Diagram showing the gap between adoption recruitment messaging and actual foster care adoption pathways, where adults respond to adoption ads but experience no response or are redirected into foster parent licensing instead of adoption.

A Clear Path to Foster Care Adoption

Many adults are ready to adopt children waiting in foster care. But once they take the first step, the path is often unclear, delayed, or redirected.

This site helps you become an adoptive family or ally, with clarity and confidence.

Led by Marcy Bursac
Adoptive Mom • Researcher • Advocate

The Gap

Across the U.S. organizations and media highlight the urgent need for adoptive families for children in foster care.

Many adults respond with sincere interest. But once they reach out, the process often stalls, becomes unclear, or redirects them into foster parent licensing — even when adoption is their specific goal.

Awareness isn’t enough. Understanding the difference matters.

We need families who choose to adopt and a clear path to do so.

The path becomes clear here.

How You Can Take Action

Find What Fits You

Grounded in Research & Practice

This work is informed by national research, lived experience, and more than a decade of guiding adults to adopt children and sibling groups waiting in the foster care system. Through The Forgotten Adoption Option, more than 12,000 prospective adoptive parents across the United States have been supported.

This work is grouned in research, lived experience, and more than a decade of guiding adults to adopt children and sibling groups waiting in the foster care system. Through The Forgotten Adoption Option, more than 12,000 prospective adoptive parents across the United States have been supported.

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