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ADOPTION RESOURCE PROGRAM

There are currently more than 650 children in the state of Kentucky that are waiting to find their family. By making these children our top priority, we are committed to finding forever homes that will provide them with the love and nurturing they will need to become thriving individuals later in life.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Family Enrichment Center's Adoption Resource Program was created to build on the strengths and meet the needs of current and prospective foster and adoptive families in the Two Rivers Region.​ We are a firm believer that EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING when it comes to meeting the needs of children in the state's care and the families that welcome them into their homes. Not everyone is able to adopt or provide foster care, but there are so many ways to be involved and supportive of those who are. 

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Choose a pathway that best describes your level of interest and find your something

LEARN MORE ABOUT FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION

Learn More

​The following information is from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services' KY FACES website. For more detailed information click here. ​

Certification Requirements:

There are several requirements for adults who want to become foster or adoptive parents. These requirements may vary slightly by agency, but most require some variation of the following:

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  • Interested families must attend an informational meeting. Call Family Enrichment Center at 270-781-6714 to find out when and where the next meeting will be held. 

  • Applicants must be at least 21 years old

  • Parents can be married or single

  • Parents should be financially stable and have an income (separate from any financial support offered to foster or adoptive parents for the child's needs) sufficient to meet their family's needs

  • Applicants must be able to provide a safe, secure, and healthy home for a child

  • Parents must be in good physical and mental health

  • The home must meet requirements for housing safety and space

  • All adults in the home must successfully complete training requirements, which include; an informational meeting, 15 hours of preparation, training and web based trainings.  In addition to the training, all adults will complete paperwork to help them make an informed decision about whether fostering and adopting is appropriate for their family.

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The Certification Process: 

  • Attend an informational meeting and complete a basic screening questionnaire before continuing with the process. 

  • Complete a minimum of 15 hours of group training provided by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, plus additional online training hours.

  • Complete a background check for each adult household member. Record checks include but are not limited to National Crime Information Database (NCID), sex offender registry address check, fingerprinting, and a child abuse/neglect check for each state of residence during the past five years.

  • Complete a home study facilitated by a local Recruitment and Certification worker. This will be completed through a minimum of three in-home consultations. Additional pertinent documentation will be requested as needed. 

 

The training, evaluation, and approval process normally takes six to nine months. The amount of time until a family receives a child depends on how flexible the family is about the type of child they wish to parent. Foster parents may receive a child shortly after approval. Adoptive placements generally take longer because the move to an adoptive home must be planned and gradual so that both the child and the family have time to adjust.

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Costs to Foster and Adopt:

Some private agencies may charge a fee to cover the cost of the training, evaluation, and approval process. Other private agencies are free. The state social services agency’s foster care and adoption program is free. The only cost that may be associated with the training and approval process for many agencies is the cost of the required physical examination. Regardless of your choice of agencies, you are not obligated to become a foster or adoptive parent simply because you attend the program.

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Take the First Step:

Complete our inquiry form to get started or ask more questions. We are here to help! 

RESOURCES & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Training & Support

Training Opportunities:

Our trainings typically are scheduled on the 2nd Thursday of each month and are held virtually from 6-8 PM, CST. Trainings cover a variety of topics ranging from managing stress and self-care, to Trust-Based Relational Intervention and understanding secondary trauma. 

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To view upcoming trainings and register online click here

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Get Connected!

Connect with other parent groups and support networks in Kentucky and the Two Rivers Region.

Provide Support
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HOW YOU CAN HELP

Supporting families that have opened their hearts and home through foster care or adoption can be as simple or hand-on as you'd like. If an effort to help bridge the gap between those who would like to offer support and the families who need it, we've partnered with local organizations and subject matter experts to compile a list of frequently needed items and 

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Donate Supplies and Resources

For a full list of needed items click here. Items may be brought to our office located at 1133 Adams Street, Bowling Green, KY.

  • Fast-food or other restaurant gift cards

  • Basic toiletry items such as body wash, loofas, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. 

  • Blankets--allages/sizes 

  • NEW duffle bags or backpacks

  • Underwear--all sizes (Don't forget adult sizes for teens!) 

  • Inflatable twin-size mattresses 

  • Sheet sets 

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Connect with Nona's Nest through Facebook. They provide clothing and other necessities to families serving children in out of home care. 

 

Contribute Your Time or Form a Partnership​​

  • Offer to babysit so parents can complete errands child-free or enjoy a much needed evening out.

  • Arrange a meal drop-off for families. Click here to get connected with a family. 

  • Become a respite care provider. This requires special training and a home-study but is a lifeline for foster families who need a break. 

  • Become a Parent Partner. Parent Partners form a mentoring relationship with foster families to maintain regular contact throughout their journey for encouragement and support.

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