FAQ’s

NO. Both parents can be working as long as appropriate childcare arrangements are made. However, if you are adopting, you will be asked to take some time off from your job for the time it takes to have a child placed in your home and for you and your child to begin the process of emotional attachment. Ask your employer now what benefit packages are available to you as an adoptive parent that includes financial support and leave time.

Yes, single men and women can also adopt. In fact, approximately one-fourth of the children adopted from the public foster care system are adopted by single individuals.

Contact San Bernardino County Adoption and Foster Care for an orientation schedule. After you attend the orientation and pick-up an application, you will be invited to the P.R.I.D.E. Training and your homestudy will begin. A homestudy is a series of meetings with a social worker to provide more in-depth information about adoption and help prepare an applicant for parenting an adopted child. The homestudy process consists of individual and joint interviews with both members of a couple or individual interviews with a single person. Applicants will be asked to provide written information about themselves and their life experiences.

Certain documents will also be required: a marriage license, birth certificate, medical report, criminal check and child abuse clearance. Personal character references are also required. The homestudy includes at least one visit to your home by your social worker. The time it takes to complete the homestudy will vary but families who are interested in children with special needs are usually given prompt attention.

​The time it takes to complete the home-study will vary between six to nine months but families who are interested in children with special needs are usually given prompt attention and will be placed with adoptive children in a matter of months.

At the County of San Bernardino, there is no fee to adopt. Adoptive families may qualify for the Non-recurring Adoption Expense Program. The program reimburses families for adoption related expenses that they incur during the adoption process. The amount of reimbursement is limited to $400 per child.

Adoptive parents may also qualify for a federal tax credit for certain expenses paid to adopt an eligible child with special needs and a State tax credit for adopting a child who was in the custody of a California public child welfare agency. For further information about the federal adoption tax benefit, contact the Internal Revenue Services at www.irs.gov or 1-800-829-1040 and request Publication 968. For further information about the State tax benefit, contact the California Franchise Tax Board at www.ftb.ca.gov or 1-800-852-5711 and request information on Credit for Child Adoption Costs – Tax Credit Code 197.

Services of an attorney are not necessary in a County of San Bernardino adoption.

CDSS or the licensed public or private adoption agency which handled the adoption can give birth parents some information on the status of the adoption and general non-identifying background information regarding the adoptive parents including information on the progress of the child at the time of the adoption. This service is only for adoptions finalized in California. You must request this information by writing to the below address. This service is not available through email requests.

California Department of Social Services
744 P Street, M/S 19-67
Sacramento, CA 95814

Also, you may request this information by writing directly to the licensed adoption agency (if known). Your letter must include the name you used at the time of the adoption, and the child’s name (if named) and date of birth. Your signature must be notarized by a notary public. If you do not know the name of the licensed adoption agency, you may request the name from the CDSS at the above address.

​As long as you are in good health and have the energy and desire to be a parent; age is not a decisive factor. A 50-or-55 year-old person or couple may be perfect for the adoption of an older child.

​YES. You don’t have to own a house to give a home. You can rent or own as long as your home is safe and has enough room for family members. What is most important is the love, understanding and guidance you can offer a child.

The Adoption Assistance Program can provide financial assistance and some medical coverage for many of today’s waiting foster children. This assistance may continue until the child is 18 or, in certain circumstances, age 21.

Adoption is a legal process which permanently gives parental rights to adoptive parents. Adoption means taking a child into your home as a permanent family member. It means caring for and guiding children through their growing years and giving them the love and understanding they need to develop their full potential.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) or the licensed public or private adoption agency which handled the adoption can provide nonidentifying background information on birth parents to adoptees. This information includes general facts about the birth parents, and their medical history. This service is only for adoptions finalized in California. You must request this information by writing to the below address. This service is not available through email requests.

California Department of Social Services
744 P Street, M/S 19-67
Sacramento, CA 95814

Also, you may request this information by writing directly to the licensed adoption agency (if known). Your letter must include your name, birth date, and the full names of both of your adoptive parents. Also, your signature must be notarized by a notary public. Some licensed private adoption agencies charge a fee for this service. If you do not know the name of the licensed adoption agency, you may request the name from the CDSS at the above address.

Most children waiting to be adopted are school-aged or brothers and sisters who need to stay together. Many have emotional disabilities; others have physical, mental or developmental disabilities. More than half of the children come from minority cultures.
Caucasian children under five years old may have severe medical disabilities or have older brothers and sisters. African American children, Latino children, and children of mixed heritage cover a wider age range and include healthy infants. The majority are boys.

Most children waiting for adoption live in foster homes or Short-term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTP) because their parents were unable to care for them. Often, personal and family problems made it impossible for the parents to maintain a home for their children. Some of these children have been abused, neglected or abandoned. All need the love of a permanent family.

California does not have a mutual consent registry. However, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) operates a statewide Consent Program for adoptees (age 18 and over), birth parents, and siblings of adoptees who are 21 years of age or older. The Program is only for adoptions finalized in California and the specified parties may participate by submitting a Consent For Contact form (for adoptees and birth parents), or a Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality of Adoption Records For Siblings. You may obtain these forms by contacting CDSS at (916) 322-3778, or by contacting your local licensed public or private adoption agency. Upon receipt of a notarized consent form from an adoptee and a birth parent, or a notarized waiver form from an adoptee and a sibling, CDSS or the licensed adoption agency which handled the adoption can disclose the names and last known addresses of both parties so they may directly contact each other. CDSS and adoption agencies are prohibited by law from soliciting consents or waivers, and do not provide search services to adoptees, birth parents or siblings.

