Thank you for your interest in adoption and/or foster care. At Mission West Virginia, we are always excited to assist new families through the process. We will provide you with general information and guide you in the right direction for selecting an agency. We are a neutral agency, with no preference for one agency over another, and have information on all types of options. Good luck on your journey!

Contact Information

Mission West Virginia

Kelly Thompson

(304) 562-0723 or 866-CALL-MWV

adopt@missionwv.org

Para información en español, contacte:

Maria Madaniaga

adopt@missionwv.org

Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption

• Are you 21 years of age or older?
• Do you have a stable & secure income?
• Are you in good physical/mental health?
• Can your home pass a safety/fire inspection?
• Are you free of any child abuse reports and free of a criminal background?
• Do you have a stable family relationship?
• Can you commit to a child?

Families must complete the PRIDE training course and complete a homestudy. PRIDE training is an excellent opportunity to meet other families who are going through the foster and/or adoption process. It is also an opportunity to educate yourself about adoption and foster parenting.

The homestudy is a comprehensive report of your family and home environment. The completed homestudy includes an application, summary of your family’s history, interviews, criminal background and child abuse clearances. The timeline of the homestudy can vary from family to family.

Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?

It is free to go through the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) to be both a foster and adoptive family.

Private foster care agencies do not charge for a homestudy for foster care, but do charge for adoption homestudies.

Parent Support Groups

Mission West Virginia has an adoption and foster care lending library for West Virginia families. Contact Rachel Probst at 866-CALL-MWV or rprobst@missionwv.org.

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

A complete listing of county WV DHHR contacts and private foster care/adoption agencies can be provided by contacting Mission West Virginia at 866-CALL-MWV.

Information on Children

There are 4,331 children in foster care in West Virginia; 975 of these children are waiting for an adoptive family.

Without a permanent, loving home, these children face the likelihood of entering adulthood with no parental guidance or support. We believe that ALL CHILDREN deserve a loving, safe home.