Kentucky Foster Care and Adoption
Providing safe and loving homes to children across the Commonwealth
Healing Homes Foster Care in Kentucky
“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.” Josh Shipp
It can be difficult for children with specific histories or needs to find a home, but we believe that each child has the right to live in a safe and loving home. The Kentucky foster care team focuses on finding homes for children who are ages 6 and up, need extra therapeutic and/or medical care, and sibling groups.
A site visit was completed on March 12, 2020 wherein the Kentucky office was provisionally approved to offer foster care for therapeutic and medically complex children. Our applications to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has been submitted, and we are awaiting a contract.
In Kentucky, there are nearly 10,000 children in out-of-home care. Many of these children are in need of safe and stable foster homes. These placements could be short- or long-term, depending on the needs of the biological family. Respite foster homes are also needed as a support to full-time foster parents.
FOSTER CARE
If a child’s biological family is unable to care for him or her, the child may become eligible for adoption. In the United States, 51% of foster children who found forever families were adopted by their foster parents.
ADOPTING YOUR FOSTER CHILD
Could you be a forever family for one of over 3,000 children in Kentucky who are waiting to be adopted? Consider the children found on the Kentucky Adoption Profile Exchange and let Nightlight know if you would like to learn more about foster adoption in Kentucky.
KENTUCKY’S ADOPTABLE CHILDREN
Nightlight Foster Care Agency is your advocate in the Kentucky state foster care program.
The Nightlight team will walk with you throughout the foster care process and support you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.
It is important to understand that every child is unique in their histories, experiences, challenges and strengths. No matter what needs they may have, we believe every child deserves a loving family and the chance to flourish.
Fostering can be challenging at times, so it is important that foster parents have a strong support systme (friends, family, church, etc.). Due to our small caseloads, Nightlight has the ability to give you the attention and support you need to navigate your foster care journey.
Children who form strong, healthy attachments (relationships) are more resilient to stressful situations as adults. As a foster parent, you are making impactul, positive changes which could improve a child’s life now and into adulthood.
How do I become a foster parent in Kentucky?
To become a foster parent with a private agency in Kentucky, like Nightlight Christian Adoptions, you will need to be trained and certified as a therapeutic foster home. We know the training is a time commitment. The training ensures that you will be knowledgeable and equipped to handle the responsibilities of fostering Kentucky’s therapeutic and medically complex children. The following is an overview of this process:
- Meet the staff. Make an appointment at the bottom of this page to meet with the Nightlight staff one-on-one to discuss if fostering is right for you and your family.
- Submit an application. Nightlight will review your application to ensure that you qualify to be a foster parent by Kentucky’s requirements. In this state, you must be at least 21 years old to receive a waiting child. Foster parents can be any age (over 21), religion, ethnicity, married or single.
- Attend Foster Parent Training. Nightlight is proud to partner with Orphan Care Alliance for basic foster care training for our parents. We then supplement that with extended therapeutic training provided by our staff.
- Complete a Home Study. The home study is an in-depth assessment of the home and family. You do not have to own your home but do need to be able to support a child financially. This process also includes interviews with the foster parents and other family members living in the home, as well as criminal background checks for each person in the home over the age of 18. The home study process allows Nightlight to match you with a child who is a good fit for your family.
- Prepare for Your Child’s Arrival. Nightlight will contact you with the notices of waiting children. We will discuss with you the unique needs of this child and make sure you feel comfortable, supported and able to provide the resources needed to care for the child. Your Nightlight team will support you every step of the way.
If you feel led to help a child age 6 and up, with therapeutic or medical needs, or a sibling group, Nightlight would love to meet with you.
Families interested in basic foster care or children age 5 and under should contact the Kentucky Cabinet Adoptions Branch at 1-800-232-5437.
If you live in one of the following counties and are interested in fostering an older child, please e-mail [email protected] with your contact information. We will be in contact with you regarding updates.
Anderson Franklin Mercer
Bourbon Garrard Montgomery
Boyle Harrison Nicolas
Clark Jessamine Scott
Fayette Madison Woodford
“Fostering to adopt has been the hardest thing we’ve ever done, but it is also the most wonderful thing we’ve ever done. It is God making beauty from ashes and inviting us to be a part of the process. This experience has blessed our family more than we could have ever imagined!”
Paul & Leesa
Foster Parent Training
Becoming a foster parent begins with completing an info meeting and basic foster parent training through Nightlight’s partnership with Orphan Care Alliance. Please check their training schedule for upcoming opportunities to begin.
Resources
Nightlight Adoption Bridge – View photos of children waiting for you
Kentucky Adoption Profile Exchange – View Kentucky’s waiting adoptable children
UK College of Social Work – Office of Foster and Adoptive Support and Training
Nightlight is proud to partner with the following organizations: