Yes, indeed.  The greatest demand at the moment is for more adolescent homes, both foster and fost-adopt. 

We encourage all prospective resource families to consider becoming a parent for Boulder County youth. 

These older children need loving and stable homes in which they can connect before embarking out into the adult world.  They also need a family "to come home to."

As long as your income is sufficient to provide for yourself and other family members, you may be considered for a foster or adoptive placement. 

There are only a few nominal expenses involved with fostering or adopting through Boulder County Department of Social Services. 

In fact, all foster homes receive a monthly stipend for the child's living expenses and special-needs adoptions may be accompanied by a monthly subsidy. 

Additionally, the child's medical expenses are covered by Medicaid both in foster care and in adoption.

The minimum age requirement for both foster and adoptive parents is 21.  As long as you can safely care for a child, there is no maximum age limit.

No. Boulder County does not restrict anyone from fostering or adopting based on his or her relationship status. 

In fact, many successful foster and adoptive families have been single moms and dads.

No.  Foster and adoptive parents can own their own home or rent an apartment or house. 

The main criteria is that they are able to provide a safe and stable environment for a child.

No.  Boulder County attorneys and Social Services staff follow the legal process required to free children for adoption if they cannot be safely reunified with their birth families.

Boulder County Department of Social Services does encourage open adoption arrangements for all new families. 

We have found that a meeting between the resource family and biological family can reduce the stress and trauma that children often experience after being placed in the child welfare system. 

If a child understands that both families are supportive of his or her situation, he or she is more quickly able to feel comfortable and secure in the new home. 

The contact may range from an annual exchange of letters to occasional visits.  The type and frequency of contact is determined by the adoptive parents.

Throughout the homestudy assessment, prospective families will be able to discuss the types of children for whom they are willing to care. 

When a child is ready for placement, Boulder County's team of Resource Family Specialists or Adolescent Retention Specialists will match the child and his or her needs to the new family's abilities. 

The prospective family is then contacted and given in-depth information about the child and his or her needs. 

At that time the family and agency staff make the decision to either proceed with the placement or wait for a child that may be a better match.