There are many paths you can take and agencies to reach out to when it comes to adoption. And, even though we are a private domestic infant adoption agency, we understand this journey is unique for everyone. For some prospective birth mothers and hopeful adoptive families, a private adoption agency is not always the best choice.

At American Adoptions, it is our goal to help you find the type of adoption that is best suited for your life, especially if you are deciding between a private adoption agency and a foster care agency in Georgia.

To get more information on the best foster care agencies in Georgia or learn more about private domestic infant adoption, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION or complete our free online form to connect with a professional today.

How Is Foster Care Different From Infant Adoption?

Understanding how foster care adoption differs from domestic infant adoption in Georgia is vital before you consider working with a foster care agency in Georgia. Here are a few unique aspects of the foster care system:

• A child’s reunification with their biological parents is the eventual goal. 

• Adoption after fostering a child is possible if a judge ends parental rights. 

• Foster care typically involves older children, sibling pairs or children with special needs. 

We created this guide to help address:

• What foster care agencies in Georgia are

• The difference between private adoption agencies and foster care agencies

• Why foster care may be the right choice for you

• And more.

What is Foster Care? [Where to Find the Best Foster Care Agencies in Georgia]

Foster care adoption can be a wonderful way to start or grow your family.

The purpose of foster care is to provide a child with a safe, temporary home while a state judge decides whether a child’s biological parents can parent them again. The initial goal is to reunite the child with their biological parents.

A judge will present the biological parents with a reunification plan, which, if met, means they can regain parental rights and bring their child home. This is the most common outcome.

But, in some cases, if the parents don’t meet the specific guidelines for reunification, the judge can end the parental rights for reasons that may have put the child in foster care in the first place, such as:          

• Neglect 

• Parental substance abuse

• Physical abuse 

• And more

Following termination of parental rights, the foster family can then pursue foster-to-adopt. As the name implies, the family can then adopt the child they have been fostering. But, if the foster family decides against that, the child remains with the state until there is a willing adoptive family. 

If fostering a child is an option you would like to explore, contact one of the foster care agencies in Georgia below:

• Georgia AGAPE

• GCAC of Georgia

• FaithBridge Foster Care

To find specific information on a foster care provider in Georgia, start with the National Foster Care and Adoption Directory Search or the Division of Family and Children Services website.

Services Foster Care Agencies in Georgia Offer

Most of the time, services vary depending on the foster care agency itself. But frequently, a foster care agency in Georgia will offer parenting classes, or “preservice” training, that hopeful adoptive parents may be required to attend.

Additionally, any foster care agency in Georgia you work with should help you to complete a parent profile, which gives your caseworker a glimpse of your life as well as your interests in foster care.

A home study is another important service foster care agencies in Georgia offer. This is a necessary — and often lengthy — step to bringing a child into your home.

So, how do foster care agencies in Georgia, and the services they provide, differ from private adoption agencies? Let’s find out.

Private Adoption Agencies vs. Foster Care Agencies in Georgia

One is not necessarily better than the other. It does depend on your unique situation, though.

Foster care agencies in Georgia are public adoption agencies. One of the biggest differences between private pregnant adoption agencies and foster care agencies in Georgia is the child’s placement.

A foster care agency in Georgia acts on behalf of the state government to coordinate its foster care system. They work with both the families hoping to foster children and the families hoping to adopt from foster care.

Some other key differences between private adoption agencies and foster care agencies in Georgia include the following:

• Wait times

• Adoptee’s age

• Adoption cost

• And more

American Adoptions encourages adoptive couples deciding between each type of adoption to research and find what is comfortable for them before making a decision.

Georgia has the following foster care requirements for potential adoptive parents:

• Be at least 10 years older than the child

• If single, be at least 25 years old

• Complete a two-hour information session

• Successfully complete preservice IMPACT Family-Centered Practice training

• Complete a medical exam, fingerprint checks, and child welfare and criminal records checks/screenings

• Provide proof of current residence and financial stability

While we only work in private adoptions, we would be happy to answer questions about our adoption program and process.

Advantages of Adopting Through a Foster Care Agency in Georgia

When deciding between a private adoption agency and a foster care agency in Georgia, you might consider the pros and cons of adopting a child from a foster care agency in Georgia. Below are some benefits they provide.

Less Chance of an Adoption Disruption

If a child is available for adoption through a foster care agency in Georgia then their parents have already lost their parental rights. This means the parents cannot gain back custody of the child, and the child will remain in foster care until a family is willing to adopt or until the child turns 18 years old.

Less Expensive than Private Adoption

Private domestic adoption can cost around $50,000 or more for adoptive parents. This typically includes the costs of:

• Living and medical expenses

• Adoption fees

• Counseling and support

• And more

For foster care, prospective parents typically pay for fees like medical exams and drug screens, but these are reimbursable. The entire adoption process when adopting through a foster care agency in Georgia should only cost around $1,500.

Helps Reduce the Number of Children Searching for Forever Homes

As of August 2021, there were about 11,900 children in foster care for the state of Georgia alone. In the United States, there are about 400,000 children in the foster care system.

Disadvantages of Adopting Through a Foster Care Agency in Georgia

While we believe the benefits of growing your family through foster care agencies in Georgia outweigh the potential negatives, there are still possible cons. These include:

Emotional Challenges Parting with the Child

As it is the goal of the foster care system to reunite a child with their parents, there is never a guarantee a child you agree to foster will be able to permanently join your home. It isn’t until the court revokes the parents’ rights that a child can be available for adoption.

Possible Special Attention or Counseling

Counseling can cost time and some money. Spending months to years in the foster care system can be emotionally taxing for a child, and more likely than not, they have experienced some difficulties before getting there that they may have to work through. However, we should note that many states provide grants or other financial support for foster parents.

Final Thoughts

Adopting a child through foster care, no matter what type of foster agency you use, can be a beautiful gift for a child and can be another way to start or grow your family.

You can get more answers to any of your foster care questions and a better understanding of the benefits of foster care agencies in Georgia when you visit the following resources:

• Considering Adoption

• Adoptive Families

• AdoptUsKids

• FosterCare.com

If you’re interested in adopting through a foster care agency in Georgia, you can view foster children for adoption on a Georgia foster care adoption photo listing. 

And for more information about private infant adoption, we encourage you to fill out our online contact form or speak to one of our experienced specialists at 1-800-ADOPTION.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.