A Home for Every Child and Youth
Children of all ages are waiting to be adopted. Mesa County Department of Human Services Child Welfare welcomes responsible, caring adults who are ready to share their time, hearts, and lives with our waiting children. When you adopt a waiting child, you give a permanent home to a child in need. All children deserve a loving, committed, safe, and permanent family.
The goal of Foster Care is the reunification of families, whenever possible. The goal of Adoption is to find permanent homes for children who are not able to return to their families. Our adoption program is a Foster-to-Adopt model.
After raising a big beautiful family, Byas and Lana Cast decided they wanted children in their home again, so they became foster parents. While adoption was not part of their original plan, Byas and Lana were moved to adopt twins when it became clear they would need a permanent home.
Fostering to Adopt
Adopting from foster care is similar to other types of adoption in that after all the decision-making, paperwork, and preparation are completed, a dream of a family is fulfilled. However, there are important consideration for foster care adoptions:
The goal for Colorado's children/youth is to find the right family for each unique child/youth based on his/her life experiences. Not every family will be a match for a child.
Though it is possible to adopt a baby from foster care, the children who are available for adoption generally range from toddler to 21. The median age is eight years old.
Adoption of any kind involves trauma and loss that impacts an individual throughout his/her life. Potential adoptive parents need an understanding of how to provide a supportive, healing home for a child/youth.
Monetary and post-adoptive support is available to families who adopt through foster care.
Because all children in foster care have experienced some form of trauma, parents who adopt from foster care undergo specific training to understand the effects of trauma and help children heal.
Adopting a child is a rewarding, yet complex process. Successful foster and adoptive parents have many qualities that are similar to all good parents. Understanding the challenges children have faced and not taking their behavior personally is critical to being a successful foster and adoptive parent. Flexibility and humor go a long way as well!
Being willing to seek out and use support services, learn new parenting techniques, and advocate for your child will be integral to your success. When you are ready, the Mesa County Foster Care Team is here to guide and support you.
Help and High-Level Support
For families who are interested in adopting, it's important to know the process of becoming a certified foster home and that adoption is not always guaranteed.
Adoption is a process that creates a binding, legal relationship between parent and child. You are strongly encouraged to consult with an adoption attorney while navigating any formal legal process, including adoption.
If your family is unable to pay the cost of an attorney, there may be financial help available. Please contact the Mesa County Foster Care & Adoption team for support and information.
The legal process of adopting, from application to finalization, can be lengthy. It may take six months or more from the time you apply before a child is placed in your home; it will take at least six to twelve months after that before the adoption may be finalized in court.
To learn more about the process of adoption in Colorado, click here.
The Colorado Heart Gallery
Meet the children and teens in Mesa County who are looking for a family.
Click a photo to learn more.
ALENA
ZACKARY
MASON
CHLOE & RILEY
Are you curious about the Foster to Adopt journey?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I adopt my foster child? ↓
If a child in your home is not able to be safely reunified with their biological parents and parental rights have been terminated, that child is then legally free to be adopted..
If I’m only interested in adopting a baby or young child, what are my options? ↓
If you are only interested in adopting a baby and are not open to being a foster parent, we recommend that you contact a private adoption agency.
How much does it cost to adopt a child through Mesa County Child Welfare? ↓
There is little to no cost to adopt through Mesa County Child Welfare. Legal fees are reimbursable up to $2000.
Are services available for the child and family after an adoption has been finalized? ↓
Yes, Mesa County Child Welfare wants to ensure that your adoption experience is successful and permanent. We are here to support you through the challenges that your family may face as your child grows up. Please visit our Ongoing Support page for resources and contacts.
My adopted child is asking questions about his/her birth parents. How can we get in touch with them? ↓
Please refer to Colorado Department of Human Services Adoption Page for further information on this process.
Resources & Documents
for parents & families that have started the journey