Growing up, Naomi never knew when her next meal would be or if the roof they were living under would last long. In 2008, the summer before Naomi entered sixth grade, she joined DABSJ's mentoring program as a mentee.
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Each adoption journey is unique, but they are all filled with love. If you are looking to add to your family through adoption, we are here to support you.
Children in this program are in Michigan’s foster care system due to abuse or neglect.
The Foster Care Adoption Program identifies loving and permanent families for children in Michigan’s foster care system. These children are legally free for adoption and are many times older children.
After a period of time in foster care with the goal of reunification with their parents, the children’s parents’ rights have been terminated and they are now available for adoption. Our primary need is for families who are able to care for older children (8 and up), large sibling groups (3 or more where at least one child is over 8), or medically fragile children. Some of these children may display moderate to severe mental health and behavioral needs.
The adoption specialist is involved in the thoughtful and deliberate process of selecting families for children and assisting the family and child with the transition to the adoptive home. Once the child is in the adoptive home, the adoption specialist provides support and referral services.
Part of the adoption specialist's role is to prepare the children and families for adoption. To achieve this, the adoption worker thoroughly assesses each child’s history and needs to determine the best type of family to meet his/her needs. The family will complete an application packet and be assigned to an adoption specialist who will complete a family assessment/home study.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Attend information meeting - 2nd Monday of every month
- Fill out an application
- Schedule interviews with our staff both at your home and our offices
- Work with the agency to complete criminal and protective services history checks
- Complete foster parent training
*This is not a complete list of steps to becoming a foster parent. It typically takes about 6 months to be fully licensed. Email us at gro.jsbad@ofnitnerapretsof with additional questions.
The State of Michigan does not require that all Adoptive Families become licensed foster parents; however, it is necessary for many children.
- The children and families’ transition to adoption is smoother when families foster their intended children first.
- When a child first moves into the home for foster care, the child brings a higher level of support and services with him/her.
- Children age 14 and older are legally required to consent to their own adoptions and they need time with their families before they consent to adoption.
- When children cannot return home to their birth parents, it is better for them to be adopted by their foster parents to avoid unnecessary moves and losses later on.
- The majority of adoption workers assigned to waiting children on MARE will only consider pre-adoptive families that are licensed.
- When a family that wants to adopt is already licensed, it allows the child to move to the home sooner. This avoids the need for interim placements, thus reducing the number of moves for children.
- Provide a safe, clean, loving, and secure home
- Monitor the child’s schoolwork
- Coordinate with the child’s social worker for visits with the child’s parents and provide or arrange transportation to counseling appointments, if needed
- Become educated and trauma-informed to provide the best care and help the child to get the services they need to thrive
- Be committed to the child in your care and ensuring that they feel safe, secure, and accepted every day
D.A. Blodgett - St. John’s provides all the training and assessment services in order to become licensed at no charge.
Pressley Ridge is the main training you will complete. The Pressley Ridge training sessions help to rebuild communities and families who are facing difficult challenges and complex situations. The ultimate goal is to prevent or reduce a child’s trauma by ensuring they are safe and well cared for by a well-trained foster parent.
No. You may rent. Your home must be clean, safe and must always have a phone. Children of the opposite sex five years of age and older may not share a bedroom.
We accept individuals and families regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or family structure. We have licensed families that are first-time parents and experienced parents, working parents, and stay-at-home parents. All families are welcome at DABSJ.
Children adopted from the foster care system often qualify for Adoption Assistance/Subsidy. Adoption Assistance/Subsidy provides financial support to the family after adoption (and generally until age 18) that is based on the child’s special needs and on the additional efforts of the parents to meet those special needs.
Ongoing Medicaid is part of Adoption Assistance/Subsidy. D. A. Blodgett – St. John’s Adoption Specialists complete the Adoption Assistance/Subsidy application process on behalf of adoptive families.
If you are interested in speaking with a staff member about adopting a child from the foster care system, please fill out the inquiry form below. We look forward to connecting with you and getting your questions answered.
Post Adoption Support
Our Adoptive Family Support Network Program helps adoptive parents who are looking for guidance, reassurance, support, education, and resources.
Foster or Adopt
One of our greatest needs is having enough foster and adoptive parents to provide homes for the children that need our help.
More InformationTo learn more about becoming a foster parent to adopt an older child waiting for adoption, attend one of our upcoming information meetings.
There are no events at this time.
