How many kids are you allowed??- foster/adopt

Every state is different when it comes to how many children you may have in the home, and even then, each state will specify how many of those kids can be foster kids, and how many can be biological or adopted kids. For example, in Louisiana, you are allowed a total of 8 kids, and that includes all kids in the home. However, in Alabama, you can have as many kids in the home as you have room for as long as you don't have more than 6 foster children at a time, and even then, you can get special permission from the state to go over that limit if it is due to the placement of a sibling group that the state doesn't want separated. So basically, here in Alabama, if you keep adopting foster children, then as soon as the adoption is finalized, then that opens up a spot for a new child to come. But like I said, every state is different on how they are set up, so you really would have to contact the state and ask them directly about the rules. But I will also add this, if you are adopting from another state, they can judge your home based on their standards if they choose to. For example, I have the room for up to 6 foster children, and I had inquired about a sibling group in California, but I was told that because I already have 6 children (3 bio, 3 adopted), which is the limit there, that I could not adopt through their state. So, I guess it all depends on where you live, and from which state you are adopting from. I hope this helps!!

Great info, "theivoryraven". So how can one work that from another State. WI has new "rules" to allow only four kids in a foster home. The agency who did my foster-to-adoptions won't update my homestudy because I have eight kids in the home. What if I wanted to do a homestudy and then apply for kids from ALabama? Would I be allowed to adopt Alabama kids based on that? How then could I get a homestudy since my agency won't do it? I suppose an agency that does homestudies for a cost could do it??? How would I find that info??

I know there are some private agencies that will do homestudies, but I have to warn you, it could be quite expensive. My sister went to a private agency and inquired about them doing her homestudy for a private adoption that had been arranged, and the agency wanted $1500 to do it. Even then, it might not be possible to go that route if the agency you go through judges your home based on the same standards as the state does. However, if you can find an agency willing to work with you, then it could work. If you want to adopt from Alabama, then you just have to be able to show them that you are an approved home and your new homestudy will let the folks in Alabama know how many kids you have been approved for. After that, it is just a matter of getting matched. But here is another warning for you, when you don't go through the state, the adoption process can become quite expensive, especially when it is across state lines. When a child is moved from one state to another, it requires a ICPC, which stands for Interstate Child Protection Contract. It is a huge mountain of paperwork, and I can tell you from experience, it takes them a LONG time to get it done. And they might expect you to pay for at least part of the cost. The first step I would suggest for you, is to find some local agencies and inquire about their child limit for your home. If you can find one that is willing to work with you and you feel comfortable with them, before starting the process, you should then contact the state of Alabama to be sure they would be willing to allow an interstate adoption through that agency. Here's a web site that has the contact info you will need for Alabama DHR: [url=http://dhr.alabama.gov/contact/Contact_Us.aspx]Alabama Department of Human Resources - Contact Us[/url]If Alabama says they could do it, then you could start the homestudy, and begin looking for any children you might be interested in. Here's the site for Alabama's Heart Gallery: [url=http://www.heartgalleryalabama.com/]Home- Heart Gallery Alabama[/url]Good luck!!

would you be willing to share more about this. We have 6 kids ( 3 sibling sets) and Maine says no more until the kids are 18. We hope to adopt another sibling group.. how do I proceed from here to have this law applied n our situation?

I dream of a big and united family. My husband supports me but partly. We have two children - Christian we adopted, I gave birth to Cameron. My husband and I really want 2 more children. I want to adopt. My husband wants one child, whom I will give birth and a second child to adopt. Unfortunately we don't have room for more children.