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If you’re interested in opening your home to foster or adopt, Embrace is here to help. The need for additional foster and adoptive families in our community is great. While Embrace is not a child placing agency (meaning we do not license families or place children), we are available to provide information and walk alongside you on this journey. Below are answers to commonly asked questions and helpful resources.

Every day in Texas, more than 16,000 children are in foster care. These children have been removed from unsafe situations involving abuse or neglect and need safe, stable homes where they can heal.

In the Dallas–Fort Worth area (Region 3), a private organization called EMPOWER partners with the state to manage children’s cases and find placements. When a child is removed from their home, caseworkers first look for relatives (kinship care). If none are available, they reach out to Child Placing Agencies (CPAs), who then contact their licensed foster families to find an open home.

Because there are not enough foster families, children may sometimes:

  • Spend the night in offices or shelters
  • Be separated from siblings
  • Be placed far away from their home community
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The first priority in foster care is almost always reunification with the child’s parents, if it can be done safely. Foster parents provide stability during this time. If reunification is not possible, children may become eligible for adoption — and many foster families go on to adopt.

Steps to Become a Foster Parent

  1. Attend an information session
    Learn more about fostering and ask questions.
  2. Choose an agency
    In Texas, foster parents work with private CPAs that license and support families.
  3. Complete application, background checks, and training
    Most agencies require 30–40 hours of training, provided at no cost. A home study is also completed to get to know your family and home environment.
  4. Licensing
    Families are typically licensed within 2–4 months, depending on paperwork and training schedules.
  5. Receive placement calls
    Once licensed, you may get a call at any time about a child who matches the age range or needs you have agreed to accept. Decisions often need to be made quickly.

 

What Foster Parents Should Know

  • You can specify the age range, gender, and needs of children you feel equipped to care for.
  • Children arrive with unique needs — some mild (such as asthma or ADHD), others more complex (trauma, behavioral challenges).
  • Foster parents assume the responsibilities of parenting but with additional requirements, such as needing caseworker approval for medical decisions, haircuts, or travel.
  • Placements can last days, months, or years depending on each child’s case.
  • Schools must enroll foster children within 48 hours, so be prepared to adjust your schedule at first to help them transition.
  • Foster parents receive a monthly stipend to help cover expenses, and children’s medical needs are covered through state programs.
  • CPAs provide training, caseworker support, and ongoing resources.
  • Community organizations such as Embrace Texas walk alongside families with practical help, including foster supply closets, mentoring, retreats, and support groups.

Becoming a foster parent means opening your home and your heart to a child in crisis. It is challenging, but it is also life-changing. Children need safety and love right here in North Texas, and ordinary families can make an extraordinary difference.

How will I let them go?

Remember that these children have been placed in your home temporarily for protection, care and nurturing. While some children may become adoptable, family reunification is always the primary goal of the courts. It can be very painful to send a child into a situation you know little about, especially after they have been a part of your family for some time. You have seen this child through their darkest hours, and made a lasting impression on their lives. It is also not uncommon to breathe a sigh of relief when some children leave. It can be a bittersweet situation for any parent.


What will they call me?

“Mom” “Miss” “Sir” “Auntie” “Hey You”. Depending on the age of the children, you should introduce yourself with what you want them to call you. Miss (first name) and Mr. (first name), are a common and respectful option. If you have children in the home calling you Mom and Dad, your foster children may quickly begin to call you this as well. This is not an issue, as long as you are always clear about who their biological parents are. Children may also begin to refer to their birthparents as “my old mom” or “my other dad”, and in these situations it is best to take a moment to clear things up.


Will I meet birthparents?

In some cases you may see birthparents on a regular basis when dropping a child off for their court allowed parental visits. Some children do not have visits, and some parents cannot be visited (if incarcerated, for example). Meeting a child’s biological parents for the first time can be nerve wracking. Stick to the basics. Greet them and introduce yourself as the child’s foster parent. If they have questions about the child, or the care you are giving them, answer any you feel comfortable with, or ask them to write them down and you will send an update through the caseworker. While the choices of the birthparents are the most likely reason a child is in foster care, they are not the enemy, and your attempts to encourage them or find out what their child likes or dislikes while in your care can only improve the long-term success of a child’s healing and growth.


What about medical insurance or therapy?

