Thank you for your interest in adopting, fostering or both!

Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption

Requirements to become a foster parent:

• Complete 14 hours of training;
• Complete a foster care application;
• Undergo a criminal background check;
• Provide copies of birth certificates and, if applicable, marriage licenses and/or divorce; decrees (other personal documents may also be requested);
• Provide three references;
• Submit current medical reports; and
• Pass fire and health department inspections.

Guidelines to adopt:

• U.S. Citizenship;
• Must be of legal age;
• Can be married or not married;
• Have a reasonable income;
• Have enough living space ( but this does not mean that you have to live in a house);
• Should be in good health and able to parent children;
• Must provide a wholesome environment; and
• Complete the foster parent requirements, too (yes, they are for adopting, too).

Download Informative brochures and helpful forms.

Do you have questions? Please call or email us!

Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?

In the State of South Carolina, it does not cost to foster.

In the State of South Carolina, it does not cost to adopt a child who is waiting in SC foster care if your agency is the department of social services.

If you choose a private agency to adopt through, they may charge fees. If you adopt a child who is waiting in foster care in another state, you may be charged fees. However, when families adopt children who are in foster care and eligible for subsidy, the families may be eligible for reimbursement of some adoption-related costs, such as attorney’s fees and court fees, through the child’s state and/or federal options.

Many families choose low-cost or no-cost options every year.

Parent Support Groups

SC COAC – SC Council on Adoptable Children

www.sc-adopt.org

Monthly Support Group and Lending Library

(803) 256-2622

schildren@sc.rr.com

ACES- Adoption Coalition for Education and Support

www.aceskids.org

(864) 322-2495

info@aceskids.org

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

Orientation: The Training Institute for Foster and Adoptive Parents (TIFAP)

• Sponsored by South Carolina Department of Social Services & The Center for Child and Family Studies, College of Social Work @ University of South Carolina.
• Beginning in January 2004, TIFAP will be offering training to all SC Department-of-Social-Services-licensed foster and approved adoptive parents.
• Classes will be offered in Charleston, Columbia, Horry and Greenville.
• Pre-registration is Required.
• Persons interested in registering for classes should contact Beverly Ingram, Director, TIFAP, either by telephone at (803) 777-0382 or by email at beverly.ingram@sc.edu.

Agencies:

To find your Department of Social Services office, please contact us.

Call DSS at (803) 898-7318.

Visit the South Carolina Department of Social Services website to view information about adoption and foster care services.

County by county contact information for DSS offices.

Nonprofit or Private Agencies:

Licensed nonprofit or private agencies in South Carolina include:

Information on Children

There are 4,757 children in foster care in South Carolina; 1,819 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.