Alliance Youth Services

Host Homes

Our Host Home program connects unhoused youth and young adults (ages 11-24) in our community with short-term stays with local families in loving Host Homes.

Mentorship

Looking for a mentor? Or you can become one! Youth, young adults, and mentors work together to identify goals, build life skills, and have enriching experiences over a year-long partnership.

Case management provided.

RESOURCES

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COMING SOON!

Stay tuned for more on our upcoming Future Ready programs geared toward building life skills and providing work experiences for youth and young adults in our community.

Celebrating Pride 2023

A Family for Every Child is committed to creating affirming spaces in service to our youth. Our agency celebrates LGBTQIA+ identities through advocacy and allyship. This Pride month we pledge our dedication to acceptance, equality, and awareness.

Affirming Youth Identity Saves Lives

A Family for Every Child (AFFEC) believes all youth, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, deserves a permanent and loving family that acknowledges and affirms their identity.  Affirming a youth’s identity means caregivers help the youth develop positive feelings about their identity, support their  sense of belonging to their identified social groups, and ensure the youth has clear caregiver acceptance.

 AFFEC recognizes LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented in foster care and the houseless youth community. The Human Rights Campaign’s most recent youth survey indicates LBGTQ+ youth make up over a third of the almost 400,000 youth in foster care (HRC, 2023). Additionally, LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to be unhoused when compared to their peers and make up more than 40% of the unhoused youth population (McKinnon et al., 2023). We are committed to prioritizing youth needs and characteristics in adoptive and host home recruitment efforts and service development.

The CDC reports suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24. Suicide for this age group increased by 52% between 2000-2021 (CDC, 2023, HRC 2023), and youth who identify as LGBTQ+ are five times more likely than their heterosexual peers to commit suicide (Gaylor et al., 2023). However, the presence of an affirming caregiver in a youth’s life reduces the likelihood of suicide by 57% (Price et al., 2023).

Family acceptance saves youth’s lives. A Family for Every Child is dedicated to changing these statistics by supporting affirming families as they care for our diverse community of children.

Oregon Adoption Agency

An Oregon Adoption Agency Since 2008!

A Family For Every Child (AFFEC), a non profit organization, began with its founder Christy Obie-Barrett, a mother of 12 children – 9 of which are adopted. Christy wanted to make a difference in the lives of more children and found a way through non profits. In January 2006, AFFEC was created to help find permanent homes for many of Oregon’s waiting children with special focus on special needs/hard to place children.

In 2008, A Family for Every Child became licensed as an adoption agency in the State of Oregon, beginning the next stage of our journey!

As an adoption agency, A Family for Every Child has developed our own systems and applications to optimize the adoption process, making it easier for everyone involved! We pride ourselves in completing home studies faster and more affordably (We only charge what it costs us!) than traditional adoption agencies. Families who choose our agency can expect transparency and collaboration throughout the home study process!

 

Donors and Sponsors

We would like to thank all the people and businesses that keep the Heart Gallery going with your generous donations, contributions, volunteering and advocating for these special children.

We strive to include all who have helped us succeed. If we have missed you or have not included you on our list, we apologize and hope you bring this to our attention.

Thank you!

Partnering for Success

A Family for Every Child’s mentoring program is essential to helping foster youth make school and life transitions at critical stages in their development. OCF strongly supports enhancing this
important program, ensuring positive, successful mentoring experiences for an estimated 60 middle and high school students throughout Lane County.

Kathleen Cornett

Vice President of Grants & Programs

Oregon Community Foundation

Academic Support

A Family For Every Child's (AFFEC) mentor program is expanding its reach by connecting with children's schools in order to help them perform better academically and remain on track to
graduate. With support from the Oregon Community Foundation, AFFEC has brought on a new team member who is charged with conducting
school based community outreach, connecting with children's school counselors, and supporting our mentors in their mentee's academic life. This will allow AFFEC to help children and
teens see greater academic success, and feel more supported by caring adults in their lives. Currently a little more than half of foster youth obtain a high school diploma due to difficulties
when transitioning from home to home, and mentors have the potential to ease those transitions with schools and other institutions. Thanks to the Oregon Community Foundation, AFFEC
will now be supporting mentors and youth to help ensure children not only receive their diploma, but exceed academic expectations. Our new Education Liaison is Mary Bromley, Mary has
been an AFFEC mentor for over five years. She is the only consistent person in the life of her mentee. Mary also recently retired from the school district and will begin working with us on
our Education/Mentor/Mentee Program as an Education Liaison.