Every child in foster care receives some form of Medicaid (medical insurance) at no cost to foster parents. This covers all medical, dental, and vision costs with approved providers. There are no co-pays, and almost all hospitals and emergency rooms accept Medicaid. If your foster child is under 3 years old, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) will assess their developmental needs and provide speech or occupational therapy if appropriate, otherwise, your school district will assess any special services your child will need. Foster parents can contact their child placing agency for references regarding counselors to help children work through neglect, abuse and loss. These counselors are covered by Medicaid as well.


What about my biological kids?

Many families who foster and adopt already have other children in the home, and it is necessary to think about the impact foster care and adoption will have on them. While you have expectations of what a new child will be like in your home, your children have expectations too. Will they like me? Will I get to show them new things? Will they share? Where will they sleep? What will it be like if/when they leave? What if they aren’t nice? Parents must give their kids opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings throughout the process. Many biological children come to mature and develop a greater compassion for other people because their parents chose to foster. Keep the conversation open and ongoing about how they are feeling and prepare them for the journey your whole family is going on.


Do we consider birth order?

Yes, but it is not the final factor in who you can or cannot foster parent. There will be times when foster and biological children of the same age will blend well together in a home, and there will be times when caring for an infant or child younger than your biological children will go smoothly. Be perceptive about the emotional health and maturity of your children. If you have a difficult time caring for a child that is roughly the same age as a biological child, adjust your age range for the next foster placement that comes to your home or take a break for a while after that child is reunified with their family.


How will they get to school?

A foster child will attend school in your school district and can ride the bus like any other child. If your school district offers Head Start, a pre-school program for at-risk children ages 4 or 5, your foster child should be enrolled there. Foster children qualify for free breakfast and lunch as well. The state does not permit foster children to be homeschooled. Due to the neglect and inconsistency of the parenting many foster children received early in life, a child may require extra help in developing the skills they need to succeed. Academics, while important, should take a back seat to a child’s emotional health and healing. The brains of children in the midst of trauma are focused on survival, not collecting new information such as multiplication tables. With patience and encouragement, most children in a stable home can make great academic gains.


Can we adopt?

A group consisting of the child’s Empower caseworker, a supervisor, a court appointed special advocate (CASA), the district attorney, and the child’s attorney ad litem determine the child’s permanency plan with a judge’s ongoing approval. Birthparents traditionally have one year to complete a service plan and be reunified with their children. If this group diligently pursues reunification and reunification is no longer appropriate, the court will change the goal to some other form of permanency. This new goal may be be permanent conservatorship of a child or adoption. There is a 90 day waiting period for family members to step up and be be considered. If no appropriate family is identified or willing, the foster family may be asked if they wish to adopt the child. The adoption process is usually finalized after a few more months and depending on circumstances will cost less than $5,000.


How do I choose an agency?

When faced with a list of agencies, choosing one can seem like a daunting task. Get involved with support groups and talk to AS MANY people who have adopted as you can. Most are happy to share their experiences with their agency with you. Start a running list of recommendations from people you talk to, and then give the agencies a call. Good questions to ask an agency directly are:

  • How long has the agency been in business?
  • How many cases do each of your caseworkers oversee at any given time?
  • What is the turnover rate of your casework staff?
  • Do you have post-placement therapeutic services and resources available? If so, what are they?
  • Does your licensing training for foster care and/or adoption include trauma-informed care?

More than one-third of American families say they have considered adoption. Many begin with late-night internet searches, conversations with friends, or phone calls to agencies. However your journey starts, the most important first step is to learn about your options, the process, and the costs involved.

Adoption Through Foster Care

Children in the Texas foster care system enter care because of abuse or neglect. They may be infants, teens, or part of a sibling group, and some have special physical, emotional, or developmental needs. Families who adopt from foster care must be licensed through a Child Placing Agency (CPA) and complete a home study. Children typically live with their adoptive family for at least six months before the adoption is finalized.

There are two common paths to adoption through foster care:

  • Fostering with Openness to Adoption: Families foster children, knowing many will be reunited with their families or moved into the care of relatives. If parental rights are later terminated, foster parents may be asked if they are willing to adopt a child in their care.
  • Straight Adoption: Families are matched only with children already legally free for adoption.

Adoptions through foster care are usually very affordable, often costing less than $5,000. Children adopted from foster care may also qualify for state benefits such as healthcare, scholarships, or adoption subsidies.

To see waiting children in Texas, visit the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange. For children across the U.S., visit AdoptUsKids.com.

