Path to ParentingYour Personal Introduction to Fostering or Adopting

a Child with Special Needs

Just by reading this, you’ve taken an important first step on the path to opening your heart and home to a child with special needs. How do you know if it’s the right choice for you and your family? The decision to foster or adopt a child is a different experience for everyone. It becomes a personal journey, and there are many ways to get there.

For some, the path to fostering or adopting a child with special needs is clearly defined – it leads you right where you want to be. For others, the journey can start along one path and end up somewhere entirely different – perhaps better than you imagined. Whatever path you follow, there are sure to be questions along the way.

For starters, what does the term “special needs” mean? The term can be used to describe a broad range of medically diagnosed conditions. A child may have a learning disability or developmental delay. A child may have behavioral challenges or a physical impairment. Successfully caring for a child with special needs can be challenging, but also very rewarding. There’s nothing better than seeing the joy on a child’s face who knows you love them.

This guide seeks to answer some of the common questions related to caring for a child with special needs. Much of the information you will find here comes from foster and adoptive families who have traveled similar paths before.

If you decide to open your heart and home to a child with special needs, know that you will not be alone in this incredible journey. There are many great organizations and people ready to give you the support and assistance you need to be successful.

If you’re ready to take the next step, turn the page and find out where your path may lead. Your journey begins now!

~ Florida’s Foster and Adoptive Families

MyFLFamilies.com/SpecialHeart

CONGRATULATIONS

Contact your local foster care agency

STARTS HERE

Attend an orientation to learn more

Complete the application and

background checks

Participate in a Home Study

Attend local parent

support group

meeting

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Your Path to Fostering or Adopting...

Through a defined series of steps, you can be on the path to parenthood.

MyFLFamilies.com/SpecialHeart

Attend free Foster/

Adoptive Parent

Training

There is help for families who have made the commitment to foster or adopt a child in foster care with special needs. Here are just a few of the organizations and how they can help you.

Florida Medicaid

Under Florida Medicaid’s new program, called Managed Medical Assistance (MMA), most Medicaid recipients will receive their medical services through a managed care plan. Managed care plans pay for doctor visits and other health care services, such as hospital care or prescription drugs

Recipients with certain diagnoses or conditions may be eligible to enroll in a specialty plan. Children who are in the care of the Department of Children and Families, can choose to enroll in the statewide Child Welfare Specialty plan, one of the available MMA plans in their region, or in the Children’s Medical Services Network plan, if the child also has an eligible chronic condition.

For additional information please visit: www.ahca.myflorida.com/SMMC

Will I be able to afford the costs associated with caring for a child with special needs?Children with special needs may require additional appointments, therapy, equipment, or medications.

However, there are numerous services available to help with financial costs. These supports are in place to assure that the needs of children can be met without placing a financial hardship on the family. This way, families can focus on caring for the child.

support

MyFlFamilies.com/SpecialHeart

Maintenance Adoption Subsidy

A monthly payment made to an adoptive family for support and maintenance of a child with special needs until the child’s 18th birthday. Children who receive a subsidy are also eligible for Medicaid.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)

APD is the state agency responsible for serving the needs of Floridians with specific developmental disabilities. APD works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people who have developmental disabilities and their families in identifying and obtaining supports and services.

APD serves Floridians with the following disabilities:

• Autism

• Cerebral palsy

• Spina bifida

• Intellectual disabilities

• Down syndrome

• Prader-Willi syndrome

• Children age 3-5 who are at high risk of a developmental disability

For additional information please visit: apd.myflorida.com

support

Does it take a long time to become a foster parent?The average time to become licensed is typically 90 days or less, including completion of training, background check and home study. Community

Based Care agencies offer flexible training schedules, sometimes even individualized training depending on your family’s needs. The home study has greatly improved to minimize the impact on your privacy while ensuring your home is a safe place for the child.

Do you have to be young or wealthy to adopt?Of course not. Many of our most successful adoptive parents are older or have modest incomes. Age is not an automatic disqualification, and, in fact,

older parents may be a better match for an older child or teenager. Children need loving homes, not necessarily wealthy ones.

My autistic son’s smile lights up my day, and the first time he gave me a hug, I thought my heart would burst. It’s not an easy job, but if not me, then who? What else should I be doing that would be more valuable than taking care of this special boy?

— Parent of a special needs child

Information for Foster and Adoptive FamiliesThere are lots of great places to go for information. Here are a few places to start.

