What is the Difference between Foster Care and Adoption?

By Cynthia Knotts

When facing an unplanned pregnancy as a birth mother, there are many options to look through. The differences between the options may get muddy and confusing at times. You want what’s best for your child, so having a clear definition of what all your choices entail is crucial. Not everyone is familiar with adoption or foster care. So, it is difficult to understand the difference between them. Deciphering the difference between foster care and adoption may be challenging at first.

Adoption Choices of Florida will guide you through any questions you have. If you choose adoption, we will help you begin the adoption process and make sure it runs smoothly for you. Your freedom and control of the choices you make for your child is special and a right you may not have with other options.

What is Adoption?

Adoption in Florida as a birth mother means that you chose to place your baby in a loving and nurturing home. You will go through the process of choosing the adoptive family, the level of openness you want with the adoptive parents, and much more. You have full control over what happens in your adoption journey, including when you sign away your parental rights. If you want to maintain contact with your child and the adoptive parents after you finalize the adoption, you can choose an open adoption.

Adoption agencies will provide you with an adoption caseworker who will guide you through the adoption journey. You will never be alone. There are so many aspects of adoption to look forward to throughout your adoption journey. Through our adoption center in Florida, you will never be unaware of anything that goes on, and nothing will happen without your consent. 

Adoption provides a sense of permanency that will benefit you and your child in many ways. For you, as a birth mother, knowing who is caring for your child will ease any anxiety. For your child, the sense of stability and being able to build close bonds with their adoptive family will benefit him or her as they grow up. Feeling emotional support from people you trust is another important benefit adoption provides for you. This often leads to more successful future relationships and improved mental health overall.

What is Foster Care?

Foster care is a temporary service for children who cannot live with their families. It can also be referred to as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living. Foster children are as young as toddlers and as old as teenagers. Some may age out of the foster care system after being in multiple homes. A child can stay with their foster family up to thirteen months until moved to another foster home, adopted or their parents regain custody. Yet, each and every situation greatly varies.

Foster parents can choose to foster children for shorter periods of time ,and multiple children throughout the years, in some cases. Some children may reunite with their families. Many may not. Biological parents can maintain their parental rights during the foster care process, yet they have no say in where their child is placed or how long he or she stays there. That is dictated by the state. The foster care system as a whole is run by state government. In many cases, the state can deem a parent unfit, relinquish their parental rights and make the child available for adoption.  

With foster care, you do not have control over what happens to your child once they are within the system. Additionally, foster care is not stable, like adoption. Much of what happens, as aforementioned, is decided by the state. 

What is the Difference between Foster Care and Adoption?

One of the main differences between adoption and foster care is that adoption gives birth mothers control. 

Foster care is, in many ways, a less stable environment than adoption. With adoption, care for your child is entirely the responsibility of the adoptive parent or parents. You know without a shadow of a doubt who the adoptive parents are, and that your child will always be with them. 

Adoption Choice of Florida will help you through all of your choices throughout the adoption journey. You will always be in full control of the adoption process. Adoption agencies will be available 24/7 to answer any questions and provide you with information you need. You will never be alone, and all information you share will be confidential and in a judgement-free zone.

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption, and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call us at: (833) 352-3678