Hi... my name is Reno and I am seeking to adopt a child who is 18+.

I am unable to find any Web Sites that can assist in this area. Thousands upon thousands of children each year become young adults and surpass the Foster Care Limits and are left with no place to go, no place to call home and no one to call family and they are our "Lost" children. I would like one of these children to be a part of my family.

Does anyone know where any of these sites may be or have any suggestions?

Please no Legal Answers to my questions as I am very knowledgeable in regards to the Legal aspects of my question.

Thank You!

****Edited**** Due to a simple misunderstanding and individuals not understanding my question I have re-wrote it. Thank You.

Question: Does anyone know where any sites or organizations are where an individual can Screen and Adopt a Child over the Age of 18+.

I have dealt with young adults who have aged out of the foster program. Social services (at least in my area) has all sorts of avenues for them to follow. You don't adopt unknown people over 18.

Your question sounds a bit strange. I'm guessing it will be removed.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I have dealt with young adults who have aged out of the foster program. Social services (at least in my area) has all sorts of avenues for them to follow. You don't adopt unknown people over 18.

Your question sounds a bit strange. I'm guessing it will be removed.

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It is not as strange as you might think Wondergirl. There are many individuals out there who have adopted "Adults" to protect their assets among other things. Adult adoptions is very similar to Child Adoption other than the "Adult" and all parties have to agree with the adoption. There are laws regarding the adoption of adults in All States, which vary from State to State.

Unlike a Child Adoption, the "Adult" has the choice of being adopted. In Child Adoption, the child does not always know the adoptive parent either so your comment that my question is "strange" has no real merit.

To adopt an adult who is a stranger to you for the sake of "protecting his assets" doesn't sound quite right somehow. Are you going to send that person to college or to a trade school of his choosing? Are you going to pay for her wedding? Are you going to make him your heir?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

To adopt an adult who is a stranger to you for the sake of "protecting his assets" doesn't sound quite right somehow. Are you going to send that person to college or to a trade school of his choosing? Are you going to pay for her wedding? Are you going to make him your heir?

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I guess I am sorry that I didn't make my question more clear as it appears you are very focused on this "Stranger" thing and have a tendency towards hostility. I will edit my question.

I do agree with you that you wouldn't just pick John Doe or Jane Doe up off the streets and run into the courthouse and adopt them. [B] That is why I asked if there are sites or organizations that assist in these types of adoptions].

And for your information, like any adoptee, they would be legally entitled to any and all of those types of things you mentioned if available and more.

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Originally Posted by Reno12

I do agree with you that you wouldn't just pick John Doe or Jane Doe up off the streets and run into the courthouse and adopt them. [B] That is why I asked if there are sites or organizations that assist in these types of adoptions].

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I'm not being hostile. I've been in the system, as I told you. If anything, an adult would get to know a foster child through Big Brothers/Big Sisters, scouting, etc. and would connect with that person long before the child becomes 18. Mutual affection would create a bond that could become legal.

So there's your answer. Volunteer with various programs that may include foster children. I know of no organization that would readily give out their names and other personal information.

There are many mentoring programs often run by churches and charities that can put you in touch with young adults because over 18 is hardly a child. But that's where I would look is mentoring programs and websites. You may be subject to background checks yourself though.

You don't have to adopt to be a mentor, and help a young adults. Many foundations take donations for scholarships in the USA, any way. Do you live in the USA?

I "Mentor" 3 children now through various programs in my community, one being Boy Scouts from the ages of 7-16. I also will be offering programs at a Horse Rescue Ranch that I am part owner in this summer. The Team and I are currently gathering ideas for the program.

A background check is hardly an issue for me, and I don't believe I have run across any mentoring programs that do not require a background check which is a very good policy.

Granted the Mentoring programs are a wonderful experience and I wouldn't change my experience mentoring for anything.

What brought me to my question was reading a young mans post about a week or so ago, while reading some of the news articles. I.e. that young man who asked his church to help get him adoptive parents. The one young man said that he got all he wanted in Foster Care but the only thing he really wanted was someone he could call family and that was something he never got and he said to this day that he would still consider being adopted by someone and he was 24 years old.

My son passed away at the age of 25 almost 2 years ago and this one of my other reason for checking into this.

I live in North Central USA.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I'm not being hostile. I've been in the system, as I told you. If anything, an adult would get to know a foster child through Big Brothers/Big Sisters, scouting, etc. and would connect with that person long before the child becomes 18. Mutual affection would create a bond that could become legal.

So there's your answer. Volunteer with various programs that may include foster children. I know of no organization that would readily give out their names and other personal information.

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Thank you for your response. I did not ask if there were any organizations that would readily give out their names and other personal information and I would hope they would never do that so I am rather confused as to where that come from.