Adoption Contacts http://centerforchildwelfare.fmhi.usf.edu/adoptions/AdoptionsbyCounty.shtml

Adoptive Parent Resources http://centerforchildwelfare.fmhi.usf.edu/Adoptions/AdoptiveParentResources.shtml

Foster Parent Resources http://centerforchildwelfare.fmhi.usf.edu/OutofHomeCare/FosterParent.shtml

Post-adoption help http://www.adoptflorida.org/contactPACounselor.shtml

For many other resources, including trainings, documents, publications, and links to support networks, foster and adoptive parents can go to:

http://centerforchildwelfare.fmhi.usf.edu/index.shtml

Bubble FUN

Most training videos and webcasts have resource documents and links attached on that particular topic.

http://centraldirectory.org

CENTRAL DIRECTORY connects you to a live person who can

help you find services in your area

1-800-654-4440

Can a foster parent adopt a child in their care?52% of adoptions happen with foster parents who cared for the child as a foster family first. However, foster placements don’t always lead to

adoption. Almost half of children in foster care eventually return to their biological families.

Connect

Additional resources available at: www . QPIFlorida.com The Quality Parenting Initiative provides a network of support for foster parentsYou can access Presentations on Attachment, Behaviors, Medical Needs, Advocating, and Working with Biological Families.

Florida Adoption Hotline

1-800-96ADOPT

Are we on our own once we begin fostering?There are many types of support available to

foster parents, especially those who open their homes to children with special needs. Help includes specialized training to help you meet the needs of the child, counseling, foster parent support groups, and online training to help with many other special needs topics.

Connect with these statewide

organizations to help your child

achieve their fullest potential.

Our Pride and Joy!

Department of EducationPreK-12 educational programs and

services to meet the academic needs of the child

Fldoe.org

Children’s Medical ServicesPrograms to help children with special

needs, including Early Steps

Floridahealth.gov/ AlternateSites/CMS-Kids

Agency for Persons with DisabilitiesConnects children with developmental

disabilities to resources and services

apd.myflorida.com

Office of Early LearningConnects families to quality early

childhood education and programs for children ages birth to 5

www.floridaearlylearning.com

Agency for Health Care Administration

Manages Florida Medicaid through the statewide Medicaid Managed Care

Program

ahca.myflorida.com

Connect

Adopting a special needs child is hard. The HARD is also what makes it GREAT! Knowing I can plant kisses on his face without him saying 'stop it mom' makes my day, every day!!

— Parent of a special needs child

Parent ChecklistIf you’ve made it this far, you may be interested in finding out more about the next steps in this life-changing journey. It’s time to talk to someone who can help guide you further. A great place to start is with your local Community Based Care (CBC) agency. Before you call, here are a few things to consider beforehand:

Talk with your family— Sit down with family members and talk about what it would mean to everyone involved if you open your home and hearts to a child with special needs. Be sure to talk about the positive impact, as well as some concerns you may each have. Hear each other out with an open mind.

Write down questions ahead of time — Make a list of some of the questions that come to mind. Remember – there are no “wrong” questions. This is a big commitment.

Ask to speak with foster or adoptive families — Ask your CBC representative if there are other families who would be willing to share their experiences in caring for a child with special needs.

Consider the timing — Think about any major events coming up for you or your family over the next year. Be prepared to discuss with your CBC representative the timing of how and when this will all happen.

Pick some dates — Have your calendar available so you can be prepared to schedule some dates and times to become more informed about this wonderful opportunity.

Do I need to qualify as a medical foster home in order to foster or adopt a child with special needs?No. Many traditional foster homes care for children with special needs who do not require complex medical care.

Medical foster homes tend to care for children who need more intensive services and medical assistance.

Find your local CBC:www.MyFLFamilies.com/SpecialHeart

ADD/ADHD:Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder. Typically children with ADHD have developmentally inappropriate behavior, including poor attention skills, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These characteristics arise early in childhood, typically before age seven, are chronic, and last at least six months. Children with ADHD may also experience difficulty in the areas of social skills and self-esteem.

Adoption:If the parents’ rights are terminated, a child in foster care will be available for adoption. Foster parents are able to adopt foster children in some circumstances. Relatives are also able to adopt the children whose parents’ rights are permanently terminated.

Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder:Autism is a developmental disability that significantly affects verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction.  Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term for all Autism-related disorders.

Behavioral Disability:A term used to describe the behavior of children who exhibit difficulties with social interactions and inappropriate behavior that interferes with social interactions and learning.

