The Special Needs Adoption Coalition (SNAC) is a public-private cooperative effort between the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and licensed private adoption agencies. SNAC is dedicated to recruiting, preparing, screening, and counseling families for the adoption of Oregon children in the state foster care system. Red Thistle Adoptions is a licensed SNAC adoption agency.

Ages of Oregon’s waiting children vary; some are toddlers, but most are school aged. They are ethnically diverse. Due to neglect and/or abuse, some may have cognitive, physical, and emotional delays or disabilities. Some wait in sibling groups, while others wait alone. What they have in common is that each child’s story is unique and is in need of a loving, permanent home.

Take a moment to consider how you can help a waiting child. Perhaps you are ready to inquire about the process of a special needs adoption. Or maybe you are willing to provide a safe and temporary foster home while a child waits for a permanent placement. You might even know of a neighbor or relative whom you think could qualify as a great adoptive resource. Let us work together to support Oregon's waiting children.

SNAC publishes a monthly newsletter called Family Matters. Each issue features descriptions and photos of Oregon children in state care waiting to be adopted. Also included are informative adoption and parenting articles, personal testimonies, and statewide calendar of events. 

Like the diverse array of children waiting for homes, adoptive families come in assorted shapes and sizes. There are no rigid requirements for becoming an adoptive parent. SNAC encourages stable, nurturing families and single parents to consider adopting a special needs child.

Step One: SNAC and local DHS branches offer introductory adoption orientation meetings and pre-adopt training classes. They are free and require no obligation or commitment. The orientation meeting provides an opportunity to become acquainted with the adoption process, learn more about Oregon’s waiting children, and further explore special needs adoption. A series of pre-adoption training classes help prospective parents develop further insights into their capacity to adopt a special needs child.

Step Two: After completing orientation and pre-adoption classes, your family can begin the formal evaluation process. The first step is to complete a Red Thistle Adoptions Application. Your social worker will be an advocate to help your family prepare for the adoption. During the home study process the social worker will get to know your family. The social worker will pass on this information, in the form of a written home study report, to the DHS caseworkers of children that might be a good match. Prospective parents are invited to view bulletin books containing current child photos and descriptions.

Step Three: In conjunction with child's caseworker, once a family and their social worker declare a formal and mutual interest in a waiting child or sibling group, an Adoption Committee is scheduled. Committees usually occur when there are one to three candidate families for a child or sibling group. Each Adoption Committee, comprised of objective adoption professionals, is dedicated to assessing each child's needs, in conjunction with strengths and abilities of candidate families. Based on best interests of child, Committee selects family with whom the child will be placed.    

It is a legal requirement in Oregon to have an approving home study report before adopting. The home study is a written report completed by an adoption social worker, who assesses the family as an adoptive resource. The Home Study Report is submitted to waiting children’s DHS caseworkers and Adoption Committee members when a family is being considered for a child. The Home Study Report is also sent to the Court during the finalization process.

Under the DHS policy, a Home Study Report is valid for two years. An update is done when, during the two-year period of its validity, changes within family occur. Oregon criminal history checks are redone annually. If home study expires, a new home study must be done. SNAC adoption/foster care training is valid for two years.

After child is placed, the DHS requires visits every 30 days and quarterly reports. Your social worker will conduct face-to-face visits, provide encouragement, be a resource, and write post-placement reports until the adoption is finalized.