Thank you for considering becoming a foster parent and/or adopting from foster care in the state of Nevada.

Contact Information

The Adoption Exchange

Sharon Feeney

(702) 436-6335

sharon@adoptex.org

Para información en español, contacte:

Ari Medecki

(702) 436-6335

ari@adoptex.org

Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption

Qualifications:

• Have sufficient income to cover your financial needs.
• You must be a legal resident.
• Ability to provide a loving, supportive environment for children.
• You must be 21 years of age (for adoption you must also be 10 years older than the child).
• You may be single, married, divorced, or widowed.
• Must be of good character (i.e., Record of arrests/convictions may prevent licensing. Please ask us about this.)

If you have a spouse or partner they are also required to participate in the homestudy process and attend all trainings.

Homestudy requirements are as follows:

• Complete Application
• References from people who know you well
• Law enforcement/child abuse/neglect screenings and fingerprint clearances
• Interviews and home visits with a social/case worker
• Physical examination for applicant and household members
• Discussion on types of children available and applicant’s preferences

Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?

If you work with your local county, there is no fee to foster.

If you work with your local county, there is no fee to adopt a child from Nevada foster care.

If you work with your local county and adopt a child from another state, there may be a fee, but you can talk to the child’s state to see if they will reimburse you.

Private agencies provide adoption licensing services for a fee of $4,200 - $13,000.

Parent Support Groups

View a list of Adoptive Parent Support Groups in Nevada.

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

Orientation:

If you are brand new to the adoption process, it is highly recommended that you attend The Adoption Exchange’s Adoption Information Class, which is offered the second Tuesday of every month.

Agencies:

View a list of licensed private placement agencies in Nevada.

Foster and Adoption Services Through County Agencies

Each county or area has their own orientation schedule so please check with the appropriate county or area for information.

Clark County

Department of Family Services

701K N. Pecos

Las Vegas, NV 89101

(702) 455-0181

Washoe County

Department of Social Services

Child Care Services

350 South Center St.

Reno, NV 89520

(775) 337-4470

State of Nevada (all other counties)

Department of Health and Human Services

The Division of Child and Family Services

1572 E. College Parkway, Suite 161

Carson City, NV 89705

1-888-423-2659

Information on Children

There are 4,670 children in foster care in Nevada; 1,211 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.