Helping Foster Kids Find Their Perfect Family
FAM’s mission is to connect children in need with loving, forever families. Adoption opens the door to a life filled with love, support, and the opportunities every child deserves to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.
Adoption is a beautiful journey that creates a lifelong bond between parents and children who may not be biologically related. It provides children with the same rights and protections as those raised in their birth families, ensuring they have a safe, stable, and loving home when their biological families are unable to provide care.
Our adoption program focuses on finding the right match for each child—not the other way around. The process is designed to be family-friendly, child-centered, and full of possibilities for those ready to open their hearts and homes.
Ready to take the next step? We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
GETTING STARTED
Watch Our Information Session
Thinking about getting involved? Watch our quick info session to learn what it’s all about, how you can make a difference, and what steps to take next. It’s an easy way to get the answers you need—and see if this is the right path for you!
GUIDING YOUR JOURNEY
Becoming An Adoptive Parent
The adoption process is here to guide and support you at every turn. With clear steps, dedicated assistance, and a commitment to your success, you’ll soon be ready to offer a loving, stable home to a foster child. A brighter future for them awaits!
Application, Background Check & Pre-Service Training
After attending an information session, prospective adoptive parents must meet with the Adoption Family Manager, submit an application, and complete a background check. They are also required to complete 18 hours of adoption-specific training, with additional training available for those interested in specific child populations
Home Study & Pre-Licensure Inspection
A WCHSA home study contractor will schedule a meeting to assess your home’s safety and evaluate your readiness to provide a stable and suitable environment for a child.
Adoption Inquiry & Matching Process
Once background checks, training, and the home study are complete, the Adoption Family Manager will help evaluate potential matches. Matching a child with an adoptive family is a thoughtful process, and timelines may vary based on several factors, which your Adoption Family Manager will explain.
Adoption Finalization
Adoption finalization requires the child to be in the adoptive home for at least six months. During this time, WCHSA will have monthly contact with the family, assist with medical records, adoption subsidy applications, and refer adoptive parents to an attorney for the finalization process, culminating in a court hearing.
THEIR STORIES, YOUR IMPACT
Meet the Kids
Meeting foster children available for adoption is the first step in offering a child the forever home they’ve been waiting for. Each child has a unique story, and by opening your heart to them, you have the power to provide the love, stability, and support they need to thrive in their new beginning.
navigating BiO PARENT’S path
Support For Birth Parents
Adoption is never an easy choice for birth parents to make. However, if you feel parenting is not the right option for you and are considering placing your baby up for adoption, you are not giving up on them—you are making the choice to give your baby the best life possible.
Should you consider adoption for your child?
An unplanned pregnancy may involve difficult decisions, but social workers and professionals are available to guide you. Adoption is final once consent or relinquishment papers are signed, so it’s important to take time and seek counseling from WCHSA or licensed agencies.
What if you decide to pursue adoption?
You can either work with WCHSA or a licensed agency to place your child with an approved family, or choose your own family and contact an agency for services.
What if you decide to request adoption placement through WCHSA?
WCHSA assigns a caseworker to help with adoption plans, medical, and financial support. After birth, you can choose to keep the baby, have the hospital care for them, or place them in foster care, but adoption consent can’t be signed until 72 hours later.
What if I find a family with whom I want to adopt my baby?
You can choose a specific family for adoption, exchange identifying info, and possibly stay in contact. Plans aren’t binding until consents are signed, with a 72-hour waiting period, and the adoptive family must complete a home study. The birth father can sign consent before birth if not married.
CONNECTING FAMILIES
Nevada Adoption
Registry
If you would like to consider the possibility of future contact with a child you have released for adoption, the Nevada Adoption Registry offers this opportunity. An explanation of the services available through the registry will be provided by the social worker prior to or at the time you sign relinquishments or adoption consents.
Continuing care for adoptive families
Post Adoption Support
Post-Adoption Support and Services are available to families who have adopted foster children through WCHSA, helping to meet all of their child’s needs, including mental and behavioral health. You are not alone!
Available Post-Adoption Support and Services
Services include information, referrals, case management, financial assistance for evaluations and therapies, and support with insurance and related systems. We also offer adoption preservation services and yearly subsidy reviews. WCHSA does not cover out-of-home placements, but Medicaid may cover this treatment if recommended.
Common Family Support Needs
Families commonly reach out for support with parenting challenges, navigating mental health services, Medicaid issues, adoption subsidy payment concerns, address changes, divorce, deceased parents, or college benefits (for children adopted at age 13).
Nevada Adoption Laws
NRS: Chapter 127 and NAC: Chapter 127 outline Nevada’s adoption laws. The Adoption Tax Credit link offers IRS information—consult your accountant or tax advisor to maximize the credit. WCHSA cannot provide tax or legal advice.
Reach Out for Post-Adoption Service
If you have any questions about our post-adoption services, we are here to help. Contact us at HSA-PostAdoptionServices@washoecounty.gov or call (775) 337-4470. Our team is available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and we’re ready to provide the support and information you need.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
We welcome people of any race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation and identity. Applicants can rent or own their homes, have high or low incomes, as long as they demonstrate financial responsibility and sound management of their finances. Whether you have children or not, are married or single, we are open to all. Applicants must be over the age of 21 and at least ten years older than the child being adopted (NAC 127.235).
The adoption subsidy program provides financial and medical benefits to families adopting special needs children from Washoe County, ending when the child turns 18. Unfortunately, Washoe County Human Services cannot extend these benefits, as Nevada law (NRS 127.186) terminates subsidies once the child reaches adulthood or becomes self-supporting.
The Post Adoption Contact Agreement is a legally binding arrangement between adoptive and biological parents to ensure ongoing contact after the adoption is finalized, always prioritizing the child’s best interest. Additionally, sibling contact agreements are required for children adopted separately from their siblings. It’s essential to consult your adoption specialist to understand how this may affect your family.
WCHSA offers a non-recurring legal fee reimbursement of up to $500.00. The adoptive family will initially pay the $500.00 to retain the attorney. Once the adoption is finalized, this amount will be reimbursed to the family in the first adoption subsidy payment.
“When I was adopted, I felt really special because my family picked me.”
