Foster Care & Adoption
About Foster Care & Adoption
At times, children who have been abused or neglected must be removed from their homes for their safety. Foster Care (now called Permanency Planning) is a temporary removal while parents work on getting back together (called reunification). If a family is unable to reunify, other long-term options may include adoption.
This page provides more information on foster care and adoption resources.
Permanency Planning (Foster Care)
- Permanency Planning provides temporary care for children found to be abused, neglected, or dependent, with plans for reunification when safe.
- Many families can safely reunite with support and necessary services.
- The primary goal is reunification with the birth or biological family. If reunification is not possible, the focus shifts to finding a permanent family to provide stability for the child.
Who are the Children Waiting to be Adopted?
Durham County’s waiting children are listed on the NC Kids website, which helps to identify possible family and child matches for consideration. Click the link below for more information.
More information about N.C. Kids Adoption and Foster Care Network
Becoming an Adoptive Parent
- Durham County partners with several agencies to find families for children in foster care.
- Visit NC Department of Health & Human Services for a list of private adoption agencies.
Adoption Assistance
Many children available for adoption through the North Carolina child welfare system are eligible for:
- Monthly payments
- Medical benefits
- Other services
The monthly adoption assistance payment in North Carolina is based on:
- The age of the child
- The child's specific special needs
Post Adoption Services
Durham County provides post-adoption support services, including:
- Guidance and support with adoption-related issues
- Information and referrals
North Carolina contracts with private agencies to offer regional post-adoption support services
Confidential Intermediary Services
- When family connections are lost, adult adoptees and birth parents can use Confidential Intermediary (CI) services to find information or locate each other.
- North Carolina is a "closed adoption" state, meaning adoption records are sealed once adoptions are final.
- CI services are available to:
- Adult adoptees aged 18 or older
- Birth parents
- Adult siblings of an adult adoptee
- Adult biological half-siblings of an adult adoptee
- Adult family members of a deceased adult adoptee
See the NC DHHS Confidential Intermediary Information Guide.
