Q: Are there children available now?
Q: What kinds of children are available for placement?
Q: How long will it be before a child moves into my home?
Q: How much does it cost to adopt?
Q: Is there financial assistance available for adoptive and foster families?
Q: Why do families choose AASK to adopt or become foster parents?
Q: Will I need a lawyer?
Q: When can I begin?

Q: Are there children available now?

A: Yes! There are thousands of children available: most are waiting in foster homes.

Q: What kinds of children are available for placement?

A: We assist families to accept placement of children from the foster care system. Annually in California, there are an estimated 86,500 children in foster care, 9,000 of whom are in need of a permanent adoptive home. An equal number of males and females are in foster care and they range from infancy to 18 years, however most children available for placement are between the ages of 3-12. Most of the children have African American (30%), Caucasian (30%) or Latino (30%) backgrounds. Individual children, as well as sibling groups consisting of 2-4 children are available.

Q: How long will it be before a child moves into my home?

A: Once your homestudy is completed, it usually ranges from a month to a year for your child to move in, depending on your family's interests and circumstances.

Q: How much does it cost to adopt?

A: AASK does not charge fees to adopt children from the foster care system.

Q: Is there financial assistance available for adoptive and foster families?

A: When children are in foster care, there is a monthly stipend provided for their care, as well as Medi-Cal, and other services that vary from county to county. When a child is adoptively placed, you will receive a monthly subsidy called AAP (Adoption Assistance Program) and Medi-Cal for medical expenses until the child is eighteen. You will learn more about these benefits and other services when you attend an AASK workshop.

Q: How does AASK help me bring a child home?

A: AASK has a distinguished history of building families since 1973. We are highly regarded in the adoption community. Many families return to AASK to adopt again, and enthusiastically recommend us to their friends. Here's why:

• You will be working with a small personal agency where the staff is accessible during the entire adoption process. Most families have the same social worker from start to finish.
• We help you move through each step efficiently as you welcome a child into your home.
• Your AASK social worker advocates for your needs: information about children; community resources; and on-going financial support for your child.
• AASK welcomes and embraces all families, including single, married, partnered, and GLBT parents.
• AASK's interactive classes are fun and teach you what you need to know.
• You will be assigned a buddy family, an experienced AASK parent, to talk with about the process and their experiences adopting their child or children.
• AASK has strong, long-standing relationships with the foster and adoption communities.
• As part of the AASK community, you will be offered many opportunities to keep in touch with other families: picnics, low-cost or free events, and post-adoptive services, like our award-winning adoption camp and newsletter.
• When they're done with their adoptions, parents stay in touch with each other and AASK by becoming Peer families, to spread the news to others.

Q: Will I need a lawyer?

A: No lawyer is necessary for finalizing your adoption. AASK prepares all necessary documentation.

Q: When can I begin?

A: Now! It's easy to get started. We work with you immediately. Call to reserve your space at the next adoption workshop. 510-553-1748, ext. 12