Life Skills

In addition to providing more academic support, AFFEC is launching a Mentor Assisted Life Skills Program which will pair mentors with youth who will work on developing life skills together.
Mentors and mentees will be offered a curriculum that includes information on how to handle one's finances, healthcare, cooking, and more. This program will better prepare children who
are at risk of "aging out" of foster care for living on their own. These classes in conjunction with the mentors' support will aid in the success of each child becoming a self sufficient adult!
Our new Life skills effort is lead by our new team Member: Christina Sutton Christina comes with a long history of connection to AFFEC. In the very early days she ran our Mentor
Program, and then she took a break to foster and adopt many children. While she still has a house full, she is getting involved again to help us build our education classes for youth at risk of
aging out of care and those who will become adults with little preparation for the real world. She will plan and teach bi-weekly classes on everything from "How to write a check" to "How to shop
for food" to college, trade-school knowledge, and resume-building. Christina grew up in foster care and never got a family of her own, so her passion for at-risk youth is huge and based in real-life
experience.

Contact Us

If you would like to get involved in this effort, we need you – contact mentor@afamilyforeverychild.org or call 541-343-2856.

Donations have been made on behalf of :

  • Andrew Deffenbacher from B2 Wine Bar and Grill
  • Ed from Fisherman's Market
  • Kurt Catlin from Kalapuya High School
  • Ladonna Webb
  • Laura Beane
  • Ryan Tesdale
  • Wendy Nastiuk
  • Rania Karam
  • Cindy Herzog
  • Amber Thompson
  • Thomas Savinar
  • Juliana Santos
  • Ramon Guirnalda
  • Jeri Gedrose
  • Peggy Babics
  • Donna Baillie
  • Steve Brown
  • Evans Fund
  • Marnie Gleason
  • Don DeZarn
  • Randy Cummings of Courtsports Athletic Club
  • Kris Coburn from Arnold Gallagher P.C. Attorneys at Law
  • Karen L. Obie from Obie Family Foundation
  • Kelly Myers from West Side Iron Inc.
  • OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation
  • Kathleen George of Spirit Mountain Community Fund
  • Brian Schafer from TeBri Vineyards
  • Benton Lane Winery
  • Joe Hawes from Hawes Financial Group
  • Diane Hoffman from Folkroots Herbal Care, LLC
  • Colette Kemper from Midnight Oil Farms
  • Oregon Caberet Theatre
  • Bendistillery
  • Dana Tessler from Rainbow Valley Design and Construction
  • I Run With Scissors Salon
  • Oregon Coast Aquarium
  • The Nail Nook
  • Oakshire Brewing
  • Cindy Rust from OLCC
  • Five Pine Lodge & Spa
  • Saint Martins Episcopal School
  • Denice Fisher
  • The Mord Family
  • Heidi Reese
  • The Reese-Baenen Family
  • Jacob Reese and Marley
  • Ryan and Theresa Reese
  • Washington
  • Jianna Rice
  • In Memory of Nicholas Warner
  • In Honor of Whitney Christine
  • In Honor of Michael Dunn
  • YAC St. Mary's Episcopal Church
  • Susan Ottmer
  • Sarah Allen from the
  • Oregon Community Credit Union
  • Charles “Chuck” Kirkpatrick

