Families who wish to foster to adopt through Koinonia must complete an initial and clinical training, and additional paperwork and adoption interviews. Generally, the certification process takes about three to six months to complete but may take longer.

Foster to adopt, or adoptions through the foster care system, usually involves children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or other concerns for their safety. The children's ages may range from infants to teens, although most are toddlers or older. Many may have physical, emotional or other special needs. Children who have special needs may qualify for government-funded adoption subsidies to help families manage the costs of care and maintenance.

Families who wish to adopt through Koinonia have the opportunity to adopt foster children that are placed with the agency. Koinonia primarily works within the foster care system to assist children in finding permanent homes. Families wishing to adopt with Koinonia are certified as both foster and adoption-ready families in order to qualify to adopt the children that are placed with us.

Adoption is forever. It is a permanent proposition that requires a lifelong commitment by everyone involved. It is extremely important that your adoption is pursued for the right reasons. Anyone who plans to adopt must be prepared to properly deal with the significant changes and commitments that will be necessary to make parenting a success. Your commitment will be tested during the process and during your parenting years. Before deciding to adopt, a person must be certain they are ready and able to give a child all the love and attention they need and deserve. In the end, adoption can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

Koinonia works with adults who are at least 24 years of age and demonstrate the maturity and responsibility necessary to adopt a child.

In order to become certified as a foster to adopt family with Koinonia, a home study must be completed. The home study is an overall evaluation of a family and the types of children they are interested in adopting. Normally, it takes 60 - 90 days for the social worker to complete the home study once they have contacted you. In some cases, it may take longer if more interviews are required or more information is needed. In general, the following information is included in the home study:

Families who adopt foster children qualify for the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP). It is a federally funded, state administered, subsidy program for the adoption of special-needs children who might otherwise remain in long-term foster care.

The Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses form provides information regarding court costs, adoption fees, attorney fees and "other" expenses that may be reimbursed by states through their federally aided and state funded adoption assistance programs. It is left to the state to determine the nature or type of "other" expenses that would be appropriate for reimbursement. To claim reimbursement, applicants must complete the Adoption Expenses form (Adopt-230) and submit it prior to the adoption finalization. California currently reimburses families up to a maximum of $400 per child for the adoption of eligible children.

The Adoption Tax Credit is applied to federal taxes and allows parents to deduct certain adoption-related expenses from their federal tax bill. In 2008, the upper limit of the tax credit was increased to $11,650. The tax credit applies to private agency and attorney adoptions, international adoption, and the adoption of children from the U.S. foster care system. If you are interested, please visit www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p968.pdf for additional tax information.

Adopting parents have found that exploring the following questions has helped them to feel more prepared for the joys and challenges of raising their children: