Bringing Children’s Home to Your Family
In the State of Texas, a special needs adoption is described as the adoption of older children and harder to place children from the CPS system.
To qualify for a special needs adoption the child must be:
- In the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services, and
- A minority single child over the age of 2, or
- An Anglo single child over the age of 6, or
- A sibling group of children of any age, or
- A child with a pre-existing developmental disability.
These children’s adoptive families qualify for Adoption Assistance from State and Federal programs. See below for details on Adoption Assistance.
What Do We Need To Do?
Prospective foster and adoptive parents may be single or married and must:
- Be at Least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible mature adults
- Provide documentation of at least a high school degree or GED
- Complete an application
- Provide 7 references from relatives and non-relatives
- Allow staff to complete a criminal background check on all adults in the household
- Show proof of marriage and/or divorce
- Agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members
- Attend training courses to learn about the issues of abused and neglected children
- Have adequate sleeping and play space
- Agree to a non-physical discipline policy
- Permit fire, health and safety inspections of the home
What is Adoption Assistance?
If your adopted child qualifies for adoption assistance, the following benefits are offered to the family:
- Free Tuition and Fees to any Texas state college or university
- Adoption Subsidy paid monthly to the family until the child is 18
- Texas Medicaid Healthcare Insurance benefits until the child is 18
- Attorney and Non-Reoccurring adoption costs reimbursed up to $1500.00
- Federal Tax Credit
To learn more about your options for Special Needs Adoption, fill out this form:
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