Special Needs Adoption

Children's Aid and Family Services has an innovative older child adoption program, the first of its kind in New Jersey. This program works with families who are interested in adopting a legally free child over the age of 5. The majority of school-age children awaiting adoptive families have special needs due to a history of abuse, neglect, and multiple foster care placements. As a result, these children exhibit emotional, behavioral, and educational challenges.

Home study, adoption placement, and adoption supervision for school-age New Jersey waiting children are provided at no cost to the prospective adoptive parents. Due to the special needs of these children, the state of New Jersey offers adoptive families a monthly financial stipend as well as Medicaid for the adopted child. These continue after the child's adoption is finalized.