I have seen some of the children on the website, and some of them have the diagnosis on there.  However, I am not sure I know what some of them are and some of them I have never even heard of.  How can I find out more?

There is a link associated with this website that you can access by clicking on the diagnosis.  It will give you a general overview of the diagnosis and possible treatments available.  However, each child’s specific treatment needs might be different.  When you get matched with a waiting child, you will be given full disclosure about that child’s diagnosis and required medical services. 

I am considering adopting a child with medical needs but I am worried that I wouldn’t know how to take care of him.  Is there any training?

After you are formally identified as the “prospective” adoptive parent (but prior to the actual placement of the child) you will be given all of his medical and health history, including diagnosis, treatments, mental and physical developments, etc. You will then receive specific training from the medical staff or caregiver who provides treatments to the child.  If it is decided that the child can be placed with you under a foster/adopt basis, you may be required to take special F-rate certification classes in order to take care of children with medical needs. 

These children are very dear, but it seems that some of them would require a lot of doctor appointments and medication.  Is there any financial help with this?

All children who are in the foster care system are eligible for Medi-cal which covers all of their medical treatments.  When the child is adopted, he or she is also eligible for continued Medi-cal coverage and a monthly payment under the Adoption Assistance Program up until the age of 18, or until age 21 if the child has qualifying medical needs.  Thereafter, the child may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits.

Some of these children are in wheelchairs and my house can’t accommodate a wheelchair.  What can be done about that?

If you are interested in a child who uses a wheelchair, you will have to retrofit your home to be wheelchair accessible.  Our Department is currently exploring funding sources to provide financial assistance to offset this obstacle.

If I need to retrofit or modify my car for a child, is there any financial assistance to do this?

Our Department is currently exploring funding sources to assist prospective adoptive families with this requirement.

I heard that financial assistance ends when the children turn 18.  If I adopt a child with medical needs, she will need help into adulthood.  Is there any financial assistance after she turns 18?

When the child is adopted, he or she is eligible for Medi-cal and a monthly grant under the Adoption Assistance Program up until age 18, or age 21 if the child has qualifying medical needs.  Thereafter they will be eligible to receive Social Security Benefits which include medical and financial assistance through the Social Security Administration. 

I am in the medical profession and I am interested in adopting a child that I have worked with.  I know that he is available, but would the fact that he is my patient keep me from being able to adopt him?

You may be considered to adopt the child that you are working with.  However, you will need to clarify the policy regarding possible conflict of interest with your employer. Please contact the child’s social worker and let him/her know of your intentions and call our Adoption hotline number at 1-888-811-1121 x 2 to start the adoption application process. 

I have heard of foster parents who are “F-rate certified”.  What is this?  Can I obtain that certification as well?

F-rate certification is a series of classes that you take which will provide you with additional training and funding, assisting you in meeting the needs unique to each child.  In order to obtain F-rate certification you will be required to take 16 hours of initial pre-service F-rate training, which is offered at no cost by our Department.  With the F-rate certification in place you may become eligible to have a child with special medical needs placed in your home.    

My birth child is a special needs child and has some medical problems.  Would this prevent me from adopting another child with medial needs?

No, you can adopt another child with medical needs.  In fact, we find that parents who are already taking care of children with special medical needs are more adept at meeting the needs of our waiting children who have medical needs. 

I have heard I may need to retrofit my house.  What does retrofitting mean?

Retrofitting is anything that can be done to your house to accommodate wheelchair access such as widening doors, adding wheelchair ramps, adding safety bars to shower stalls, etc.