Too many North Carolina youth don’t have a safe place to call home.
When the Department of Social Services (DSS) removes vulnerable children from unsafe households, they often have to keep the children in county offices overnight if a foster home is not available—compounding existing trauma.
Children deserve to grow up with a family in a stable and secure environment. And there’s a dire need for more foster and adoptive families in North Carolina who can provide one. Are you willing to be part of the solution?
Trauma Training
Agape offers individualized, trauma-informed training to help you nurture a safe home environment for your children.
Family Resources
Get access to the training, resources, and support you need to confidently navigate the welfare system.
Individualized Process
Begin and complete the required paperwork and education to foster or adopt on your own timeline.
Four Ways to Achieve Permanency
Reunification
When possible and safe, a child is reunited with their biological family after being placed in foster care.
Adoption
A child is adopted by a family once their biological parents’ rights have been terminated.
Kinship Care
A child is cared for by relatives or family friends who are not necessarily blood related or licensed foster parents.
Long-Term Foster Care
A youth (up to 21 years old) who doesn’t desire to be adopted can stay in a foster home until adulthood.
How to Become a Foster Parent in North Carolina
You can play a crucial part in a child’s journey to permanency by providing them with a stable, nurturing home. Even a temporary situation can have a lifelong impact on a child in foster care.
If you’re ready to take that next step, Agape’s supportive team of experts is here to assist your foster care journey.
“Our Agape of NC social worker, Kia Carter, has been the most amazing support system! We were able to build our relationship with her as we went through training, and she really got to know us and our strengths and needs. She has helped guide us through every step of the process and is always available when we have questions or don’t understand something.”
Foster-to-Adopt
At Agape, we understand you may want a child in foster care to become a part of your family forever.
If your primary goal of fostering is adoption, we will help connect you with children available for adoption.
While you are never required to adopt a child in foster care, adoption is an exciting opportunity to welcome a child into a permanent, loving home.
Start your foster journey to adoption today.
How much does foster-to-adopt cost?
There is no cost to adopt a child in foster care. Unlike international and private domestic adoptions, the child’s county incurs all fees involved in the adoption process.
What is the process for adopting from foster care?
You must foster a child for at least six months before starting the adoption process.
Can I adopt an infant who's in foster care?
Infants in foster care are rarely available for immediate adoption. However, many infants placed in foster care eventually become available for adoption.
Get Your Questions Answered
Have more questions? Call us at (919) 673-7816 or email Kimberly Scott.
Other Ways to Help
Become a Community Partner
Equip your church or organization to support foster and adoptive families in your area.
Provide Wrap-Around Care
Share your gifts or talents to meet foster and adoptive families’ urgent needs in your community.
Start a Ministry in Your Area
Help spread awareness on foster care and adoption and minister to families near you.