“I’ve always wanted to do it, but…”

That is what I hear most people say when it comes to foster parenting or adoption.

If you start reading this post and decide not to, it’s because you’re afraid. Don’t be afraid. Trust me and read to the end.

But I am going to double dog dare you to check out the T.A.R.E website. (Texas Adoption Resource Exchange) This is a website to showcase a few of the many children who are straight adoption cases. https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/Texas_Heart_Galleries/default.asp

Okay, now I triple dog dare you to look at these hopeful faces and see how mobile your heart becomes. https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/Texas_Heart_Galleries/ElPaso/default.asp

I’ll go a step further and quadruple dog dare you to open a profile and not hear their eagerness to be a part of forever family. https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Application/TARE/Group.aspx/Siblings/78486 https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Application/TARE/Child.aspx/Profile/83497 https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Application/TARE/Child.aspx/Profile/87860 https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Application/TARE/Group.aspx/Siblings/82721

You can even search for children based on your preferences! It’s like your online shopping…except your shopping for children. (Weird? Probably.) https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/application/TARE/Search.aspx/Children

In Texas, “straight adoption” isn’t necessarily straight adoption. There is a 6-month trial period you and the child/sibling group will have living together to give everyone time to decide if this placement is best before adoption proceedings actually begin.

Bottom line (at the risk of getting all Sarah McLachlan on you…Cue the “Arms of an Angel” music): If you’ve ever considered it, start looking into it now. There are children out there who need a family, and there are resources that help you do it.

Don’t worry about having to pay for their college; The state will already take care of that since they’ve been in the foster system. https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/Education/state_college_tuition_waiver.asp (There are steps that you have to take once you start fostering them so be sure to ask DFPS or their adoption manager about that.) They’ll also have medical insurance and other resources provided for them even after adoption. The process for all this isn’t perfect, but don’t let that hold you back.

If there is anything stopping you from taking children into your home, there is contact information on the TARE website. Call and ask questions. It’s not alway easy to get the information you need, but that is mainly because social workers have large caseloads and every case is different. If you find a child or sibling group you are interested in, get it in contact with their adoption manager or caseworker and persist.

I’m not advocating this because it’s fun. It’s not. It’s difficult.

I’m advocating this because there are actual human beings who need you. It may be a child you saw riding their bike a few streets down or a friend your child has at school. These children have everyday faces, and they endure pain because no one has ever truly fought for them, not even their own family.

When parents’ rights are terminated, that means CPS will start contacting any biological family that child has in hopes that they can stay within their family unit.

This means that the faces you see on the TARE website…they have nobody else. CPS already investigated and has exhausted all options. They have no other family that will or can take them in.

So that means it is up to you.

And don’t overlook the older kids. They need love just as much, if not more than, the younger kids. It’s not they are bad, but have learned throughout their years to distrust the ones who are supposed to be taking care of them. Take time to develop a trusting relationship with them, and it will take time.

Don’t believe me? Check out Josh Shipp, a once foster child who knows exactly why older kids test your every limit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m51Qf8fc4UA

If you’ve ever considered it, acting on it is the next step. These kiddos aren’t getting any younger. If you’ve never considered it, please do. There are some awesome kids out there that you’re missing out on.