Our Donors

  • 18th Avenue Print
  • 5th St. Market
  • A Matter of Time
  • A New you Salon and Spa
  • Abby's Pizza
  • Advance Cabinets
  • Aileen Walker
  • Albertson's - River Road
  • Amanda Fitzgerald
  • Amber Quick-McKee w/ Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
  • Ambrosia
  • Andrea Kingsley Rippee
  • Annesha Montez Photography
  • Applebees West 11th Avenue
  • Arbonne Skin Care
  • Arbor South Architecture
  • Assistance League of Eugene
  • Associated Business Systems
  • Aunt MiMi's Specialty Cakes
  • B2 Wine Bar
  • Bari Lipp Foundation
  • Bates Steak House
  • Beards Framing
  • Ben Franklin Crafts
  • Beppi and Gianni's Trattoria
  • Best Buy and Staff
  • Best Western New Oreg Motel
  • Bi- Mart
  • Bicoastal Media
  • Bill and Shelly Walter
  • Bill Hastings
  • Bob and Teresa Sherman
  • Bill Healy Foundation
  • Bookmine (Cottage Grove)
  • Boulevard Grill
  • Bounce
  • Brewed Awakening
  • Brian Cole
  • Build a Bear
  • Caf 440
  • Caprice Day Spa
  • Caribbean Tan
  • Carrie Robinson
  • Cascadia Editing in Philomath, Oregon
  • Celebrations Sugar Fantasy
  • Central Print and Reprographic Services
  • Century Bank
  • Chambers Communications
  • Chambers Family Foundation
  • Chateau Nonchalant
  • Chipotle
  • Chris Walton and Beth Sheehan
  • Christian Family Adoptions
  • Christina Sutton
  • Scott Morison
  • City Nails
  • Cornucopia
  • Collins Foundation
  • Costco
  • Cottage Grove Community Center
  • Cottage Grove Hospital
  • Cravings Catering
  • Creswell Kiawanis
  • Creswell Library 64 West Oregon Ave. Creswell
  • Crossroads Espresso
  • Crux Gym
  • Dandelions Flowers and Gifts
  • Datalogic
  • David Minor Theater
  • Department of Interior
  • Diamond Woods Golf Course
  • Dr. Dave Matthews DMD
  • Duck Race
  • Elephant?s Trunk
  • Embassy Suites, Portland
  • Emerald Lanes Bowling
  • Enchanted Forest
  • Eric Herman
  • Eugene Airport
  • Eugene Ballet
  • Eugene Catering Cornucopia
  • Eugene Concert Choir
  • Eugene Marathon Health and Fitness Expo.
  • Eugene Public Library
  • Eugene Swim and Tennis Club
  • Eugene Toy and Hobby
  • Express Press Printing and Graphic
  • Fast Track Car Wash
  • Fenario Gallery
  • Fiddler's Green
  • Flavors Catering
  • Framin' Artworks
  • Fred Meyer
  • Fred Meyer - River Road
  • Friendly Street Market
  • Gateway Mall
  • Gina Jensen and Chris Nettleton
  • Gina Jenson
  • Grand Slam USA
  • Gray's Garden/Reed & Cross
  • Great Clips, Springfield
  • Hair Ba Doob Ba!
  • Hair by Kristi Stutesman
  • Harry Ritchie Jewelers
  • Hartwicks
  • Haugen Advertising and Graphics
  • Hilton Garden Inn
  • Hole in the Wall BBQ
  • Holiday Inn Express, Eugene
  • Hollywood Video (Willamette St.)
  • Holzman Foundation
  • Hotel Vintage Plaza
  • Imagine It Framed 29 South 6th St. in Cottage Grove
  • Iron Works Gym
  • James Horniman
  • Jeff Wilson
  • Jerry's Home Improvement Stores
  • Jim Chatfield
  • Judi Schons
  • Judith Teal
  • June
  • Kaylin Jensen
  • Kernutt Stokes Brandt & CO.
  • KEZI Television
  • Kim Adams
  • Kim Rambo
  • Kingsley Family Fund-SF
  • Koala Construction
  • Kowloon Restaurant
  • KVAL
  • Kyle and Kate Hudson
  • Labor Ready
  • Lakeside Clinic in Dexter
  • Lamar Advertising
  • Lane Community Culinary
  • Lane County Public Service Building
  • LANZ Cabinets
  • Les Schwab
