Foster Care Agencies in Louisiana [Are They Right For You?]
What to Know About Foster Agencies in Louisiana
There is more than one way to grow your family through adoption in Louisiana. If adoption is the path you’re taking, you can choose from:
For families you are looking to adopt a child in the U.S., you may be wondering what the difference is between adoption through a foster care agency in Louisiana and domestic infant adoption?
You’ve come to the right place.
We created this guide with you in mind, to discuss the differences between these types of adoption, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each type. We also provide information about how you can learn more about foster care agencies in Louisiana if this option feels best to you.
Keep reading to learn more. You can also contact us online to speak with an experienced adoption specialist.
What are Foster Care Agencies in Louisiana?
A foster care facility in Louisiana is an organization that operates within the foster care system for the Louisiana state government, working with families looking to foster children or foster-to-adopt.
Although foster care is a wonderful and rewarding way to help a child and to build your family, adopting from a fostering agency in Louisiana can be unpredictable.
When a child’s home environment becomes unsafe or unstable, the child is removed from that home and placed into foster care. Ultimately, the goal of foster care is reuniting the child with their biological family once the home environment improves.
In many cases, reunification is not possible between the child and their family. When this happens, the child becomes eligible for adoption.
Because of the unpredictability of foster care and working with foster care agencies in Louisiana, there is no way to guarantee that a child you are fostering temporarily will be able to be adopted. The child may end up eventually be reunited with their family. While this is a positive thing, it can make it difficult to deal with when you want to bring a permanent new member into your family.
Any of the following departments and foster care centers in Louisiana can help you learn more:
Domestic Adoption Agencies vs Foster Care Adoption Agencies in Louisiana? [Weighing Pros and Cons]
If you’re leaning towards the foster care adoption path, there are important pros and cons that should be considered before you start working with a fostering agency in Louisiana. These include:
Wait Times
Private Adoption Through Our Agency: average of 12 months.
Foster Care Adoption: Immediately to 5 years, depending on each situation
For any adoption, there are specific details that can impact your wait times, even when you're going through a foster care adoption. Because of this, many families who want to adopt a newborn child tend to choose private adoption, as those wait times are often shorter than with a foster agency in Louisiana.
Costs
Private Adoption: $45,000-$65,000
Foster Care Adoption: Cost of home study, your time, and legal fees
An adoption through a foster agency in Louisiana can cost almost nothing, with the exception of a few requirements that must be met. Between an adoption from a foster parent agency in Louisiana and an adoption from a private agency, the amount you pay could be the tipping point in your decision.
Child Age
Private Adoption: Infancy
Foster Care Adoption: Infant to 18 years old
Generally, children in foster care agencies in Louisiana are older. If you know you want to foster or adopt a child who is older than an infant, working a foster care center in Louisiana could be the right option for you.
Is Foster Care Right For Me? [Adoption is Always an Option]
Adopting a child through a foster care facility in Louisiana can be a wonderful gift for you and for a child in need. If foster care adoption sounds like the right choice for you, any of these resources can help you get started on your journey:
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.