Foster and Adoptive Care
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"Change a Lifetime"
May is National Foster Care Month - Foster Care Appreciation Month!
5th Annual Trasured Keiki Day on Maui, 25 May 2009
Check out Neighbor Island events
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November is National Adoption Month and November 21 is National Adoption Day in 2009
OUR MAIN GOAL: To find forever families for children and connect those interested in adoption with a committed entity that with ensure a child (or children, hopefully) has a loving permanent home.
Checkout the National Adoption Day Resource
"Answering the Call - You don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. There are thousands of teens in foster care who would love to put up with you."
Selection of Foster & Adoptive Parents
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is sharing these frequently asked questions regarding the process and criteria in the selection of foster/adoptive parents.
1. What process does DHS follow in approving foster/adoptive parents?
The approval process requires the social worker to:
- Conduct child abuse and neglect checks and criminal history clearances on all adult household members
- Conduct a home visit
- Obtain references on the prospective foster/adoptive parent(s)
- Obtain medical reports for the prospective foster/adoptive parent(s) and TB clearances for all adult household members
- Obtain a copy of a marriage certificate, if applicable, for the prospective foster/adoptive parents
- Obtain financial information and employment history for the prospective foster/adoptive parents
2. What criminal or child abuse history would disqualify a person from being a foster or adoptive parent?
The Department of Human Services adheres to the Federal Law which prohibits the licensing of a foster parent/home if:
- At any time, there has been a felony conviction for child abuse and neglect; spousal abuse; a crime against a child or children, including child pornography; or a crime involving violence, including rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical assault or battery.
- If within the last five years, there has been a felony conviction for physical assault, battery or a drug related offense.
Other situations of confirmed child abuse and neglect cases and other criminal convictions would need to be assessed if they pose a risk to children in care.
3. Do prospective foster and adoptive parents receive any training?
Yes, applicants are required to attend an 18-hour pre-service training, called PRIDE. Partners In Development Foundation-Hui Ho'omalu (PIDF) is contracted by the Department to provide the training.
If you are interested in becoming a foster/adoptive parent, PIDF can be reached at
Partners in Development Foundation
680 Iwilei Road, Suite 500
Honolulu, HI 96817
Oahu Intake Phone Number: (808)441-1117
East Hawaii Phone Number: (808)987-5988
West Hawaii Phone Number: (808)896-3829
Kaua'i Phone Number: (808)346-8184
Maui Phone Number: (808)268-5122
Toll Free Phone Number: (888)879-8970
E-mail: hui@pidfoundation.org
Read our Hui Ho'omalu Statewide Resource Advisory Committe (RAC) Newsletters
Hawaii Caregivers and the Court Guide
Foster Parent Basics -- Helpful Information for DHS Foster/Resource Families
Resources for Foster-Adoptive Parents
Comparison of Permanency Options: Rights, Responsibilities & Benefits regarding Adoption, Legal Guardianship and Permanent Custody
Licensed Agencies in Hawaii