  • Levi Strauss
  • Life Technologies
  • Lisa Weinstein
  • Lithia Nissan of Eugene
  • Lithia Toyota of Springfield
  • Lizzy's House of Cakes
  • Marche
  • Margo and Herb McKillop
  • Market of Choice
  • Maureen Smith
  • McDonald Framers
  • McDonald Wholesale
  • McDonalds Rest.
  • McGraths
  • McKenzie River Broadcasting
  • McKenzie River Golf Course
  • Mekalas
  • Meyer Memorial Trust
  • An anonymous gift
  • in honor of Louise Murphy
  • Mill Casino, Hotel and RV Park
  • Mookies
  • Mo's Restaurant
  • Mujeres Salon and Spa
  • My Party Bus
  • Naya's Taqueria
  • Nifty Fifty & Sixties
  • Nigel and Michelle Chapman
  • Nike
  • Northside Liquor
  • Oakway Catering
  • Oakway Center
  • Oakway Golf Course
  • Ocean Dunes Golf Course
  • Obie Family Foundation
  • OES Catering
  • Of Grape and Grain
  • Oldfield's
  • OMSI
  • OMT Mortgage / Keller Williams
  • Oregon art supplies
  • Oregon Coast Sea Lion Caves
  • Oregon Gallery
  • Oregon Rod, Reel and Tackle
  • Osteria Sfizio
  • Pacific Office Automation
  • Pam Singh
  • Papa's Pizza
  • Peace Health Cottage Grove Hospital & Clinic
  • Pepsi
  • PF Chang's
  • PGE Foundation
  • Phil and Sharon Means
  • Pietra's Artisian Bakery
  • Precision Classics and Collision
  • Premiere Homes
  • Putters/Strike City/Lasertrek
  • Pyreneese Vineyards
  • Radisson Hotel, Portland
  • Rays Food Center (Creswell)
  • Reflections Salon
  • Rett Baumann
  • Richard & Alisa Caesar
  • Rossetti Mardeting & Michelle Winetrout
  • Rotary Club
  • Ruhoff Homebuilders
  • RW Family Fund
  • Santa Clara Animal Hospital
  • Sara J. McRae, LMT
  • Sassy Cupcake
  • Saturday Market
  • Science Factory Chdrn Museum
  • Scott and Kathy Kitchell
  • SE Insurance Specialists
  • Search Engine Consulting by SEO Does Matter
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • Secret Garden B&B
  • SELCO
  • Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino
  • Shari's - Springfield
  • Shari's - West 11th
  • Shelley Hill
  • Sign Pro
  • Siuslaw Bank
  • Siuslaw Valley Bank
  • Sixth Street Grill
  • Skate World
  • SOFCU Credit Union 168 Melton Road Creswell
  • Speedi Sign
  • Spingfield Courthouse
  • Spirit Mountain Community Fund
  • Sports Authority
  • Springfield Arts Council
  • Springfield Police Department
  • Staples
  • Steve and Linda Bruns
  • Strike City & Putters
  • Sue Loome
  • Summit Bank
  • Sunsational
  • Susie and Sandy Trahan
  • Suzanne Arlie
  • Sweet Life Patisserie
  • SYMANTEC
  • Ta-Da Productions
  • Territorial Vineyards
  • Terry Ellsworth
  • The Boulevard
  • The Bridge Bar and Grill
  • The Chocolate Factory
  • The Lesson Factory
  • The Shedd Institute
  • Three Mile Canyon Farms
  • Tiffany Sullivan
  • Tokatee Golf Club
  • Towers Marketing
  • Trader Joe's
  • University of Oregon Bookstore
  • US Bank Branches
  • Utopia Salon
  • Valley River Center
  • Very Little Theater
  • Vista Framing and Gallery
  • Wells Fargo Bank PCS
  • Wild Duck Caf
  • Wildhorse Resort and Casino
  • Windermere Realty (Oak St. office)
  • Woodard Family Foundation
  • YMCA
  • Young's Market Company of OR
  • Shelley Kurtz
  • The Staff and Management at KVAL TV
  • Don Leber
  • Jessica Byrne
  • Lane County Kids
  • Bi-Mart Stores
  • McKenzie Broadcasting
  • Bill Barrett, Tm Fox & Tracy Berry
  • KEZI
  • Kidsports
  • Kids Directory

