Adoption Services

Responsibility & Services on Behalf of Foster Children

Some foster children will never go back to their birth family. We are committed to the principle that every one of these children deserves a "forever family." We have the firm belief that a safe, permanent, and nurturing home can be found for any child who needs one. We also firmly believe that we are responsible for enabling this. Adoption Services are designed to find permanent homes for children and to provide support to the families who adopt them.

Adoption List

Children waiting for adoption include:

  • Children with special needs, such as physical, mental, and emotional disabilities
  • Sibling groups and teenagers
  • Minority children, especially African American males

Financial Assistance

Many children available for adoption are eligible for monthly maintenance payments, medical benefits, and other services. Adoption Assistance is available for all children whose status and special needs meet certain criteria.

Children With Unique Needs

Children who are considered special needs include children with:

  • Children of Color
  • Developmental Disabilities
  • Emotional Disabilities
  • Mental Disabilities
  • Older Children
  • Physical Disabilities
  • Sibling Groups

The Department of Social Services determines individual eligibility based on specific criteria. The agency then works with adoptive parents to meet needs through an adoption assistance agreement. The monthly adoption assistance payment in North Carolina is computed on a graduated level based on the age of the child.

State Counties' Payment Structure

Most of North Carolina's 100 county Department of Social Services have raised their rates to the following payment structure:

  • $475 for children ages 0-5
  • $581 for children ages 6-12
  • $634 for children ages 13-18

Supplemental adoption assistance payments for HIV positive children are also available and are set at the following level:

  • $800 per month/child with indeterminate HIV status
  • $1000 per month/child confirmed HIV-infected, asymptomatic
  • $1200 per month/child confirmed HIV-infected, symptomatic
  • $1600 per month/child terminally ill with complex care needs