Adoption Process

Adopting from Foster Care

More than 123,000 U.S. children are waiting in foster care for their forever family. These are children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or other challenges, and they cannot return to their birth families. If you're looking to open your heart and home to a child, please know that there is a child out there who is looking for you!

KVC is a private, nonprofit organization that has matched more than 5,300 children with loving forever families. We are passionate about finding the best possible family for each unique child. We would be honored to help you become an adoptive family. (Learn more about us at kvckansas.org.)

Why adopt a child from U.S. foster care?

There is a myth that it’s easier and faster to adopt internationally than from U.S. foster care. The reality is that in 2011, there were 51,000 children adopted through U.S. foster care while less than 10,000 children were adopted by U.S. citizens from all international sources combined.

On average, it takes roughly a year to adopt a child from the U.S. foster care system. Most adoptions through foster care have minimal costs, and those costs are often reimbursable.

Meet children waiting to be adopted

Who needs to be adopted?

The children available for adoption through KVC are often:

  • Age 12 and above
  • Sibling set who need to be adopted together
  • Have unique needs

Please note: While young children and babies do enter state custody, our first goal is to try and safely reunite the child with his or her birth parents. If reunification is not possible, relatives and familiar caregivers are the next best choice to care for them. A list of agencies that specialize in adoptions of toddlers and babies are below:

Adoption and Beyond
American Adoptions
Catholic Charities
From Heart to Home (through KCSL)
Lifeline Children's Service

Who can Adopt?

People from all types of backgrounds can adopt children from foster care. Whether you own or rent your home, have children already or don't, work full-time or stay home, you may be eligible to adopt. 

Characteristics of a good foster parent include:

  • Being stable, mature, dependable and flexible
  • Having the ability to advocate for children and be committed to making a difference
  • Being a team player with your family or child welfare worker

Families interested in adopting a child in state custody typically must:

  • Complete free training classes
  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Be financially stable
  • Pass background checks, and
  • Be able to provide a stable and loving home for a child or children who have experienced abuse and neglect

Use Adopt U.S. Kids’ interactive map of state foster care and adoption information to determine if you’re eligible to adopt where you live.

Child Welfare Information Gateway also has a great summary of state laws about who may adopt, be adopted, or placed for adoption.

First Step - Training Classes

Most states require a training class before approving a family to adopt a child. The goal of the class is to help prospective foster and adoptive parents gain a better understanding of their ability, willingness and readiness to adopt.

At this time, all children listed on this website are in Kansas. Most children can be adopted by a family from any U.S. state, unless otherwise specified.

Kansas

In the state of Kansas, the required training is called MAPP (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) Foundations). MAPP is a free 30-hour course. To find out when the next class is starting, visit this page and our recruiter will contact you.

Other States

To learn more about eligibility requirements where you live, visit Adopt U.S. Kids’ interactive map of state foster care and adoption information. Child Welfare Information Gateway also has a great summary of state laws about who may adopt, be adopted, or placed for adoption.

Next Steps, How to Adopt

After your state-required training is complete, families complete an adoptive home study to determine their readiness for adoption. This application includes:

  • Criminal background check
  • Verification of employment
  • Health assessment of all family members
  • Reference checks from friends and family

Discussions will include:

  • Parenting style
  • Life experiences
  • Sense of family
  • Expectations for a child
  • Reasons for wanting to adopt
  • Thoughts about the type of child you feel best equipped to parent

KVC is a licensed adoption agency in Kansas and West Virginia. We also play a facilitating role in child adoptions in Missouri and Nebraska.

Search profiles of children available for adoption through KVC. Or, search a broader geographical area through Adopt Kansas Kids or Adopt U.S. Kids.

During the adoption journey, KVC prepares families with information and support, including the availability of services for twelve months following adoption finalization.

KVC provides full disclosure of all available information about the child’s background, experiences and needs. The children available for adoption through KVC are generally age 10 and above, part of a sibling set of three or more who need to be adopted together, or have unique needs.

Contact us today!

To a child in foster care, waiting to be adopted can feel like waiting for a miracle. You could be that miracle. Email us at shauck@kvc.org or call 785-409-6946.

KVC has matched more than 5,300 children with loving forever families. We would be honored to help you become an adoptive family as well.

In Kansas

KVC Kansas
21344 W. 153rd St., Olathe, KS 66061
(888) 655-5500 toll-free
(913) 499-8100 local

KDHE License #773

In Missouri

Please contact KVC Missouri at (844) 424-3577 or learn more at www.kvcmo.org.

In Nebraska

Please contact KVC Nebraska at (402) 498-4700 or learn more at www.kvcnebraska.org.

In West Virginia

Please contact KVC West Virginia at (304) 347-9818 or learn more at www.kvcwv.org.

In other states

Use Adopt U.S. Kids’ interactive map of state foster care and adoption information to determine if you’re eligible to adopt where you live.

Child Welfare Information Gateway also has a great summary of state laws about who may adopt, be adopted, or placed for adoption.