​Our Children’s Homestead helps families adopt children within the foster care system who are unable to return to their family of origin. Children who are available for adoption through the OCH specialized foster care program receive the same services provided through our foster care program. A child placed in a foster home after six months of care can become eligible for adoption. Families will receive the support of an Adoption Specialist who will help the family prepare for the transition. The Adoption Specialist will also help the family identify any additional resources needed before adoption is completed. 
Families are able to access IL DCFS legal services for subsidy review and court fees 
which offered through an adoption attorney panel.  Families will have the option to receive support through a subsidy and have access to individual therapy through our post adoption contract. All families are eligible for IL DCFS Post Adoption/Guardianship Services in the future if needed. 

Steps to Foster Care to Adoption:
•    Six months of care in foster home
•    Adoption Specialist assigned to help with transition and identify additional services before adoption finalizes
•    Foster Care Home Study is Converted to an Adoption Home Study (3 in person visits minimum)
•    Background Clearances are updated for all household members 13 and older (this includes foster care youth)
•    Family completes Adoption Certification and Educational Advocacy Training
•    Family Identifies Adoption Attorney 
•    Subsidies are prepared and submitted to identify Family Attorney
•    Subsidy is Submitted to IL DCFS Adoption Unit for Final Approval
•    Court Orders are Submitted to Adoption Court 
•    Finalization Occurs and Juvenile DCFS case is closed
•    Family is registered for Post Adoption Services

Requirements for foster care to adopt: 
To adopt a child through Our Children’s Homestead specialized foster care program, one must:
•    be 21 years or older
•    be single or married
•    fulfill DCFS Illinois family licensing requirements
•    prove the ability to financially provide for the child
•    have no severe criminal background
•    indicate a specific, written backup plan for guardianship
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Costs for Foster Care Adoption:
There are no cost for families who wish to foster to adopt a child from the State of Illinois. 
*Some families choose to identify an attorney who is not listed on the IL DCFS Adoption Panel. IL DCFS will only cover $1500.00 of those expenses. Families must cover any cost that exceeds this amount.