Homing a child is a significant event for both the child and those taking them in. In some cases, it is permanent, and in others, it is a temporary measure.
Understanding the differences between temporary placement and adoption is vital. With the right information, you can make informed decisions that meet your best interests and the child’s.
Temporary placement
Temporary placements involve caring for a child on a short-term basis. The primary goal is to provide a safe environment until the child can return to their birth family or move to a permanent home. A common form of this is foster care. In Missouri, the Children’s Division oversees the foster care system, ensuring children receive proper care during transitional periods.
Adoption
Adoption is where an individual or couple becomes the child’s permanent parent(s). This process involves terminating the birth parents’ rights and transferring them to the adoptive parents. In Missouri, prospective adoptive parents must meet specific requirements, such as completing a home study and attending training sessions. Once finalized, the adoptive parents have all the legal rights and responsibilities for the child.
Key points to remember
The main differences between adoption and temporary placement are:
- Duration: Temporary placement is short-term, while adoption is permanent.
- Legal rights: Foster parents do not have legal parental rights; adoptive parents do.
- Decision-making: Adoptive parents have full authority over the child’s upbringing; foster parents’ decisions are limited and supervised.
Seeking further guidance can help you learn more about the two processes.