About National Adoption Month
National Adoption Month seeks to increase national awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the U.S. foster care system, and emphasize the value of youth engagement. This year's National Adoption Month theme is "Small Steps Open Doors." Pursuing permanency for teens can be challenging, but small steps along the way can make all the difference.
Key Facts*
- As of September 30, 2022, there were nearly 109,000 children waiting to be adopted who were at risk of aging out of foster care without permanent family connections.
- More than one in five children waiting for adoption were 13-17 years old.
- The average time in care for all children waiting to be adopted was 34.9 months.
- The average time in care for children waiting to be adopted after termination of parental rights was 19.1 months.
*Source: 2022 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
Success Stories
Common Adoption Myths
MYTH: "I am too old to adopt."
TRUTH: You're never too old to make a difference in a child's life! Family Services of NW PA welcomes all people 21 years of age and older to apply.
MYTH: "I cannot adopt unless I'm married or in a committed relationship."
TRUTH: Adoptive parents can be single, partnered, or married. They may have children in the home, have an empty nest, or this might be their first experience parenting.
MYTH: "I cannot adopt because I am a member of the LGBTQ community."
TRUTH: Yes, you can! Not all families look the same—which is great! Family Services of NW PA welcomes all members of the LGBTQ community, and never discriminates based on race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, or age.
MYTH: "Adoption is too expensive, and I cannot afford it."
TRUTH: You don't have to be rich to provide permanency to a child in need. You just need to be financially stable and ensure your home meets all safety standards
Adoption at Family Services of NW PA
Family Services of NW PA provides a variety of child placement services for both children and families, including adoption searches, child profiles, child preparation, home studies, and post-permanency services. As an affiliate of the Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN), Family Services of NW PA recruits and assesses families who wish to adopt children available through any Office of Children and Youth agency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Children available for adoption are typically ages 6 years or older and may have a history of physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect. They may also have medical or educational limitations or emotional problems.
Who Can Adopt:
To become a potential adoptive parent, applicants:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- If married, must be married for two years
- Are required to pass a physical examination
- Are screened through the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Childline and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Are required to provide proof of financial stability
- Must pass a home inspection
Family Services of NW PA does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, or age. We welcome people 21 years of age or older from all walks of life.
Post Permanency Services:
Post-Permanency Services are available for FREE to families who have provided permanency for children and youth. The goal is to help families identify their strengths, establish goals and locate community resources for ongoing support.
Services are provided by the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) and include:
- Case Assessment
- Case Advocacy
- Respite
- Support Groups
