Adoption Services
COBYS’ adoption services include adoption through foster care, as well as adoption preparation and finalization. Adoption is a joyous event, with fresh starts, unbounding optimism, and relief. But COBYS recognizes that even in this joy, there is loss. The foster care-to-adoption journey is not without its challenges. Having COBYS as a partner is invaluable. Through evidence-based training, unparalleled support, and compassionate care, we provide the chance for empowerment and hope.
What Is Adoption Through Foster Care?
When children who are placed into foster care cannot be reunited with their birth family, another form of permanency is sought. Some children remain with their foster family and are adopted by them. Sometimes a child is moved to a new home for the purpose of adoption.
As an affiliate of the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN), COBYS is part of a network of public and private organizations that share a common goal of providing permanent homes in a timely manner for Pennsylvania’s foster children.
COBYS is Looking for Adoptive Families with…
If you’ve ever considered becoming an adoptive parent, now is the time.
Learn about becoming a foster-to-adopt family with COBYS.
COBYS’ Role in the Foster-to-Adopt Process
Caring for foster and adopted children presents many challenges to families. Our servant spirit approach and manageable caseloads allow us to provide foster families with unparalleled support to succeed in parenting.
COBYS trains and approves families to care for children.
We receive referrals for children in foster care from county child welfare agencies. When a COBYS resource family is determined to be the best placement for a child, we assume responsibility for meeting the child’s physical, emotional, educational, cultural, and spiritual needs.
We support children and their foster families through regular visits, coaching, encouragement, and 24-hour emergency access to a caseworker.
COBYS provides financial assistance to foster families, which helps to cover foster children’s living and travel expenses.
Who Are the Children in Foster Care Needing an Adoptive Family?
Children are placed into potentially adoptive homes when they have been placed into foster care and cannot be reunified with their birth family. These children are:
- Between the ages of 0 and 21
- Of all racial and ethnic groups
- Of various religions
- Individuals (only children)
- Sibling groups
- Children who may have emotional, mental, behavioral, or medical needs
Who Are Foster-to-Adopt Families?
COBYS foster-to-adopt families are:
- Married or single people
- Families with or without biological children
- Families with or without a stay-at-home caregiver
- Willing to make lifetime commitment to a child or children
- Providers of love, guidance, nurturing, and structure that children need to heal from past experiences
- Open and willing to seek support from professionals
- Willing to learn to integrate a child’s culture into their family
- Families who acknowledge the importance of a child’s birth family
- Willing to parent an older child or sibling group
Become a Foster-to-Adopt Family
If you’d like to learn about becoming a foster-to-adopt family with COBYS, request more information or sign up for a free Information Session.
COBYS is a member of the Adoption Coalition of Lancaster County (ACLC).