Our Very Generous Business Advocates

  • Arbor South Architecture
  • Build a Bear Workshop
  • (Inside the Valley River Mall)
  • Creswell Chamber of Commerce
  • Creswell Library
  • Dr. Dave Matthews DMD
  • Friendly Street Market
  • Gateway Mall
  • Iron Works Gym (Creswell)
  • Nifty Fifties & Sixties
  • OMT Mortgage-Keller Williams Realty
  • Precision Classics and Collision
  • Ray's Food Center (Creswell)
  • Siuslaw Valley Bank
  • SOFCU Credit Union (Creswell)
  • Summit Bank
  • Valley River Center

Faith Based Partners

  • Bethesda Lutheran Church
  • Calvary Fellowship
  • Eugene Faith Center
  • Faith Center
  • First Babtist of Eugene
  • Friendly Street Church of God
  • Grace Community Fellowship
  • Norkenzie Christian Church
  • Northwood Christian Church
  • New Life Assembly of God
  • Temple Beth Israel
  • Willamette Christian Center

Community Partners

  • 20/30 Club
  • Assistance League
  • CASA
  • Committed Partners for Youth
  • Hairbadoo
  • Junior League

Media & Technology Donors

  • Adept Computer Services/K9 Bytes and Shannon Barnard
  • AIC-Advanced Investment Corp
  • Ann Olson
  • Bill Barrett
  • Bi-Mart Stores
  • Don Leber
  • CTX, a Xerox Company
  • Erin Bunde
  • Greg Raschio
  • Jessica Byrne
  • Keri Stewart
  • Kids Directory
  • Kidsports
  • Lisa Raffin
  • Martin Hall and Neil Moyer
  • McKenzie Broadcasting, KKNU
  • Poppie Advertising
  • Shelley Kurtz, KVAL
  • Tim Fox
  • Tracy Berry
  • The Staff and Management at KEZI
  • The Staff and Management at KVAL

Youth Mentors

  • Andrea Rippee
  • Amanda Williams
  • Barbara Orsi
  • Brenda Korte
  • Carolyn Wehrman
  • Delores Mord
  • Gina Holtz
  • Larry Hilliard
  • Mary Bromley
  • Patricia Hilliard
  • Rick Stuber
  • Rosemary Miranda
  • Sasha Mord
  • Shannon Gibson
  • Sharon Gelisse
  • Sterling Dailey
  • Tom Overly
  • Wayne DeWilde

Family Building Mentors

  • Bob and Tami Clayton
  • Carrie Baker
  • Christina Sterling
  • Cindy Gilbert
  • Cynthia Scanlon
  • Deb Walters
  • Elizabeth Ray
  • Marlene Drescher
  • Nicole Witt
  • Stacy Runnells

Host Home Program

Safe and stable housing improves youth physical and mental health, educational engagement, employment, and other quality of life determinants. Host Homes provide youth the stability they need to access care, reengage with school, seek employment, and gain the skills they need to transition to independent adulthood.

By partnering with A Family for Every Child, Host Homes make an enduring difference in the lives of our community’s youth.

Becoming a Host Home Provider

Requirements

Host Home providers must:

  • Have an available, private bedroom in their home that contains a bed, window, and space for the youth to store their belongings.
  • Have at least one resident in the home who is 21 or older.
  • Pass a fingerprint-based background check.
  • Complete the Host Home onboarding process.

Process

Could you be a good fit for the Host Home program? Fill out an application today!

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Want more information about how you can support youth in our community? We would love to connect. Reach out to the Host Home program today.

Gina Piechowicz (she/her)

Host Home Program Manager

Office: (541) 406-7673

Cell: (541) 972-0009

g.piechowicz@affec.org

A Family for Every Child  Host Home program partners with
the Human Services Commission, the City of Eugene, the City of Springfield,
Lane County, and the Oregon Department of Human Services and provides 
equal housing opportunities to all program participants. 

 

Orientation and Training

A Family For Every Child Adoption Agency holds orientations & information nights on a monthly basis for families interested in starting the home study process at various locations throughout Oregon.

