from his or her biological home. Understandably, the child is often afraid, angry, confused, and heart-broken from the events that led to their removal. While it is true that some children will have higher needs due to their trauma history, most children are resilient and are able to learn healthier coping skills with time and patience. Families can define which adoption opportunities might work for their family, including the level of legal risk, child's age, gender, race, and medical background. Preapproval training will also provide caregivers with knowledge, skills, and abilities, so that they may parent their child in a way that is inclusive with their race, ethnic group identification, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability or health status. Chrysalis House does empower families to parent with affirmation and acceptance, always safeguarding a child's personal rights.
During the fost/adopt process, you are considered a Resource Family for a minimum of six months, while your family and child stabilize in your life together. You will receive monthly or weekly visits from your social worker, who will promptly address needs and supply feedback and support. Once all juvenile dependency court processes have been satisfied, families are able to finalize their adoptions, making the child a permanent part of your family.
RFA Portability Program: Chrysalis House, Inc. works with families who wish to port their current RFA certification to a more adoption focused agency. We position ourselves to address all portability requests in a thoughtful way and will explore your timeline and expectations. Please contact Megan to inquire about our Portability Program.