Florida foster care and adoption guidelines

Florida foster care and adoption guidelines

We are glad that you are interested in training or adoption. For information, interested families in Florida can call 800-96-ADOPT (800-962-3678).

Contact: Bob Rooks
Phone: 904-353-0679 or 1-800-96-ADOPT (800-962-3678)
Email[email protected]

On this page:

  • Foster and adoption licensing requirements: https://www.adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/how-to-adopt-and-foster/state-information/florida#requirements
  • Costs to foster and adopt:  https://www.adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/how-to-adopt-and-foster/state-information/florida#costs
  • Agency contact and orientation information: https://www.adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/how-to-adopt-and-foster/state-information/florida#contact
  • Post-adoption support services: https://www.adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/how-to-adopt-and-foster/state-information/florida#support
  • Information on Florida’s children:  https://www.adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/how-to-adopt-and-foster/state-information/florida#support

Foster and adoption licensing requirements

The requirements for adoptive parents and adoptive parents include demonstration methods for establishing partnerships in parenting courses, or PRIDE (Parent Resource for Information Development and Education) training.

  • Prospective foster parents complete a licensing study to become licensed to become foster parents.
  • Prospective adoptive parents complete a homestudy to be licensed to adopt.
  • The typical time frame is six to eight months for the entire process.

For more information about adopting or fostering, please call 1-800-96-ADOPT (800-962-3678). Have more questions about adoption? Read our adoption FAQ or view the road to adoption.

Costs to foster or adopt

If a family is working with a community-based care agency, there is no cost to foster or adopt. Please call us (800-962-3678) to ask about finding a community-based care agency.

Agency contact and orientation information

At the Adoption Information Center, we can help you find your local community care agency through the Department of Children and Family Affairs.

Please call 1-800-96-ADOPT (800-962-3678) for the agency nearest you.

Post-adoption support services

Learn about the support available to families who adopt in your state:

  • Primary service provider: Florida Adoption Information Center
  • Florida Department of Children and Families list of post-adoption counselors
  • Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association
  • Call  Florida’s adoption information line, 1-800-96-ADOPT (800-962-3678), to find local parent support groups

Information on Florida’s children

There are approximately 19,000 children in foster care in Florida. There are about 600 children awaiting permanent placement without an identified family.