 

International Adoption

Around the world, many children are orphaned or abandoned and in need of families. International adoption laws vary by country and can change over time. Families should research carefully, confirm whether a country is part of the Hague Convention, and work only with reputable agencies to avoid unethical practices.

International adoptions generally cost between $30,000 and $50,000, with additional expenses for travel, lodging, and legal fees abroad. While costs are higher, families often find that younger children are more available internationally, and timelines can be more predictable.

 

Newborn Adoption

Some expectant parents choose to place their infant for adoption, typically through a licensed agency or attorney. Birth parents may review profiles of waiting families and select the one they feel is the best match for their child.

Private infant adoptions typically cost between $10,000 and $40,000, with wait times that can stretch one to two years. Agencies may set stricter requirements for families pursuing this path. It is important that newborn adoptions always follow proper legal channels to protect both the child and the adoptive family.

 

Key Takeaway

There is no single “right way” to adopt. Each path — foster care, international, or newborn adoption — carries its own costs, timelines, and responsibilities. The best first step is to connect with experienced adoptive families, attend an information session, and choose a trusted agency to guide you.

 

How can I afford to adopt?

The cost of adoption can vary a great deal. Adopting from the state foster care system is usually very low cost, while private or international adoptions can reach $20,000–$40,000 or more. Many families get creative by hosting fundraisers like garage sales or silent auctions, and others apply for adoption grants or interest-free loans. The federal Adoption Tax Credit also helps offset expenses such as travel and legal fees. Each year, families may claim up to around $15,000 (adjusted annually) and spread the credit out over several years if needed.

How do I choose an agency?

Choosing an agency can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. One of the best steps is to talk with families who have already adopted — most are eager to share their experiences. As you begin making calls, ask agencies about their history, the size of their caseloads, and whether they offer post-placement support like counseling or training. It’s also wise to ask if their training includes trauma-informed care, which is essential for helping children from hard places heal.

Can I adopt a child of a specific race?

Every family has to thoughtfully consider who they feel best equipped to parent. Some families request children within certain ages or backgrounds, while others are open to a wider range. If you adopt across racial or cultural lines, you’ll need to be intentional about creating an environment where your child feels fully seen and supported. Talking with parents in multiracial adoptive families is a great way to learn from their experiences and prepare for your own journey.

Is infertility a reason to adopt?

For many families, infertility is part of their story and one reason they begin exploring adoption. However, adoption should not be viewed as a replacement for biological children. Adopted children are not “stand-ins” but precious individuals deserving to be loved for who they are. Adoption is its own calling, and it should be entered into because your family has the desire and capacity to provide a child with a safe, loving, permanent home.

Will my child have contact with their birth family?

The level of contact with a child’s birth family, often called “openness,” can vary widely. Some adoptions involve sending yearly updates and photos, while others include regular visits with birth parents, siblings, or grandparents. When safe and possible, openness can be healthy for children, helping them understand their story and identity as they grow. While the details may differ, the guiding principle is the same: children deserve honesty about their past, explained in ways that are appropriate for their age and stage of life.

All throughout Scripture, God shows His heart for the vulnerable. Over and over, He identifies Himself as the defender of the fatherless and the protector of the oppressed. The psalmist calls Him “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows…God sets the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:5–6). In Proverbs, we’re urged to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and James reminds us that true religion is not found in rituals but in caring for orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27). To care for children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned is not simply a good deed — it is stepping into the very work that God has always been about.

 

The picture of adoption runs deeper still. The New Testament describes our salvation in the language of adoption. Paul writes in Romans that we have received “the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15). In Ephesians, he says God “predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5). Adoption is not just a metaphor — it is the story of the gospel. We were spiritually orphaned, separated from God by sin, yet He chose us, brought us close, and called us His children.

 

When the People of God open their homes to children in need, they are reflecting this same gospel love. It is a way of saying, “As God has welcomed me, I will welcome you.” For a child who has known instability, loss, or rejection, being received into a safe and loving family is a glimpse of God’s own heart. And for the church, stepping into foster care or adoption is not only an act of compassion, but also a witness — a living parable of the way God rescues and redeems His children.

 

Take time to prayerfully consider caring for abused or neglected children. In offering a home, stability, and love to a child who desperately needs it, we are participating in God’s story of redemption. We are living out the gospel we proclaim, showing in action what we believe in our hearts: that every child matters, every child belongs, and in God’s family, no one is forgotten.