Contact Information
Wesley House Family Services
FOSTER-ADOPTIVE SERVICES
Lower Keys/Key West
305.289.2681
Valdine.Maynard@wesleyhouse.org
Middle/Upper Keys:
305.853.3515
Noreen.Dawson@wesleyhouse.org
WHO ARE FOSTER PARENTS?
Foster parents care for children, who have been removed from their homes
due to allegations of abused and/or neglected, until they can be returned to their families or can be placed in a permanent living situation.
Foster Parents are everyday people. Some are married couples, some have other children, some are single, and some have children of their own who are grown and independent. Foster Parents come from many diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and income levels.
They have one thing in common. Foster Parents want to provide children with a temporary home while they are separated from their families.
WHAT SUPPORTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FOSTER PARENTS?
Wesley House Full Case Managers are available to answer questions and assist with any problems that may arise. They will assist in arranging medical, psychological and other needed services. In addition, the Full Case Manager serves as a link with the court system, birth parents, and community.
The Wesley House Foster Parent Advisors are always ready to assist foster families with in-service training to help foster parents gain the skills needed to foster children. Foster parents will also have an opportunity to meet other experienced foster parents who are available for questions or assistance needed.
Wesley House Neighborhood Counselors are available for supportive in-home services. Wesley House School Readiness Specialist will help arrange for child care or after school needs.
The Florida Foster Care Website is http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/fostercare/
ADOPTION:
Wesley House is committed to achieving permanency for all children involved in the dependency process. For children who have no parent or legal guardian able to care for them, it is preferable to pursue adoption as a permanency option. Wesley House Family Services also provides post-adoptive services through the Intervention Prevention Department.
All children legally available for adoption in Monroe County, as well as throughout the State of Florida, are located on the Florida Adoption Website, http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/adoption/
For questions about Adoption contact
Rebecca.knickmeier@wesleyhouse.org
Who can adopt?
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Adults over the age of 21;
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Applicant can be single, divorced, or married;
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Any ethnicity, cultural, economic or religious affiliation;
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Homeowners or renters with appropriate space to accommodate a child and/or sibling group and an approved adoption home study and application;
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Applicants with verifiable and stable income sufficient to support themselves and their family without receipt of public assistance;
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All adult household members, age 18 and over must pass background screenings.
Adoption Benefits
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Potential of monthly adoption subsidy until child is 18 based meeting eligibility criteria;
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Medicaid until child turns 18 including health, dental and vision;
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Tuition for undergraduate college degree in any Florida state university;
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Tax deduction;
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Reimbursement of adoption legal costs up to $1,000;
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