We are happy that you are interested in opening your heart and your home to a child. There are so many children who need families, not only in Delaware, but everywhere in our country. We look forward to talking with you about fostering and/or adopting. Please give us a call!
Contact Information
Delaware Dept. of Services for Children, Youth and Families
Karen Watchorn
(302) 451-2800, Ext. 3389
Margaret.Watchorn@state.de.us
Para información en español, contacte:
Aida Torres
(302) 633-2724
Aida.Torres@state.de.us
Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption
You can see all the requirements to foster and adopt on the State of Delaware website.
View Foster Care Information: includes general information, requirements for fostering, frequently asked questions and supports for foster parents.
View Adoption Information: includes an explanation of the entire adoption process.
Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?
In Delaware, there is no charge to become a foster parent. If a family is licensed to adopt through their local Division of Family Services office and then adopts a child they are fostering, there is not a charge.
All other adoption in Delaware is done through private agencies. The State Division of Family Services (DFS) has a contract with five Delaware agencies to provide services to families who are interested in adopting children from foster care. Those agencies are not paid by the state for the homestudy until a child is placed in the home.
Consequently, some agencies may charge the family up front and reimburse them after placement of the child in their home. However, all agencies are open to discussing financial issues individually with families and if this is an issue, fees are usually waived so the family can move forward.
If a family is licensed by one of the agencies in Delaware and then adopts a child who is in foster care in another state, the family may be charged upfront. They may or may not be reimbursed by the child’s state. However, when families adopt children who are in foster care and eligible for subsidy, the families may be eligible for reimbursement of limited nonrecurring adoption-related costs through federal options.
Parent Support Groups
Adoptive Parents of Adolescent and Emotionally Challenging Children
Meets the second Friday of each month at the UCP Center, 700-A River Road, Wilmington, DE, 19809.
Contact: Mary Lou Edgar
2610 Northgate Road
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 764-1980
adoptdel@verison.net
Adoptive Families with Information and Support
Meets the third Thursday of alternate months (January, March, May, July, September and November) at Simpson Methodist Church, 907 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE, 19805.
Contact: Mary Jo Wolfe
P.O. Box 7405
Wilmington, DE 19803-7405
(302) 239-6232
afisdelaware@comcast.net
Agency Contact and Orientation Information
Orientation Information:
Sussex Orientation and PRIDE Trainings 2009
Kent Orientation and PRIDE Training 2009
New Castle County Orientation and PRIDE Trainings for Jan - June 2009
Delaware is a very small state, so some agencies don’t have regular orientation and training dates. They keep a list of interested families and provide meetings when they have a large enough group.
Foster Care:
The State of Delaware Division of Family Services conducts regular orientation meetings regarding fostering. They are still in the process of developing a calendar for 2008; however, information about those meeting will be posted as it is received.
Adoption:
Bethany Christian Services schedules information meetings for prospective adoptive parents. For a schedule of meetings, information, and to register, call 1-800-215-0702.
Foster Care and/or Adoption:
Children and Families First holds orientation meetings each month. To inquire or register, please call (302) 658-5177.
Agency Contact Information:
To find your local Division of Family Services office, please contact:
DSCYF Foster Care Contact Information
1825 Faulkland Rd
Wilmington, DE 19805
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm
New Castle County: (302) 451-2800
Kent County: (302) 739-4800
Sussex County: (302) 422-1400
or call 1-800-464-4357
foster_care.dscyf@state.de.us
DSCYF Adoption Contact Information
1825 Faulkland Rd
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 633-2655
adoption.dscyf@state.de.us
To use a private agency for foster care, please contact:
For any of these agencies, make sure the agency has a contract with the Division of Family Services.
To use a private agency for adoption, please contact:
For any of these agencies, make sure the agency has a contract with the Division of Family Services.
Information on Children
We have over 1,000 children waiting in foster care in Delaware. Many of these children are able to return to their birth parents or are adopted by relatives or their foster parents.
Presently, the state is recruiting for adoptive families for about 100 of the children. These boys and girls are primarily over the age of 8 and have a wide variety of strengths and positive attributes. Keep in mind that they have had some very traumatic experiences and they sometimes struggle – as anyone would – with adjusting to a new family.