Adoption builds a family and provides a permanent home for a child. After birth parents have voluntarily given up their parental rights OR the court has terminated the parents’ rights, the adoption can be finalized in a court of law. The adoptive parent then becomes the child’s legal parent and has the same formal and legal responsibility for the child as if they were the biological parent.

Foster care is the temporary placement of a child while a permanent plan for their future is being developed. In some cases, a foster placement will lead to adoption.