Adoption Services

Watch the Adopt Kansas Kids public service announcement with Gov. Brownback!

Gov. Sam Brownback and First Lady Mary Brownback are strong supporters of adoption. They got together with three siblings who are available for adoption, Nathan, Mercy and Naomi, to spread the word about the importance of adoption. Former SRS Secretary Rob Siedlecki also appears in this announcement. Click the graphic below to view the video or access the text version.

Adoption Program Information

When a child comes into the custody of the Secretary of Social & Rehabilitation Services (SRS), Child Welfare Case Management Providers work with the child and family to resolve issues so the child can return home. When it is not possible to reunite a child with the family, parental rights may be legally terminated or relinquished and the child is then available for adoption. Maintaining and strengthening the child's connection to their relatives, culture and community is essential. Concurrent case planning may occur to ensure that children move quickly to an alternative permanency goal if reunification is not possible. Throughout the life of the case relatives and non related kin are given first consideration as placement resources for the child(ren) so that if the child becomes free for adoption they are in a position to adopt the child(ren). Some children are placed in other kinds of homes when a relative or non related kin is unavailable or unable to provide care for them. Most children available for adoption through SRS have suffered abuse and/or neglect, and have significant medical, emotional, and developmental needs. The Child Welfare Case Management Providers are responsible for recruiting homes for children who do not have another resource for adoption. Kansas Children Service League (KCSL) is the adoption exchange provider and gathers the information to list children and families on the adoption exchange web site. If you are interested in adopting, contact http://www.adoptkskids.org/ or call Adopt Kansas Kids: 877-457-5430. More helpful information concerning adoption can be found at:

 Every Child Deserves a Loving Caring Home

Or at these sites:
http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption
http://www.adoptuskids.org/

Adoption Assistance

Adoption assistance is available to help adoptive families meet the special needs of the children they adopt. SRS staff are responsible for identifying children who have special needs that present financial barriers to adoption. Assistance can include services for children who have significant medical, emotional, or developmental needs. It may include a special one-time payment to provide for legal fees or an ongoing monthly financial subsidy. The type and amount of subsidy is negotiated with the prospective adoptive parents. Consideration is given to the specific needs of the child, income, and available resources. Subsidy often is used for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, or have ongoing pre-existing needs that are not covered by family health insurance.

Adoption Assistance Brochure
 

SRS conducts adoption searches for adoptees and birth parents for private and SRS adoptions that were finalized in the State of Kansas. The adoptee must be 18 years of age or older before a search can be requested. Searches for birth siblings are only conducted if the adoptee and birth siblings had an established relationship prior to being adopted and if the birth sibling is currently 18 years old or older. Searches are not conducted for extended family members such as grandparents, aunts, etc; however, extended family members may send SRS a letter to be placed in the adoptee's file.

Available forms below:

7002-Adult Adoptee Searching for Birth Parents  
          doc  or   pdf
7003-Birth Parents requesting contact with Adult Adoptee 
           doc  or   pdf
7004-Adult Requesting Search for Birth Siblings
          doc  or   pdf
7005-Authorization to Release Information 
          doc  or   pdf