Orientation

If you would like to attend to learn about how we can help you with your home study, please contact adoption@afamilyforeverychild.org to RSVP, obtain the parent packet. and get directions to the meeting location. Please call 541-343-2856 to make a reservation and get directions to the orientation meeting location!

Information Nights

By registering for an upcoming meeting in your area you will receive a copy of our Parent Packet to review, a confirmed seat in the session, and a reminder phone call before the meeting. To register for one of the in person information nights, please email adoption@afamilyforeverychild.org with the date you would like to attend and the number of people in your party. Space is limited, so be sure to register now. 

Adoption Training in the Pacific Northwest

Every state requires you to receive training before becoming an adoptive parent, though the specific content and hours of these trainings will vary depending on location. The training is intended to prepare prospective parents to better understand and care for children coming out of the foster care system. An overview of issues such as general child development, the behaviors trauma may cause in children, and how to best manage behaviors and support the new member of your family, will be addressed throughout the meetings. 

Oregon Training



By District


Oregon by District






FREE Adoption Foundations Training for Oregon Residents

This class is a three-day series and is offered to help prospective parents become better prepared to adopt or foster children with special needs. The training fulfills an Oregon DHS requirement for adopting or fostering children in state care. (This class meets the minimum requirements for Oregon "Foundations Training"). The class is open to all families pursuing foster care or the adoption of children from foster care who reside in Oregon. Space is limited, reservations required. To sign up please call 503-232-1211 or email. bhartman@christianfamilyadoptions.org .

Topics Covered Include

Foster Care vs. Adoption
Separation and Loss
Attachment
Adopting the Sexually Abused Child
Adoption/Foster Care and Effects on the Family
Child Development
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects
Positive Behavior Management
Cultural Diversity and Honoring a Child's Heritage
Understanding the Adoption and Foster Care Process

Washington Training

Other State Training

The Basics of Adoption

Step 1: Selecting An Agency

The first step in your adoption journey is to select the adoption agency you want to work with. Your adoption agency must be licensed in your state to perform the type of adoption you are interested in. There are two general categories of adoption: foster care and independent.

A foster care adoption is when a family is adopting a child who is currently a ward of the state. An independent adoption is the adoption of a child who is not currently a ward of the state. Independent adoptions include infant adoption, step-child adoption, kin adoption, etc. 

We recommend selecting an agency offering transparency in its process and pricing, an excellent reputation in the community, and values that align with your family. 

Step 2: Adoption Orientation

A Family for Every Child offers all prospective adoptive parents the opportunity to attend a free Adoption Orientation prior to engaging in adoption services with our agency. Orientation includes:

  • A comprehensive overview of the adoption process from start to finalization, and beyond,
  • The needs and characteristics of the children the agency serves, and
  • An accounting of all projected costs related to the adoption process.

Step 3: Parent Training

All states require prospective adoptive parents to attend a comprehensive training program designed to build the skills needed when parenting children who have experienced trauma.

A Family for Every Child outlines the specific training guidelines applicable to our program and supports each adoptive parent in accessing training and applying the skills learned.

Step 4: Adoption Application

Prior to completing an adoptive home study, prospective adoptive parents submit a comprehensive application and supporting documentation. A Family for Every Child’s application includes:

  • The applicant’s motivation to adopt,
  • A fingerprint-based background check for all household members 18 and older,
  • Confirmation of adoption training completion,
  • Autobiographical information about all household members,
  • A medical form indicating the applicant’s health,
  • Financial documentation indicating the family can meet the needs of the child(ren) they are seeking to adopt,
  • Documents outlining the applicant’s willingness to comply with state licensing requirements,
  • If applicable, marriage certificates or divorce decrees,
  • Character references, and
  • Details about the needs and characteristics of the child they are seeking to adopt.

Step 5: Home Study

An adoptive home study is a legal document that determines an individual or couple’s adoption eligibility. When a prospective family’s application is complete, and basic eligibility has been established, the family is assigned to an adoption worker. The adoption worker completes:

  • Individual interviews with all household members,
  • Individual interviews with any children living outside the home,
  • An interview with the couple, if applicable,
  • An in-home safety assessment,
  • Six character references, and
  • Any other documentation or interviews needed to determine the applicant’s eligibility for adoption.

