Find My Forever

In fact, every day, somewhere in the U.S., an individual or household finds they have love to spare. They discover they have space, resources, energy, time, and most importantly, attention to welcome another member into their home, into their family. They foster or adopt children. Right now, there are more than a hundred children in Clark County waiting for that opportunity. All they want is love, joy, and sense of belonging. For an adult to believe in them and support them into their future. And Find My Forever is here to help connect these kids to their Forever Family.

It might not always seem like it, but there’s a lot of love in the world.

If you are interested in adopting children featured in a Find My Forever profile above, please email dfsfindmyforever@clarkcountynv.gov

Social workers will walk them through the steps toward foster care. And, should the caregiver decide they want to adopt, the Find My Forever will guide them through that process, as well. Adoption can have many benefits for parents. For some, it can fulfill a lifelong dream of having children and family. It can also open adults to new perspectives and cultural experiences. It can help you grow as a person and enhance your quality of life. And parenthood provides a meaningful relationship and bond that will last a lifetime. Parents also know the pride and satisfaction of nurturing and guiding a young mind through life, into a successful adulthood of their own.

Part of Clark County Family Services, Find My Forever is a team of mentors that will work with any eligible parent or would-be parent to ensure that a child, teen, or sibling group is a good fit to join their family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

These boys and girls are temporarily living in foster care. Some are just starting school, while others are preparing to graduate. Some are alone, others with siblings they hold dear. Each child has a unique story, a distinct past, and an uncertain future. They all have different emotional, physical, and behavioral needs. They have all experienced different traumas. But they also each have their own talents, ambitions, and outlooks. Each has their own dream. And they all, like you, have love to give.

For the child, the impact of adoption is immeasurable.

Learn More

Adopting Children From Foster Care

You may be the right family for children in need of permanent care.

Learn More

Understand the steps required to become a foster parent.

Become a licensed foster parent

Take the first step in foster parenting. Join us for an information session.

Foster Care Information Session

"Kind, attentive, and compassionate are just a few of Bryanna’s great qualities."

Bryanna

Email us

learn more

“People always say how lucky the kids are, and that’s true. But the families who have adopted tell me that they feel like they’re the lucky ones,” says Lisa Martinez, LMSW, deputy director of Clark County DFS. “They talk about how much joy they’ve experienced. These children enrich your life.”

available for adoption

• Ages 8 and older • Sibling groups • Children who may have experienced trauma • Children who may have developmental, emotional, physical or behavioral needs.

Who are the children we are recruiting for?

By StoryStudio on August 13, 2024

more from Clark County

Who are the children we are recruiting for?

Will I be able to specify what age, gender and special needs of children I wish to adopt?

Yes, as part of the home study process the adoption social worker will discuss your placement preferences. The Department of Family Services (DFS) will prepare adoption home studies for families who desire placement of children 8 and older. Younger children may be available as part of a sibling group.

Will I be able to specify what age, gender and special needs of a child I wish to adopt?

Are there infants/toddlers available for adoption through the Department of Family Services?

DFS does not recruit families for infant or toddlers. Younger children are usually adopted by relatives or foster parents, if the plan becomes adoption. Click here for more information about infant adoptions.

Are there infants/toddlers available for adoption through the Department of Family Services?

What are the minimum qualifications for a parent trying to adopt a child through Clark County?

• You must be at least 10 years older than the child you wish to adopt • You must be a resident of Clark County • Complete a Pre-Screen of your background and fingerprints. • Complete at least 24 hours of Professional Caregivers Pre-Service Training. • Complete an adoption application. • Complete a family home study. • Have your home approved for safety.

What are the minimum qualifications for a parent trying to adopt a child through Clark County?

What special skills and qualities do adoptive parents need?

Exercise sound judgment and decision-making to meet the safety, well-being and permanency needs of foster children. Be a part of a child and family team (CFT). Be able to explore your own family and background. Accept and respect each child as an individual Remain supportive of your child as they work through past traumatic experiences

What special skills and qualities do adoptive parents need?

