FOSTER PARENT
ARE YOU A CURRENT FOSTER PARENT SEEKING AN ATTORNEY TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR ADOPTION?
If so, I would love to assist you!
As a former foster parent, and having adopted through DCFS myself, I can appreciate what it took to get you to the point of finally hearing DCFS say they are ready to get moving on your child's adoption!
Beyond my personal experience, for over 21 years I have devoted the majority of my law practice to adoption law.
Additionally, my prior employment uniquely qualifies me to represent foster parents in negotiating their adoption subsidies. Prior to receiving my law degree I was employed as an adoption specialist for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. In this capacity I monitored, assisted, trained, and educated private agencies on the adoption process and the drafting of adoption subsidies.
After graduating from law school, I was an attorney for the Department of Children and Family Services, where I advised private agency workers, DCFS workers, and other DCFS attorneys on adoption assistance agreements, the grounds for terminating parental rights, and the adoption process.
I am a member and past chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Adoption Law Committee and a member of the america Academy of Adoption Attorneys.
I look forward to your call and the opportunity to represent you in the adoption your foster child!
Considering adopting through Foster Care in Illinois?
FOSTER CARE ADOPTION
Being a foster parent can be a very heart opening and rewarding experience where you have an opportunity to make an incredible difference in the life of a child. Many people are afraid to adopt through foster care because of the heartache that may come should a child be returned to their birth family. While this is a valid fear and something every family must consider, it is my hope that that more parents will reach out and take a chance to enrich the life of a child and ultimately enrich their own family life as well.
There are many wonderful children that become available for adoption through the foster care system but what does it mean to pursue adoption through the foster care system?

FOSTER PARENTING BENEFITS
The benefit of becoming a foster parent who wants to adopt is, once the child has resided with you for more than one year, if the child becomes eligible for adoption, you would be given preference and first consideration over all other applicants. Although this is not an absolute guarantee, since the court will always make the final decision about what is in the child’s best interest, this is true for the vast majority of cases.
So, foster parents who are interested in adopting a baby will almost always need to proceed with a legal risk placement. Of course, if you are interested in adoption and are taking this road you should make sure your caseworker is aware of this. Be up front about your intentions and desires to adopt a child during the licensing process. You can request a child that appears to have a greater likelihood of becoming eligible for adoption BUT you must understand and support the idea that the child may be returned home.
LEGAL RISK PLACEMENT