The adoption worker leverages all information gathered in the application and interview process to author the home study.  Each A Family for Every Child home study goes through a rigorous editing and approval process prior to finalization. When completed, the family receives a copy of the home study.

If the family is participating in an independent adoption, they will provide their home study to their attorney who will assist them in petitioning the court for adoption. If the family is participating in adoption from foster care, the family will transition into the matching or selection phase of adoption.

Step 6: Matching

A Family for Every Child supports our home study certified families in a national child recruitment effort by leveraging a variety of county, state, and federal child listings. Child listings typically include a picture of the child and a short biography that describes the child’s characteristics. Families will only receive additional information about a child if they submit their home study to the child’s caseworker and the child’s caseworker believes the family is a potential match for the child.  

The matching phase of foster adoption can be especially frustrating for families. Roughly eight out of ten submissions will not receive a response from the child’s caseworker. One out of ten will receive a response but the child’s needs will well exceed what the family has been home study approved to adopt. That leaves one out of ten submissions as a possible match for families to consider. On average, our families who are placed with a child within eight to twelve months of home study completion submit on 100-150 children.

When a child’s caseworker feels the family is a good potential match, the caseworker will reach out to the family or adoption worker and provide a summary of the child’s needs.

If after reviewing the summary with their adoption worker the family wants to proceed with the match, a meeting is typically set up between the child’s caseworker, family, and adoption worker. During this time, the child’s caseworker will be interviewing multiple families in an effort to find the best match for the child.

The child’s caseworker will typically review home studies and interview applicant families until they are prepared to make a placement selection for the child.

Step 7: Placement

After selection and before placement, the family should receive disclosure documentation from the child’s team outlining the child’s needs and history.

The adoption worker, family, and child’s caseworker work together to create and execute a plan for transitioning the child from their current residence to the family’s home. This includes ensuring any therapeutic services the child is currently receiving are mapped over to the family’s community. Continuity of care for the child is critical.

During the time when the child is placed in the adoptive home but the adoption has not yet been finalized, the family and child will be supported by an adoption worker. They will provide parent coaching, support, help locating additional resources, and accountability throughout the month. They will visit the family and child in the home at least once per month.

Want more information?

Email adoption@afamilyforeverychild.org or call our agency at 541-343-2856 to sign up for a free adoption Orientation. Orientations are scheduled multiple times a month and are a great opportunity to get all of your adoption-related questions answered. 

About Us

A Family For Every Child (AFFEC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to finding permanent and loving adoptive families for waiting foster children. To accomplish our mission, we focus on finding loving and permanent families for children who the foster care system considers “hard to place.” The children who fall into this category are usually older, ethnically diverse, part of a sibling group, or have severe physical, emotional and/or developmental challenges. AFFEC began as the vision of its founder and Executive Director, Christy Obie-Barrett. Christy drew upon her own firsthand experiences as a tireless child advocate and mother of nine adoptive, and three biological children. Christy, along with dozens of dedicated volunteers, formed AFFEC in October 2006. The organization has grown into one which is focused, not only on locating permanent and loving adoptive families for waiting foster children, but on identifying and reconnecting lost family members with older foster children who might otherwise end up homeless and have little hope for a bright future.

Services We Provide

AFFEC's services include mentoring, advocate services, family building services (including our Adoption Agency), a host home program for homeless youth, and overall support to the child, extended family members, social worker, and potential adoptive families. We strive to build bridges and create partnerships with other organizations and nonprofits, both locally and nationwide. AFFEC’s Adoption Agency has grown drastically, with a recent expansion of services to Washington. Over the last 15 years we have developed 10 plus programs that assist special-needs/challenging-to-place foster children in finding their own Forever Families. Our success is achieved through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, 20 staff, and the collaboration of many partners. It is our goal that no family encounters undue roadblocks that prevent adopting a child from foster care.

Transparency

Take a closer look at our organization.

2023 - 2026 Strategic Plan

501(c)(3)

2011 - 501(c)(3) Renewal

2022 Tax 990

 

1-541-343-2856