fbpx

If there is anything we know, it is that children belong with families.

Right now, hundreds of children in the state of Florida are awaiting a forever family. Through no fault of their own, these children could not be safely reunified with their biological families after entering foster care. In these situations, the court determines whether it is in the child’s best interest to terminate their parental rights (TPR). Once the TPR process begins, we start to look for a new forever family for the child.

While adoptive families are critical partners in our system of care, please be aware that, today in Central Florida, we have many more families seeking to adopt than we have children available for adoption.  The children who are awaiting adoption are generally older; the average age of a child in foster care waiting for a forever family is 8 years old, and the majority are teens.  Our children are often in sibling groups, or have behavioral/emotional needs that require additional patience, commitment, love and care.  It is extremely rare for an infant or toddler to become openly available for adoption.

This is not meant to discourage you, but we are well aware that the journey to adoption can be heart-wrenching and the last thing we want to do is to make it any harder. As difficult as this is to learn, we hope you recognize that this trend represents a good thing for our community and our kids overall – it means that more children are able to be safely reunited with their biological families.

Thank you for your interest in accepting the life-changing role of becoming an adoptive parent.  For more information, call 866-902-4453 or email recruitment@embracefamilies.org.

Please note:  At the current time, Embrace Families has postponed accepting adopt-only prospective families. At the same time, we want to encourage you to find a path to adoption that helps you fulfill that dream. For a list of private adoption agencies and private classes, click here. 

Frequently-asked questions

  • At the current time, Embrace Families has postponed accepting adopt-only prospective families.

  • To explore the possibility of fostering or mentoring a child, call 866-902-4453 or email recruitment@embracefamilies.org.

  •  Click here for a list of private adoption agencies and private adoption preparation classes.

When children and teens are available for adoption, the State of Florida doesn’t charge to place foster children in adoptive homes. The legal finalization (court and attorney fees) of the adoption could cost less than $1,000 (and in most cases is reimbursable by the State).

Every situation is different, but when children and teens are available for adoption, adoptive families are required to complete a comprehensive training and home study process.

This process can take as long as 10-12 months.  We prioritize families who are open to adopting sibling groups or teenagers, as those are our most pressing needs.

The process includes:

  • Attend an orientation session.
  • Complete the 32 hour NTDC Adoptive Parent Preparation Training. This training teaches the ins and outs of the foster care system, and helps adoptive parents understand the child welfare system and what to expect when parenting children who have experienced trauma.
  • Complete a thorough home inspection and study (we’ll ask lots of questions!).
  • Complete background, employment and reference checks.
  • Welcome a child into your heart and home.

If the adoptions team for the child believes you may be a match, they will disclose the foster care history; birth information; medical history; assessments or psychological evaluations; current daily habits and preferences; and non-identifying social and medical information about biological parents and birth family. It is then up to you to determine whether you would like to continue the adoption process with that child.

  • A monthly adoption subsidy stipend helps offset the cost of caring for the child.

  • A specialty Medicaid plan is available to cover the child’s health and dental expenses.

  • Local foster/adoptive parent associations meet monthly to provide guidance and emotional support, ongoing training, respite, or sometimes just an empathetic ear for both foster and adoptive parents.

  • Teen and young adults adopted from foster care are eligible for a tuition waiver to any college in the state of Florida that accepts Bright Futures.

Visit the Heart Gallery of Central Florida

Visit the Heart Gallery of Central Florida to view local children seeking forever families.

Take me to the Heart Gallery

Visit Adopt Florida

Visit Adopt Florida a to view children in the State of Florida seeking forever families.

Take me to Adopt Florida

View our Adoption Brochure

Open brochure

Embrace Families Direct Deposit Program

To enroll in the Embrace Families direct deposit program, please complete this authorization form and return it to Accounting.
This information will be used to ensure your payment is deposited into the proper account.

Authorization for Direct Deposit Form

Foster

For foster children unable to live with their parents due to neglect or abuse, a safe and loving home to “feel normal” again can make all the difference. As a foster parent, you can help provide the love, stability and structure needed during a scary and traumatic time.
Mentor

Use your unique perspective to become a positive role model and champion for foster youth — help nurture valuable academic, social and emotional skills.
Donate

In an ideal world, no child would have to enter foster care. Support our efforts to prevent abuse and neglect by helping us to address child abuse prevention, family stability and youth success.