I really think the only way for you to do this is to work with the foster care system.

They will be able to put you in touch with any agencies looking for help with aging out children, and give you a better idea of where to look.

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Originally Posted by Synnen

I really think the only way for you to do this is to work with the foster care system.

They will be able to put you in touch with any agencies looking for help with aging out children, and give you a better idea of where to look.

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Thank You Synnen. I am thinking that you are probably very right on that.

Have you considered adopting an older child who is heading toward 18. I would think that any social service agency dealing with adoption, foster kids, etc. would have children 15, 16, 17 years of age, who would be desperate to find homes.

Like Wondergirl, I find it odd that you only want to adopt an adult. And you should appreciate that answers you receive here, you may not always agree with, but what is stated is an opinion to your question. If you don't like what is said, move on. Please be more respectful.

No doubt the same question anywhere else would also raise eyebrows.

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Originally Posted by Jake2008

Have you considered adopting an older child who is heading toward 18. I would think that any social service agency dealing with adoption, foster kids, etc. would have children 15, 16, 17 years of age, who would be desperate to find homes.

Like Wondergirl, I find it odd that you only want to adopt an adult. And you should appreciate that answers you receive here, you may not always agree with, but what is stated is an opinion to your question. If you don't like what is said, move on. Please be more respectful.

No doubt the same question anywhere else would also raise eyebrows.

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Thank you for your response Jake. Forgive me as I am new to this site. I guess I should have only asked the question and Wondergirl i.e. would not have gotten off task and actually answered my question and her response was not an opinion to my question. It was an opinion regarding my "intentions".

It is actually not as "Odd" as you may think as there is Laws pertaining to the adoption of a "Adult" in nearly ALL the States in the USA. It is something, however that is not talked about. I myself have never thought of such a thing until I read that young mans post and I further researched it.

I was fortunate to have one individual answer my question which has been very very helpful. I have contacted several Foster Care departments, as he recommended, which as brought me much success.

On the same note, if individuals don't like a question or don't have an answer to it, then maybe they should be "respectful" and "move on" to.

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Originally Posted by Reno12

Wondergirl i.e. would not have gotten off task and actually answered my question and her response was not an opinion to my question. It was an opinion regarding my "intentions".

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Your original question was very unclear and suspicious sounding. Were you looking for someone to "groom" for some reason, I wondered. More information from the get-go would have been very helpful for all of us who had responded and had to go "off task" to ask "Twenty Questions" to find out more information.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Your original question was very unclear and suspicious sounding. Were you looking for someone to "groom" for some reason, I wondered. More information from the get-go would have been very helpful for all of us who had responded and had to go "off task" to ask "Twenty Questions" to find out more information.

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Thank you for your response Wondergirl. As I said I am new to the site and I apologize. I will keep strictly to writing the question only should I use this site in the future.

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Originally Posted by Reno12

Thank you for your response Wondergirl. As I said I am new to the site and I apologize. I will keep strictly to writing the question only should I use this site in the future.

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My heart went out to you when you mentioned losing your son, so then your original question finally made sense to me. I apologize for suspecting you of anything remotely criminal.

One of my clients was aging out of the foster care system, so we spent our counseling time going out to eat (for instance) in order for her to learn how to function in the real world (ordering from a menu, paying the bill, tipping, conversing with the waitress, etc.) -- things she had never been taught or experienced. I wanted to "adopt" her, but she went off on her own and ended up doing very well.

Please enjoy this site and even respond to those questions you would feel comfortable answering. You will see that we get a huge range on here. And I wish you good fortune as you delve into the foster care system and associated agencies.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

My heart went out to you when you mentioned losing your son, so then your original question finally made sense to me. I apologize for suspecting you of anything remotely criminal.

One of my clients was aging out of the foster care system, so we spent our counseling time going out to eat (for instance) in order for her to learn how to function in the real world (ordering from a menu, paying the bill, tipping, conversing with the waitress, etc.) -- things she had never been taught or experienced. I wanted to "adopt" her, but she went off on her own and ended up doing very well.

Please enjoy this site and even respond to those questions you would feel comfortable answering. You will see that we get a huge range on here. And I wish you good fortune as you delve into the foster care system and associated agencies.

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Thank you so much for your response Wondergirl as it is greatly appreciated. There is no explaining the feeling of a loss of a child or how it truly it impacts your life in its entirety. At times the loss is beyond over whelming.

I can not now make a difference in my sons life as that chapter in my life is now closed, but I do have the ability, strive , love and wisdom to make a difference in someone else's life and that in itself makes Life Wonderful!

I look very forward in delving into the foster care system and associated agencies.