Is there any training required?

Yes training is required and available at no cost. For households with two adults who desire to adopt a special needs child, both applicants must attend all training sessions together.

Can I bring children to the training class?

No. Seating is limited to adults only. Childcare is not provided.

Can I bring children to the training class?

Do I have to be married?

No. You can be single or married, in a domestic partnership, or living with a significant other. Couples who are not married can be adoptive parents, however in order to adopt, only one applicant can legally be the adoptive parent. State regulations require a couple who are legally married to adopt together. Domestic partners who are registered in Nevada can adopt together.

Do I have to be married?

Do I have to own my own home?

No. You can own or rent your residence. You can live in an apartment, house, condominium, townhouse, or mobile home. You will need to be able to provide an acceptable bedroom for yourself and a child.

Do I have to own my own home?

Do I have to have a lot of money?

No. DFS will look at your income and expenses to ensure that you are capable of providing for your current household needs as well as a child’s needs. Lack of sufficient income may preclude you from being approved to adopt.

Do I have to have a lot of money?

Is there any out of pocket expense to become an adoptive family?

Adoptive families may pay $45 per person by money order or cashier’s check to have their fingerprints processed. Adoptive families incur the cost of physical exams for all family members. Adoptive families also hire an attorney when it is time to finalize the adoption. Assistance may be available to reimburse adoptive families for legal fees up to $500 after the adoption is finalized.

Is there any out of pocket expense to become an adoptive family?

Will an arrest record automatically keep me from being an adoptive parent?

Any conviction may preclude a family from moving forward to the fingerprinting, training, home study and licensing process. A person’s overall criminal history will be reviewed and it may be determined from the review that a household will be precluded from moving forward to the fingerprinting, training, home study and licensing processes.

Will an arrest record automatically keep me from being an adoptive parent?

What if I’ve been investigated by Child Protective Services?

If you have had a substantiated case of child abuse and/or neglect, then you will be precluded from moving forward to the fingerprinting, training, home study and licensing processes. If the complaint was unsubstantiated, you may be asked to provide a written statement regarding the incident(s).

What if I’ve been investigated by Child Protective Services?

Will I be given information concerning the child’s needs?

Yes. The adoption social worker or caseworker will provide you full disclosure with as much information as is available to the department about the child’s needs. This may include, but are not limited to: • Child and family’s social history • Reasons for adoptive placement • Child’s personality and temperament • Child’s self-help skills and functioning level in comparison to his/her age • Child’s residential placement history • Child’s/sibling’s history of abuse/neglect/abandonment • Information on child’s siblings and strength of their relationship • Child and family’s health and medical history, including known hereditary conditions • Child’s birth records and developmental history • Child’s psychological and psychiatric history and reports • Information on child’s specific special needs • Child’s intellectual functioning and educational reports

Will I be given information concerning the child’s needs?

How long will the process take to become an approved adoptive parent?

From submission of the pre-screen forms to full licensure, the process may take a minimum of 3 to 6 months to complete if all requirements are met in a timely manner. Pre-service training takes a minimum of 8 weeks to complete.

How long will the process take to become an approved adoptive parent?

Am I expected to take any child that I am contacted about?

No. DFS understands that this is a very important decision and you need to feel comfortable with the placement of a child in your home.

Am I expected to take any child that I am contacted about?

Does the state provide any assistance to families who adopt children with special needs?

Yes, financial and/or medical assistance is available for children who meet the criteria of a special needs child. Adoptive families will apply for assistance as part of adoption process, prior to finalization.

Does the state provide any assistance to families who adopt children with special needs?

I want to adopt children through the County. How do I get started?

If you are interested in adoption, email the County Department of Family Services at DFSadoptions@ClarkCountyNV.gov. You may also call the department at (702) 455-0800.

I want to adopt a child through the County. How do I get started?

Tap to skip to next section

"This wonderful sibling group love each other dearly and come with so much energy."

Emila, Peter, and Anthony

"This wonderful sibling group love each other dearly and come with so much energy."

Emila, Peter, and Anthony