817.792.4409 www.adoptchildren.org www.dfps.state.tx.us

North Texas RegionalPlacement Collaboration

• We are a collaboration of partner agencies that work together for the purpose of recruiting,

training, and retaining foster families.

• Each agency holds a license & contract with the Texas Department of Family and

Protective Services, and All agencies represented have access to ALL of the children in

the custody of the state.

• Every agency has a unique mission and vision, so families should carefully consider each

agency to find which is the best fit for their family.

Selecting an Agency

• Review the Child Placing Agencies Grid to narrow down a “short list” of

agencies that would be a good fit for your family

• Review the detailed profiles in the folder

• Contact the agency or agencies that appear to be the best match for your

family

• Choose One agency and then let them know that you’ve chosen to partner

with them

• Complete the Agency Selection Form (mark the One agency you chose) and

mail it to address listed on the form.

A Child’s JourneyThrough

“The System”

AdoptionAdoptionAdoptionAdoptionReunificatioReunificationn

ReunificatioReunificationn

Legal/Ongoing Foster Legal/Ongoing Foster CareCare

Legal/Ongoing Foster Legal/Ongoing Foster CareCare

Family Based Safety

Services

Family Based Safety

Services

InvestigationInvestigationInvestigationInvestigation

Community Report to

Abuse/Neglect Hotline 1-800-252-5400

Community Report to

Abuse/Neglect Hotline 1-800-252-5400

Number of Children in Foster Care and Waiting for Adoption

(as of Oct 2010)

State Total for Foster Care: 16,643

Region 3 Total for Foster Care: 2,975

State Total Legally Free for Adoption: 5,725

Region 3 Legally Free for Adoption: 961

Ethnicity of Region 3 Children in Foster Care and Waiting for Adoption

(as of Oct 2010)

White35%

Other1% Biracial

1%

African American39%

Asian1%

American Indian0%

Hispanic23%

Foster Care

• Temporary

• Goal is Reunification

• Children are in the custody of the State

• Foster families work with birth families

• Successful foster families have a support network of people who can

encourage and assist them.

Foster-to-Adopt (Dual-Licensed)

• Must approach as foster care

• Committed to plan for Reunification

• Children are in the custody of the State

• Foster families work with birth families

• Will likely care for several children before a child stays for adoption

Foster Children Receive• Insurance Coverage for Doctors, Dentists, Vision and Counseling

• Education in Neighborhood Schools

• Permission to go on Family Vacations, in country

• Reimbursement for Care provided to foster parents and intended to help

offset the cost of caring for the child

Adoption• Birth Parent’s rights have been terminated

• These are the children represented on the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange

website (www.adoptchildren.org)

• Families are selected for child(ren) based on ability to meet the needs of the child

• The child(ren) will live in the adoptive home for at least 6 months before the

adoption can be finalized in the court.

• Permanent or “Forever Family”

Children Receiving Special Recruitment

Sibling Groups of 3 (or more) children

School Age ChildrenAges 9 - 17

Children with Primary Medical Needs

Special Needs Adoption Criteria:

• 6 years or older

• Racial/ethnic minority and 2 years or older

• Placed for adoption as a sibling group

• Lifelong handicapping condition

Special Needs Families May Receive:

• Medicaid

• Monthly Subsidy

• Non-Recurring Adoption Expenses

• College Tuition and Fees at a State School and

some Vocational and Technical Schools

All Adoptive Families have access to Post Adoption

Services, including Counseling & Respite Care

• Over 21

• Single, divorced, married, or widowed

• No major life changes or challenges

within the past year

• Background checks including

electronic fingerprinting

• Pre-Service Training

• Documentation to meet Minimum

Standards and Agency Policies

• Inspections (fire & health)

• Adequate Space

• Positive Home Study

• No physical discipline

Basic RequirementsThese requirements can vary by agency—please speak with the agencies that appear to

be a good match with your family to determine their specific requirements.

• Information meeting

• Select one Agency and then let them know that you’ve chosen to

partner with them

• Complete the Agency Selection Form and mail to address on the form

• The Agency you choose will guide you through the next steps of the

verification process

Steps in the Process

THEN WHO?THEN WHO?

IF NOT YOU…IF NOT YOU…