Contact Information
Dept. of Health and Human Services
Ann Abram
(603) 271-4711
aabram@dhhs.state.nh.us
Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption
Whether you plan to look into adoption or foster care, applicants will need to attend the 21 hour “FACES” training class series and the additional three-hour FACES to Faces Celebration class. Each class is three hours long and offered in the evenings. Sometimes, they are doubled up on Saturdays and occasionally, a daytime class series is offered. View FACES training information and course schedule.
Adoption Qualifications
You could make a wonderful adoptive parent if you...
- Are at least 21-years-old
- Are single, married, divorced or widowed
- Own or rent
- Have parenting experience or none at all
- Already have children in your home or not
If you meet these basic qualifications then you're off to a great start!
More foster care and adoption information.
The Foster Process in Brief
People just like you look into and become foster or adoptive parents every day. When you attend required training classes, you will meet some of these people and hear their stories.
Your foster care worker will help you learn more about fostering and adoption and guide you through the process.
Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?
No.
You will pay for fingerprinting when you complete your background check, but you will be reimbursed when you become licensed to foster or adopt.
Families complete a home safety inspection.
Parent Support Groups
Foster-adoption support groups are available in most of the 12 areas of the state where DCYF has offices. These can be accessed through the DCYF foster care worker covering your area. Please call or email me for more information.
If you would like to learn more about the NH Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, please go to our website to: www.nhfapa.org.
Agency Contact and Orientation Information
View a list of licensed child placing agencies, including the NH Division for Children, Youth and Families.
Information on Children
There are 1,178 children in foster care in New Hampshire; 272 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.
The children in New Hampshire’s public child welfare system range in age from birth to 18.
2009 Sustainable Respite Mini-Grant Awarded
The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids in partnership with NACAC (North American Council on Adoptable Children) has awarded 1 of the 20 mini-grants to the New Hampshire Foster & Adoptive Association who will partner with the New Hampshire Division for Children Youth & Families to improve the availability of and excellence in respite care.
Strong respite care programs require community involvement and partnerships. Such programs are the most effective way to assure that respite care will be available to families for years to come.