Foster Care Adoption Cost in Arkansas

It’s a common scenario. You want to start a family, but you don’t want to start the process until you know how much you’ll invest in adopting a child. Some hopeful parents find private adoption and international adoption too costly. The good news is almost anyone can adopt thanks to the lower cost of adoption through foster care in Arkansas. 

The cost to adopt a child from foster care in Arkansas is almost always lower than other forms of adoption. While it’s true foster care adoption is the most affordable way to build a family, it’s also quite rewarding. You get to provide a deserving child with a stable home and loving family.

If money isn’t an issue in building a family, you may prefer the many advantages offered by domestic private adoption, such as:

• The option of adopting an infant
• Increased control over the adoption scenarios you’ll consider
• An opportunity to get acquainted with the birth parents before the child’s birth
• A chance to enjoy open adoption contact between you, your child, and their birth parents
• And much more

Is foster care adoption or private domestic adoption right for you? We want to help you answer this question. If you’d like to speak to an experienced adoption professional today, call 1-800-ADOPTION or complete our free online form. For now, we’ll discuss foster care adoption cost in Arkansas and how it may impact your family’s adoption journey.

Exploring Your Potential Cost of Adoption Through Foster Care in Arkansas

As we begin to explore the cost to adopt a foster child in Arkansas, we need to start with a few important concepts. First, foster care adoption is the adoption of children who are in the care of the state foster system. These kids have usually been removed from their biological homes due to adverse circumstances.

As a prospective adoptive parent, there are two ways you can adopt from foster care. They are:

• Adoption: Adoption from the foster system is a possibility after a family court has terminated the parental rights of the child’s biological parents.
• Foster to Adopt: If the birth parents still have their parental rights, but a child needs a temporary (and possibly permanent) home, hopeful parents can foster to adopt. Foster parents give kids in need a temporary home for the duration of their parents’ court cases. If reunification with the biological family isn’t possible, the child can be adopted by the foster parents.

Whichever option you choose, your decision will impact your foster care adoption cost in Arkansas as well as your adoption timeline. It’s wise to speak with an adoption professional for current information about the average cost of adoption through foster care in Arkansas.

How Much Does Foster Care Adoption Cost in Arkansas?

For some hopeful adoptive parents, learning about the high cost of adoption can be a bit of a shock. That’s normal because private domestic and internal adoption can be quite expensive. If the costs of private and international adoption caused you to reconsider family growth, you may be wondering, “How much does it cost to adopt a foster child in Arkansas?”  

It may be a relief for you to learn that foster care adoption is the least expensive method of family building since it’s subsidized by the state. Many associated costs of adopting from the foster system are reimbursed or covered outright. Arkansas also offer subsidies and reimbursements for foster parents to relieve some of the cost of raising a child in foster care. If you’re in Arkansas adopting a foster child, cost shouldn’t keep you from pursuing your adoption dreams.

Will you really not have to pay a high cost to adopt a foster child in Arkansas? The expense is minimal. Paying the cost of foster to adopt in Arkansas is even easier because nearly all adoption expenses are offset by assistance and subsidies you can receive.

It’s important to note that while it’s normal for cost to be a consideration, it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when planning to adopt. Yes, foster care adoption cost in Arkansas is almost free. But that doesn’t mean it’s really the right choice for you. Foster care adoption is often challenging despite the minimal cost, so research it thoroughly before deciding to move forward.

What Expenses Are Involved in Foster Care Adoption Cost in Arkansas?

You may encounter a few costs when adopting a foster child, as the average cost to adopt a child from foster care in Arkansas includes:

• The home study fees
• Costs for matching and advertising (usually free through state listing services)
• Fees for agency services (if you use a private agency)

Though you may be asked to cover these costs initially, the majority of the cost of adoption through foster care in Arkansas is fully reimbursable by the state. That’s one of the reasons it’s the most affordable way to adopt for hopeful families.

Is the Foster to Adopt Cost in Arkansas Higher Than the Foster Care Adoption Cost?

Your cost of adoption through foster care in Arkansas is the same whether you adopt directly from foster care or you choose to foster to adopt. You may incur additional costs if you choose the fostering to adopt path, however. Fostering a child means taking responsibility for their needs even if they aren’t eligible for permanent adoption yet. That may mean paying for daily needs like housing, food, clothing, and transportation.

Fortunately, some parts of that additional cost of foster to adopt in Arkansas are relieved by subsidies from the state that cover some of those expenses.

