The Adoption Process

Families who desire to adopt through the Napa County Adoption Program will need to complete the steps in becoming a Resource Family. The evaluation requirements and timeline for adoption approval can vary, but essentially it includes a thorough assessment of the family’s ability to provide the child a safe and stable home environment. This assessment includes interviews, medical clearances, background evaluations and training specific to adoption topics.

Adoption Services

  • Identification of the best home if a child is unable to reunify with his or her parent(s)
  • Assessment of a child’s adoptability
  • Discussions with parents, relatives, children and caregivers about different permanency options for children in foster care
  • Matching children with relatives, non-related extended family members or licensed foster parents for adoption
  • Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) (funding from the California Department of Social Services) stipend evaluation and re-evaluation
  • Post-adoption services including family meetings, crisis intervention and referrals to services in the community

The children placed for adoption through Napa County Adoption Program are children who entered the child welfare system due to safety concerns with their parents or guardians. There are children of all ages who need a permanent family because they cannot safely return to their parents. As a result, there is a constant need for families who are willing to make a permanent commitment to a child or youth. AAP funding and health insurance is available to adoptive parents to help with the care of their adopted child.

Concurrent Planning

Concurrent caregivers are foster parents and prospective adoptive parents at the same time. Concurrent caregivers provide love, and ongoing care to children who are not able to live with their birth families. These are children whom the court may legally free for adoption.

Children in this program are foster children at the time of placement. Concurrent caregivers will be asked to cooperate with the reunification plan, which may include visits between the birth parents and the child(ren). These may take place either in or out of the home. If reunification with the birth family does not occur, concurrent caregivers may then pursue adoption.

More Information

For more information, visit the California Department of Social Services' Adoptions webpage.