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TEXAS ADOPTION STATISTICS & REQUIREMENTS

Bob Leonard Law Group, PLLC

Nov 20, 2021

TEXAS ADOPTION STATISTICS & REQUIREMENTS

It’s National Adoption Day! Adoption is such a life changing decision. Every adoption is different and no adoption is easy. We've gathered helpful statistics, guidelines and requirements to help you more easily navigate your Texas adoption.

ADOPTION STATISTICS

  • According to DFPS, 4,586 children were adopted in Texas during the 2021 fiscal year. That number is down from the 5,270 children adopted in 2020 and the 6,107 adopted in 2019. Up to date monthly data on children in DFPS care
  • Relatives adopt more than half of the children and teens in Texas. 
  • The number of children exiting Texas foster care has been steadily increasing since FY 2016 until last year.
  • Older children in Texas are not as likely to be adopted as younger children.
  • Foster care was intended to be temporary, but many Texas children remain in care for years.


Information provided by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. 

Licensing requirements for foster or adoption

  • Be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible mature adults,
  • Complete an application (staff will assist you, if you prefer),
  • Share information regarding their background and lifestyle,
  • Provide relative and non-relative references,
  • Show proof of marriage and/or divorce (if applicable),
  • Agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members,
  • Allow staff to complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all adults in the household, and
  • Attend free training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children.

The training provides an opportunity for the family and DFPS to assess whether foster care or adoption is best for the family. The family may withdraw from the meetings at any time. There is no charge for the meetings. Foster/adoptive parents generally train together.

Additional Foster Care Requirements

In addition to the basic requirements, foster parents must:

  • Have adequate sleeping space.
  • Allow no more than 6 children in the home including your own children or children for whom you provide day care.
  • Agree to a nonphysical discipline policy.
  • Permit fire, health and safety inspections of the home.
  • Vaccinate all pets.
  • Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification.
  • Obtain TB testing as required by the local Health Department for household members.
  • Attend 20 hours or more of training each year.

Responsibilities of Adoptive Families

  • Provide daily care and nurturing of children 
  • Advocate for children in their schools and communities;
  • Provide a positive role model to birth families and
  • Help children learn life skills.
  • Provide permanent homes and a lifelong commitment to children into adulthood
  • Provide for the short-term and long-term needs of children
  • Provide for children's emotional, mental, physical, social, educational, and cultural needs, according to each child's developmental age and growth
  • May become certified as a foster family and accept children who are not legally free for adoption, but whose permanency plan is adoption

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