Fost-Adopt Families

When it is determined that a child cannot return to their birth-family home, Boulder County Department of Social Services is responsible for finding a permanent, adoptive home.

In Boulder County, when a child is living in out-of-home care and the birth family is working to learn to parent their child, we ask the caregivers to become a Fost-Adopt Family for the child. That means that our Fost-Adopt Families agree to love and protect the child for as long as the child needs care. 

In cases where the birth parents are able to make changes to protect and care for their child, the care needed is temporary (Foster) and the child and parents are reunited. 

In cases where the birth parents are unable to make changes and cannot protect and care for their child, parental rights may be relinquished or terminated.  The child then needs a permanent family (Adoption). 

Our families who are interested in adopting are called Fost-Adopt or Resource Families. That means they give their hearts to a child, not knowing if the child will be returning to their birth family or if they will become legally-free for adoption.

Resource Parents provide the safety net of a possible permanent home to a child when his or her birth family's ability to become adequate parents is not possible.  By asking you, the adults, to take this risk, we reduce the losses that the child would have to endure if you were not available. 

While some of our Fost-Adopt placements result in finalized adoptions, it is important to understand that we cannot guarantee that outcome. 

Again, Fost-Adopt parenting is about the child.  For a child's sake, we ask you to take the risk.

Special-Needs Children

Every child who comes into care is considered a "special-needs" child.  When a child is taken from his or her family of origin, the child experiences significant grief and loss.  In addition, the child has suffered abuse and/or neglect within his or her family.

The children come into care with special needs that must be met.  These special needs vary in type and severity.

Some of the more common special needs include developmental delays, effects of prenatal drug and alcohol use, effects of early childhood trauma, attention difficulties and physical challenges. 

Every child is different and each situation is unique.  If any label can be placed on these children it is that they are survivors and have unwavering aspirations to thrive and succeed.

Legally-Free Children

Boulder County does have some children whose parental rights have already been relinquished or terminated. 

There is absolutely no risk that the child would be returned to his/her birth family. 

The term "legally free" refers to the legal status of a child who is free to be adopted. 

The child's birth parents have relinquished all rights to the child or they have had their parental rights terminated.

These children are currently waiting for their forever families.  You can learn more about the children who are legally free by viewing our Waiting Children.

Mail completed application to: Boulder County Dept. of Social Services Attn: Bonnie Lloyd 3400 Broadway Boulder, CO 80304