Why is Foster Care Adoption Cost in Arkansas So Cheap for Hopeful Adoptive Parents?

Foster care adoption cost in Arkansas is so low because there are more children in foster care eligible for adoption than there are prospective adoptive families to adopt them. About 4,500 kids are in the care of the Arkansas foster care system, and roughly 1,000 of them can be adopted at any given time.

Some kids in foster care have special needs that require special medical, educational, or other remedial services. It’s a greater challenge for the state to identify viable homes for them. Other kids in the care of the foster system are part of a sibling group, which means a family must accept a joint placement of multiple children, which can be challenging.

If you’re willing to accept these special circumstances, you’re likely to get adoption subsidies that ease concerns and further offset the additional cost to adopt a foster child in Arkansas. Subsidy programs help foster and adoptive parents provide quality services for the children in their care beyond the normal foster care adoption cost in Arkansas.

In foster care adoption, the term “special needs” means that the child has one or more of the traits below:

• Medical conditions
• Older children (beyond 8 years old)
• A particular racial or ethnic background
• Physical, mental or emotional disabilities
• Part of a sibling group requiring joint placement

DO Adoptive Parents Get Paid to Compensate for Foster Care Adoption Cost in Arkansas?  

No, the state never pays adoptive parents to adopt from foster care. Families who accept foster placements or adopt from foster care can get an adoption subsidy or reimbursement, to help offset the average cost of adopting through foster care in Arkansas, though.

Becoming a foster parent is a commitment to being financially stable enough to support a child. Even if you get subsidies from the state, you’ll still be responsible for covering the remainder of the cost of care for the child. You’ll be taking responsibility for meeting the child’s needs despite any other help available to cover any other cost of adoption through foster care in Arkansas.

The following assistance is available for eligible families who ask for help:

• Assistance with living expenses for the child such as food, clothing and shelter.
• Medical, dental or other healthcare through Arkansas Medicaid as a supplement to the adoptive/guardianship families' private medical or dental insurance plan.
• Childcare assistance for children of a certain age if both parents are working.
• Other subsidies may be available based on the individual needs of the child.

Why Consider Private Domestic Adoption If the Cost is Significantly Higher?

As a method of family building, foster care adoption can be a rewarding way to provide a stable home to a waiting older child. When the age of the child isn’t a concern, adopting a child from the foster care system can be a great option. Foster care adoption cost in Arkansas also appeals to parents with financial hurdles to overcome on their path to family growth.

But it’s not for everyone. You should consider other factors other than the cost if you’re planning your family’s future. It’s true, the cost for adoption through foster care in Arkansas is lower, but there are some distinct advantages to private infant adoption, such as:

• Chance to adopt an infant
• No trauma, attachments, or difficulties from childhood adversity
• Greater control over your adoption opportunities through your Adoption Planning Questionnaire (APQ)
• Shorter wait time due to fewer steps when compared to foster care adoption
• Greater certainty since birth parents provide consent before private adoption can proceed
• No need to wait for court to terminate parental rights of biological parents before adopting
• Opportunity for an open adoption with open communication between you, your child, and the birth parents
• And much more

If private infant adoption is appealing to you, we’d love to partner with you. At American Adoptions, we’ve helped more than 13,000 families complete successful adoptions. Our 96% success rate is among the leaders in the industry. We also offer 12x more marketing and promotion than competing agencies, which is why you’re likely to see shorter wait times (between 9-12 months) than with other agencies.

Another huge benefit of working with American Adoptions comes from our staff of licensed social workers who have great compassion and years of experience. Not only are our staff members highly trained professionals, but many members of our team are adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth mothers. They know what you’re going through and can share how they made it past those challenges.

Still not sure whether foster care adoption or infant adoption is right for you? We want to help, and you can talk to one of our specialists anytime, free of charge. We’re here to help 24/7, and you can connect with us today by calling 1-800-ADOPTION or completing our online form. 

Final Words About Foster Care Adoption Cost in Arkansas

Foster care adoption comes with its own challenges, but affording it isn’t one of them, thanks to the low cost to adopt a foster child in Arkansas. Though the cost is lower than the expense of private infant adoption, both adoption types have merit. If you’re considering foster care adoption, take time to thoroughly research the process and what it will mean for you. Above all, try not to make your decision solely based only on cost.

If you need to discuss your options regarding private infant adoption or foster care adoption cost in Arkansas, our professionals care ready to help. Call 1-800-ADOPTION or complete our online form to speak with one of our experienced adoption professionals today.

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