South Dakota foster care and adoption guidelines

 

Thank you for your interest in foster care and adoption.

On this page:

 

Licensing requirements for foster or adoption

 

You need to become licensed to foster and/or approved to adopt from foster care. To do this, you can work with a local CPS office or a private placement agency.

Adoption

If you are interested in learning about becoming an adoptive parent and you are 21 years of age, the first step is to contact a local CPS office.

For more information about becoming an adoptive parent, please contact Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota at 888-201-5061, 605-221-2990, or rfs@lsssd.org.

Here are your next steps:

  • A packet containing information about becoming an adoptive parent will be mailed to those requesting it.
  • Once contact has been made, a Family Services Specialist will explain the needs of children who are placed for adoption and outline the requirements for becoming an adoptive parent.

Foster care

If you are interested in learning about becoming a foster parent and you are at least 21 years of age, the first step is to contact a local CPS office.

For more information about becoming a foster parent, please contact Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota at 888-201-5061, 605-221-2990, or rfs@lsssd.org.

Here are your next steps:

  • A packet containing information regarding foster parenting will be mailed to those requesting it.
  • Once contact has been made, a social worker will explain the needs of children in foster care and outline the requirements for becoming a foster parent.

Please note that 60 percent of the adoptions through the Department of Social Services in South Dakota are when families adopt their foster child.

 

Foster care and adoption costs

 

No, adoption does not have to be expensive. Many families adopt each year using low-cost to almost no-cost adoption options.

Private placement agencies will place waiting children in the foster care system in an adoptive placement. When contacting private agencies please specify that you want to adopt from foster care to ensure you receive the correct information. Fees may vary depending on individual situations.

 

Agency contact and orientation information

 

View a list of local Child Protection Services offices in South Dakota.

Bethany Christian Services
Address: 2525 West Main, Suite 309, Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone: 605-343-7196

Bethany Christian Services
Address: 400 S Sycamore Ave. Ste 105-2, Sioux Falls, SD 57110
Phone: (605) 336-6999

Catholic Family Services–Sioux Falls
Address: 523 North Duluth Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-988-3775 or 605-334-9861

Catholic Family Services–Aberdeen
Address: 310 15th Ave. SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401
Phone: 605-266-1304

Catholic Social Services–Rapid City
Address: 918 Fifth St., Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: 605-348-6086

Lutheran Social Services–Sioux Falls
Address: 705 E. 41st St., Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-336-3347

Lutheran Social Services–Watertown
Address: 1424 9th Ave. SE, Suite 7, Watertown, SD 57201
Phone: 605-882-2740

New Horizon’s Adoption Agency
Address: 519 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-332-0310

Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Nation
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 509, Agency Village, SD 57262
Phone: 605-698-3911

Post-adoption support services

See a comprehensive list of post-adoption and guardianship support services and support groups available to families who live in South Dakota.