Case Management Organization (CMO): A CMO contracts with a Community Based Care agency (CBC) to provide services to children and families under state supervision.

Case Management:The ongoing follow-up and review of the safety and well-being of a child who has been removed from parents or caregivers. A child who is in out-of-home care will see a case manager at least once a month, and the case manager will work with the parents, the child and the child’s current caregivers to determine the child's best interests and services needed.

Community Based Care Agency (CBC):These agencies contract with DCF to manage prevention, intervention, foster care and adoption services. There are 20 CBCs across the state.

Deaf-Blind:Deaf-Blind refers to a combination of hearing and visual impairments, that can cause communication and other developmental and educational challenges.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing:A hearing loss so severe that speech cannot be understood aurally, even with a hearing aid; some sounds may still be perceived.

Dependency Court:The court system in Florida that makes decisions regarding the best interests and welfare of children who must be removed from their home.

These will REALLY help me understand!Glossary

Dependent Child: A child who has been removed from their home and needs to be under state supervision. This child could live with a relative, non-relative or in foster care.

Developmental Disability:Any physical or mental condition that begins before the age of 18 years, causes the child to acquire skills at a slower rate than his/her peers, is expected to continue indefinitely, and impairs the child’s ability to function in society. 

Florida Abuse Hotline: Any person in Florida who suspects a child is being abused, neglected or abandoned, or who suspects a child has been a victim of any crime, must report that information to the Florida Abuse Hotline. The Hotline number is 1-800-962-2873.

Foster Care:Licensed foster care is made up of individuals or families who have requested to be able to take dependent children into their home. Foster homes are licensed and inspected regularly, and foster parents go through a thorough home study process before being approved.

Foster Child:A dependent child who is has been removed from their parent or guardian and is living in a licensed foster home.

Foster Parent:A foster parent has been through a home study interview and training process to ensure if they can safely care for abused and neglected children in their home.

Group Home:A home for foster children that is licensed by the state. Group homes are run either by house parents who live with the children, or by shift staff who transfer in and out every 24 hours.

Guardian ad Litem:A volunteer advocate for a dependent child in court. This advocate is represented by an attorney and speaks to the judge on behalf of the child they represent.

Home Study: All prospective foster and adoptive parents must undergo a home study, which determines if the family is able to provide a safe and caring environment for a child or children.

Individual Education Plan (IEP):A written education plan for students ages 5 to 22 with disabilities, developed by a team of professionals, (teachers, therapists, etc.) and the child’s parent(s). It is reviewed and updated yearly. It contains a description of the child’s level of development, learning needs, goals and objectives, and services the child will receive.

Very good defin it i ons here —www.fo steringflorida .com

Glossary

Medicaid:The federal program that funds health insurance for low-income families and children. Medicaid provides the health and dental care that is needed for children in foster care.

Medical Foster Care:Florida’s Medical Foster Care Program (MFC) is a coordinated effort between the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families, and the Agency for Health Care Administration to provide family based care for medically complex children under age 21 who are in the custody of DCF either through voluntary placement or through a court order under foster care or shelter status.

Medically Complex:A child who has chronic, debilitating diseases or conditions of one or more physiological or organ systems that make the individual dependent upon 24-hour a day medical, nursing, health supervision, or intervention.

Medically Fragile:A child who is medically complex and technologically dependent on medical apparatus and / or procedures to sustain life.

Out-of-home Care:This term includes all children who have been removed from their home and are living with a relative, non-relative or in foster care.

Parent Preparation Pre-service Training:Between 20 and 30 hours of training are required to become a licensed foster parent. This training helps the foster parent understand the background of children who have been abused and neglected and learn ways to deal with their behaviors.

Quality Parenting Initiative:A training program that seeks to have engaged, involved, well-trained and qualified foster parents who will help children in foster care achieve their fullest potential.

Special Need:In relation to children with disabilities, the need involves a medical, physical, or emotional disability based on birth family history.

Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care:Intensive treatment services provided to children with emotional disturbances that reside in a state licensed foster home. Specialized Therapeutic services are appropriate for long-term treatment and short-term crisis intervention. Services must include clinical intervention by the specialized therapeutic foster parent(s), a clinical staff person, and a psychiatrist.

Termination of parental rights:This is a court decision made if the parents have committed an egregious act against a child or refuse to complete the case plan to show they will be able to safely care for their child.

Very good de fin it i ons here —www.fo sterin g flo rid a . c om

Glossary