Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption

Here is information from the Am I Ready to Be a Foster/Adoptive Parent? page of DSS' website that we think will really help you.

Circle “T” for true or “F” for false, for each statement below. This questionnaire will help you to determine if you are eligible to become a Foster and/or Adoptive Parent:

1. I have enough room in my home for a child. T/F

You must have adequate bedroom space for a child. A child may share a bedroom with another child of the same sex, but the child cannot share a bedroom with anyone over the age of 18 years old.

2. I am ready to complete a safety inspection of my home. T/F

It is important that your home is safe and free of hazards. During the home study process, your Home Development Worker will conduct a safety inspection of your home. You must have working smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher.

3. I am in good physical, emotional and mental health. T/F

Being a parent can sometimes be demanding. You must be healthy and emotionally stable to care for children. Everyone in your home must provide a medical statement completed by a physician indicating they are free of communicable diseases (ex. tuberculosis).

4. I have never had a valid case with an agency due to abuse or neglect. T/F

If you have had a valid Child Protection case, you may not be able to become a Foster or Adoptive Parent. We will review records in LA, as well as any other state where you have resided.

5. I have adequate income to meet my current family’s needs. T/F

You do not have to be rich to become a Foster or Adoptive Parent; however, you must have enough income to meet your own family’s needs. During the home study process, you will be asked to provide proof of income and to review family expenses.

6. I am legally single or legally married. T/F

Foster or Adoptive Parents can be single, married, divorced or widowed.

7. No adult in my home has ever been convicted of a crime. T/F

If you or any adult residing in your home has been convicted of certain criminal offenses, you cannot become a Foster or Adoptive Parent.

If you are worried after completing this little questionnaire, please contact us. Remember: You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent!

Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?

No, it does not cost to foster.

Thousands of families adopt for no cost or very little cost. The Office of Community Services (OCS) does not charge fees, but if you choose a private agency, they may charge fees. Call the individual agencies below or contact us to find out more.

Parent Support Groups

From Child Welfare Information Gateway:

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO)

Metairie, LA 70002-4714

F.A.I.R. Visions, Inc. (Foster Adoptive Information Resources)

Monroe, LA 71202

Louisiana Adoption Advisory Board, Inc. (LAAB)

Lafayette, LA 70505

Louisiana Foster and Adoptive Parent Association

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

Natchitoche River

Provencal, LA 71468

Pride and Hope Ministry Adoptive Parent Support Group

Angie, LA 70426

St. Elizabeth Foundation (SEF)

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans, Inc. - Adoption and Maternity Services

New Orleans, LA 70119

Volunteers of America of North Louisiana

Shreveport, LA 71101

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

Agencies:

View a list of OCS offices.

Orientation is conducted by the local OCS in each region. Orientations are informational sessions designed to answer prospective parents' basic questions and to guide them through the process of fostering and adopting. Orientations are held every 21 days. Call your local OCS office to find the next session in your area.

To learn more about a private agency, including information on their orientations, please contact the individual agencies below:

Information on Children

There are 4,787 children in foster care in Louisiana; 653 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.

Remember that while you may be a resident of Louisiana, you are not limited to adopting a child from Louisiana. You can adopt a child born in Louisiana or a child born in any other U.S. state. What is important for you to understand is that children are available for adoption in Louisiana and in each of the other the 49 states.

View more information about Louisiana adoption.

Upcoming Events

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