Adoptions

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Is there room in your home and your heart for a waiting child?

About Us
Shasta County Department of Social Services is licensed by the state as a full-service adoption agency. Our adoption services are available to all Shasta County residents. Adoption permanently transfers parental rights from birth parents to adoptive parents, who become that child's "forever family." It means giving children the love and understanding they need to develop to their full potential.

The Children
Sometimes children in foster care are not able to return home, so adoption is the best option. Children of all ages are available for adoption, including children with special needs and sibling groups. Most are protected by social services because they have been abused, neglected, abandoned or experienced other family dysfunction. These children are placed in foster care until it is determined that they will be adopted. Some are frightened, some are angry, they are hopeful, they are wary, they are eager to love and be loved. Adoption offers them a second chance. You can see some of our waiting children on "Monday's Child" at 5:30 p.m. Mondays on News Channel 24 (past segments are on the Channel 12 web site). You may also see children looking for forever families at the Shasta County "Heart Gallery." Through the volunteer efforts of local photographers, the gallery features portraits that capture the spirit of foster children who are eligible to be adopted.

The Adoptive Parent
We are seeking mature adults who have a stable family life, regular income, good health and a willingness to accept an adopted child as their own. Single parents can adopt, also. If you are flexible, patient, loving, caring and committed, you might have what it takes to adopt a child. Successful adoptive parents:

• Are family oriented and ready to parent
• Make and keep their commitments
• Are flexible and able to adjust to the unexpected and unknown
• Know that parenting is a skill and take advantage of opportunities to improve those skills
• Have a sense of humor
• Are risk takers
• Care deeply about children
• Feel that giving a child a family of his/her own is the most important thing they can do
• Have a strong family and neighborhood support system
• Enjoy even the smallest steps of progress
• Above all, they value their newly adopted child for what he or she can accomplish and appreciate the child's unique qualities

The Process
The first step in adopting a child is to attend an inquiry meeting, where you learn about the process and available children. After an orientation meeting, you will complete an application packet to determine the types of children that you would be willing and able to take into your home. This helps provide a good match for both you and the child.

Once the paperwork has been submitted, the home study begins. This allows the social worker can get to know you and help you learn whether adoption is right for your family. This allows us to make the best possible match. Social workers remain involved with families throughout the adoptive process until the adoption is finalized (and they can also provide support after the adoption). In most cases, financial assistance is available to help parents with the legal, medical and living costs associated with caring for a child with special needs.  Learn more about the process here.

Want to know more?
Frequently Asked Questions 
Post-adoption assistance
What is required of adoptive parents