Adoption FAQ

1. What is adoption?
   Answer: Adoption is the permanent, legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from the state to the adoptive parent. DePelchin Children's Center offers adoption of children in foster care, as well as infants placed through our private infant adoption program.  
   
   
2. What types of kids are waiting to be adopted?
   Answer: Children of all ages, origins, ethnicity and backgrounds are waiting to be adopted. Some of the children are toddlers. Others are teenagers. A portion may need extra attention. Others are members of sibling groups. However, they share one common thread. All of these children need a loving family and a place to call home.
   
   
3. Does it cost a lot of money to adopt a child?
   Answer: NO! Actually, there are funds available to help you take care of your adopted child. The following is important information regarding fees:
   • For infants, fees are based on your income
   • There are NO adoption fees for children in the custody of the state of Texas
   • Monthly financial assistance may be available
   
   
4. Who is adopting these kids?
   Answer: Everyday people just like you are adopting children. You DO NOT need to be rich to adopt. You DO need to want to provide a nurturing, safe and loving environment to a child.
   
   
5. Will the adoption process take a long time?
   Answer: The length of time will vary, depending on the procedures involved in each adoption. The process usually includes:
   • An information session designed to give you an overview of adoption and answer questions
   • PRIDE training
   • A "homestudy" period including meetings with a social worker and possibly with an adoptive parent or other prospective parents
   • Home consultations to assess strengths and needs