Foster and Adoptive Care
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"Change a Lifetime"
November is National Adoption Month and November 15 is National Adoption Day in 2008
Save the dates Flyer!
November 21 HAPA's Opening Heart and Home to an Adopted or Foster Child
Please mark your calendars for this annual celebration of families and children. Entering its ninth year, National Adoption Day activities will take place in more than 300 cities across the United States. Traditionally held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year's event has been moved to November 15 to avoid coinciding with the nation's remembrance of the 45th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
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
