If my child has been taken into state custody, can I still create an adoption plan?

If your child has been taken into state custody by the Florida Department of Children and Families, you are still able to choose adoption for your child as long as your parental rights have not been terminated. While choosing to place your child for adoption in Florida is not an easy choice, it would allow you the ability to gain more control over the situation and to place your child into a better situation, compared to foster care.

Some Benefits of Choosing Adoption For Your Baby:

• You will be able to choose the waiting adoptive family, giving you the peace of mind that the child will be raised in a loving, stable home.
• You will have the option to still play a role in the child’s life, through open (or semi-open) adoption.
• You will be able to pursue your goals and prepare for a bright future, by continuing your education or career.
• You may be eligible to receive some sort of financial assistance, along with access to counseling and support, throughout the adoption process and even after placement.

Choosing adoption for your child wouldn’t just be beneficial to you, it would also make a large, positive impact on your child’s life as well. Compared with children who grow up in foster care, children who are adopted tend to have more opportunities for growth and exploration since the adoptive parents have long planned for their arrival. Adopted children are also often raised in more safe, stable environments and by adoptive parents who have the financial resources to provide them with educational opportunities, like the ability to attend college. Additionally, adopted children are able to grow up knowing that their birth parents made a tough, but loving decision to place them with a family who would love and care for them and give them the best life possible.

Having your child removed from your home by the Florida Department of Children and Families can be stressful and scary, but you don’t have to go through this alone. If you’d like to consider exploring an adoption plan for your child, you can always contact Heart of Adoptions, Inc. at 1-800-GO-ADOPT. We’re here to help guide you through this challenging time and to advocate for you throughout the process.