BENEFITS OF ADOPTION BENEFITS TO ADOPT Support Available to Adoptive Parents Adoption subsidy payments may be available to parents adopting children with special needs. "Special Needs" refers to those children in foster care who meet one or more of the following criteria: The child is at least eight years old The child is mentally handicapped The child is physically handicapped The child is emotionally handicapped The child is black or has racially mixed heritage The child is a member of a sibling group being placed for adoption as a single unit Additional Support Available for Adoptive Parents Medical assistance may be available for the child through age 18. Most expenses related to the adoption (such as court costs and attorney fees) are eligible for reimbursement by the State of Florida. The State reimburses up to $1,000 for adoption finalization fees. Children adopted from the SCC are eligible to receive up to four years of paid college tuition at Florida universities, colleges or vocational programs. Support groups for families awaiting an adoptive match may be available in your county. In addition, other community-based support groups and services may be available. FAQ's ON ADOPTION WHO CAN BE AN ADOPTIVE PARENT? Individuals who are willing to support a special child and are able to offer their time, attention and understanding to that child. Adoptive parents may be young or older; single, married, divorced or widowed; or with or without children of their own (perhaps an "empty-nester" or retiree). Adoptive parents must complete Florida's FREE standardized parenting training course known as "MAPP" (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting), pass background screenings and complete a home study. A family's annual income isn't as important as their ability to open their hearts and homes to be a "forever family" to a special child. WHAT KIND OF CHILDREN ARE IN NEED OF ADOPTIVE FAMILIES? Children seeking adoption are no different than children with families - only they lack the love and support offered by caring, loving parents. These children's ages range from birth to 17 years and they may be part of a sibling or minority group or have special needs. While many of our foster teens have experienced multiple rejections and are hesitant to try adoption, it is important for them to have a "forever family" to help through their remaining adolescence and to be supportive into their adult years - family ties do not end at age 18. HOW LONG DOES THE ENTIRE ADOPTION PROCESS TAKE? In most cases, the adoption application process generally takes from 8 to 12 months to complete. IS ADOPTING A CHILD EXPENSIVE? In Florida, all children classified as "special needs" are adoptable by a qualifying family with little or no cost. In most cases, all major expenses related to the adoption - for example court costs and attorney fees - are reimbursed by the State of Florida under their guidelines. In addition, most children adopted are eligible to receive up to four years of paid college tuition at Florida universities, colleges or vocational programs. WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE ADOPTION IS FINALIZED? Once finalized in a Florida Court of Law, the child becomes a permanent member of the adoptive family, affording parents all rights and responsibilities that would come with a biological birth child. DOES THE ADOPTED CHILD OR FAMILY RECEIVE ANY BENEFITS OR ASSISTANCE? Children and their adoptive families receive support from SCC adoption staff that may include referrals for individual therapy, support groups or family counseling. In many cases, the adoptive family may be eligible to receive a monthly adoption subsidy payment (the State of Florida offers a monthly subsidy for the continued care of special needs children). Most children are eligible to receive free medical health insurance and - with minimal qualification - four years of paid college tuition at a State-funded college or university. WILL I RECEIVE HISTORICAL INFORMATION ON THE CHILD I ADOPT? You will be given the child's foster care history including the circumstances involving his/her removal, medical history including birth/delivery information, any assessments or evaluation completed and the child's current daily regimen. Family history is also provided. This information is provided in the form of an adoptive Child Study.