What are the support services for adoptive parents?

For families who choose to adopt there are a wide range of post adoption support services including adoption tax credits, adoption subsidies and financial assistance, respite care and adoption support groups and training and support post adoption. The available assistance could vary by state and may vary based on the needs of your child. For instance, if you adopt a highly special needs child from the foster care system you may be eligible for monthly financial support.

Tax credits for adoption

One of the biggest federal benefits of adoption is the adoption tax credit offered to families. According to AdoptUSforKids, “The adoption tax credit allows adoptive parents of children in foster care to deduct adoption expenses from their federal taxes such as necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling expenses, and other expenses directly related to the legal adoption of an eligible child.” Although the tax credit does not increase your federal tax refund, it can offset your federal taxes. Talk to the IRS if you have additional questions about adoption tax credits and how you can apply for them.

Respite Care for adoption

Next, state benefits for adoption can also include respite care, which is a short term care for children who have been adopted which gives the adoptive parents a break. Many cities and states also provide access to support groups or access to online communities that can help adoptive parents gain the support, education and advice they need by networking with other families who have also adopted.

Post training programs for adoptive parents

During the adoption process all adoptive parents will have to complete training, but training programs and support is also available post adoption. Common training available through state and local resources include information about the adoption process, grief and loss, transracial parenting, parenting a child with ADHD, understanding attachment, information on the dynamics of domestic violence, parenting children who have been exposed to violence, information on running aways, sexualized behavior, sleep problems, fire-setting, and anger.

Adoption is a big decision and can be more complicated if a child has had emotional or physical abuse. States provide a vast array of support services to parents to help them meet the needs of any child by providing unconditional reassurance, love, and support.