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Children in Foster Care Waiting for Adoption

On average, there are about 420,000 children in the U.S. foster care system. In almost all cases, children enter foster care because they have been neglected, abused or abandoned by their parents or guardians.

To help you better understand why these children are in the foster care system and just how many children in foster care available for adoption in California there are, we’ve created this guide.

Although American Adoptions of California exclusively completes private domestic adoptions, we'd be more than happy to answer your questions. Contact us online at any time to get free information now.

Children in Foster Care Available for Adoption in California [By the Numbers]

There are roughly 60,000 children in the California foster care system. Around 5,500 children are adopted each year, but many will eventually live with their biological families if a judge deems the biological parents sufficiently responsible to care for their child again.

But, plenty of children in foster care have had adverse childhood experiences and need the support and love of a new family.

Though about 34% of children are placed with relatives, about 2,000 children in California need an adoptive family every day.

Why Are So Many Children Still in California Foster Care?

From a general perspective, most children in the foster system fall under one of the following categories:

  • An older child

  • A child who has a medical condition

  • A part of a sibling group that must be adopted together

  • A child of a non-white racial or ethnic group

  • A child who has a disability

Hopeful adoptive parents who want to adopt an infant or newborn may want to consider domestic infant adoption instead. This is the type of adoption that American Adoptions coordaintes, so feel free to get in touch with us at any time.

Older Foster Children Up for Adoption in California

The age of children in foster care waiting for adoption generally ranges from 1 to 21 years old. There are nearly 11,945 children between 11 and 15 in the system, and there are 11,150 children between ages 6 to 11. In other words, these are the two most common age groups in the foster care system.

Children in Foster Care with Siblings

Approximately two-thirds of children in U.S. foster care are a part of a sibling group. Many of these children will be separated from their siblings.

Research suggests that siblings placed together experience:

  • Fewer moves

  • Lower risk of failed placements

  • Many emotional benefits

Because it’s often best to keep these sibling groups together, people who adopt from the foster system usually adopt both, or all, of the siblings. If you are interested in adopting an older child or a sibling group, then foster care adoption is likely the right path for you.

Foster Children up for Adoption in California with Past Trauma

The vast majority of children in foster care have some type of trauma, such as:

  • Neglect

  • Physical or sexual abuse

  • Domestic violence

Trauma have a significant impact on children’s behavior and development. A traumatized child may not feel secure or safe for a very long time. It’s common for them to display aggressive or defiant behavior toward others.

It will take time, patience and therapeutic support to address and overcome this trauma.

To prepare for this, you will go through many programs and apply for various licenses to foster or adopt children in foster care available for adoption in California.

Post-adoption support services will also be available to you.

Where to Find Children in Foster Care Waiting for Adoption in California

Where you live in California will affect which foster care adoption photolisting you need to research. But, to get you started, we’ve listed a couple of sites that feature foster children for adoption in California:

Adopting from foster care can be an amazing way to start or grow your family. For more information about foster care adoption in California, contact the Department of Social Services in your county. 

Why Hopeful Adoptive Families Choose Private Infant Adoption in California

Adopting a baby from foster care is rare, so, if you would like to adopt an infant, you may want to consider a private domestic adoption professional, such as American Adoptions.

With American Adoptions, you will have all the resources and support you need for your private infant adoption.

If you are still unsure which type of adoption is best for you, then you can contact us today to get more free information now.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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