We appreciate your interest in serving as an adoptive family. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, Click Here. Most children in foster care have experienced trauma not only related to abuse and neglect, but also the trauma of removal from their family and everything that represents family to them. They need adoptive families that will care about them, will commit to providing a forever family.

The Arkansas Heart Gallery presented by Project Zero features a collection of professional photographs of children in foster care in Arkansas waiting to be adopted. Click here to learn more about these kids waiting to find their forever families.

Some of the general requirements for becoming an Adoptive Family include, but are not limited to:

Age

• Adoptive home applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
• For adoptive applicants, at least 21 years of age and no more than a 45-year age difference between the child and adoptive applicant is preferred.

Housing

• Space must be adequate to promote health and safety. Each bedroom should have at least 50 square feet of space per occupant.
• All firearms must be maintained in a secure, locked location and stored separately from ammunition.
• All water hazards and dangerous pets will be assessed. Safeguard measures will be implemented, as appropriate.
• Children of opposite sexes will have their own separate bedrooms if either child is four years old or older, except for a mother in foster care with her child(ren).
• Water must be provided by public water system or approved by the Department of Health.
• As second-hand smoke is detrimental to children's health, DCFS policy is that children shall not be placed in an adoptive home that permit smoking in the presence of children in care. In rare circumstances (e.g., relative placement), a waiver may be granted for smoking adoptive homes if it is in a child's best interest to be placed there.

Other Requirements

• Applicants must complete CPR and Standard First Aid certification.
• Applicants must complete 30 hours of pre-service training.
• Applicants must meet all Minimum Licensing Standards and DCFS Policy requirements
• Must be a resident of Arkansas to inquire about becoming a foster family home.

A few other important things for you to know:

• Because of the trauma these children have endured, the agency does not allow corporal punishment.
• Adoptive parents will need to recognize the religious beliefs of the foster child and support them in exercising their religious beliefs.

If you are interested in fostering (including foster and adoption), please click here to be directed to Every Child Arkansas Website. This inquiry is for adoptive homes only. If you feel you are ready to take the next step in becoming an adoptive family, please select the “Complete Adoption Inquiry Form” button below and provide the requested information.