​A stepparent adoption occurs when a stepparent petitions the court for adoption of his/her spouse’s child (current spouse of stepparent) from a former marriage/relationship. In order to petition the court for a stepparent adoption, you must be married and living together as a family for a minimum of one year. The rights of the non-custodial parent must be terminated before the minor can be adopted. Termination of parental rights can be achieved through various methods, one of those is consent. Consents are signed before a county clerk, a probation officer or, if designated by the county board of supervisors, or an employee of the county welfare department.

County government handles these requests exclusively, investigations are handled by the Department of Children and Family Services, and all legal issue are handled by the court. For information regarding stepparent adoption, contact San Bernardino County Adoption Services at (909) 891-3300 and ask for the Step-Parent Adoption Worker or, the Step-Parent Adoption Program Supervisor.

Adoption is the permanent legal assumption of all parental rights and responsibilities for a child. Adoptive parents have the same legal rights and responsibilities as parents whose children are born to them. Guardianship establishes responsibility, which is not permanent, for caring for and financially supporting a child and may be subject to ongoing supervision of the court.  For information on non-relative guardianships, contact San Bernardino County Adoption Services at (909) 891-3300 and ask for the Guardianship Worker or Program Supervisor.

• In San Bernardino area call: 909-384-9233
• Outside of the San Bernardino area call: 1-800-827-8724
• or contact local law enforcement

Supervision of children is basic to the prevention of harm. Adequate supervision means an adult caregiver is accountable for the child’s care. Although, there is no California law that defines a specific age at which a child may be left home alone, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding how closely to supervise a child, including:

• The age, emotional maturity and capability of the child;
• Layout and safety of the home, play area, or other setting;
• Neighborhood circumstances, hazards, and risks;
• The child’s ability to respond to illness, fire, weather, or other types of emergencies;
• Whether the child has a mental, physical, or medical disability.

The number of children left unsupervised, the accessibility to other responsible adults, the length of time or frequency with which the child is left alone, and the child’s knowledge of the parent’s whereabouts are additional relevant factors.

Repeated Injuries: Bruises, welts, burns. Parents may seem unconcerned, deny that anything is wrong, or give unlikely explanations for the injuries.

Neglected Appearance: Children often are badly nourished, inadequately clothed, are left alone or are wandering at all hours, always seem as if nobody cares. (Sometimes, though, over-neatness may be a sign of abuse.)

Disruptive Behavior: Very aggressive, negative behavior constantly repeated can signal a desperate need for attention and help.

Passive Withdrawn Behavior: When children are excessively shy and friendless, it may indicate that there are serious problems at home.

Parents Who Are “Super-Critical”: Parents who discipline their children frequently and severely may begin to abuse them when their unrealistic standards are not met.

Families That Are Extremely: Parents who don’t share in school or community activities and resent friendly contacts may be distrustful of people, afraid of their help.

Use caution and good sense in identifying child abuse. Every parents makes errors in judgment and action at some time but when it becomes plain that there is a pattern or it is becoming one, then it’s time for help.

Nature of the harm or specific incident(s) that precipitated the report

In the case of an imminent danger, call 911 immediately!

Call the County Adult Protective Services (APS) agency CAAHL Center 24 Hour Toll Free Hotline 1-877-565-2020 or the local law enforcement agency immediately or as soon as practicably possible

Complete a written report on the Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse (SOC 341) Form and send to 412 West Hospitality Lane or fax to (909) 388-6718 within two working days.

Physical abuse includes assault, battery, assault with a deadly weapon, unreasonable physical constraint, prolonged or continual deprivation of food or water, sexual assault and rape.

Psychological/mental abuse includes fear, agitation, confusion, severe depression and other forms of serious emotional distress that are brought about by threats, harassment and intimidation.

Financial abuse can result from taking, secreting or appropriating money or property of an elder or dependent adult by a person who has the care or custody of, or who is in a position of trust to an elder or dependent adult.

Negligence occurs if a caregiver fails to assist the elder or dependent adult in personal hygiene; provide food, clothing or shelter; protect from health and safety hazards; or prevent malnutrition or dehydration.

Abduction means the removal from California and/or the restraint from returning to California of any elder or dependent adult who does not have the capacity to consent to the removal from or restraint from returning to California.

Abandonment means the desertion or willful forsaking of an elder or a dependent adult by anyone who has care or custody of that person under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care and custody.

Isolation means prevention from receiving phone calls or mail, false imprisonment or physical restraint from meeting with visitors.

Neglect means the negligent failure of any person, including the individual having the care or custody of an elder or a dependent adult, to exercise that degree of care that a reasonable person, in a like position, would exercise, to include failure to assist in personal hygiene or in the provision of food, clothing or shelter; or failure to provide medical care, to protect from health and safety hazards, prevent malnutrition or dehydration.

When a person notifies the Department of Aging and Adult Services regarding possible abuse or neglect of an elder/dependent adult, Adult Protective Services (APS) social workers determine how quickly to proceed with an investigation by assessing the referral information and focusing on the present and future risks to the elder/dependent adult. Considering the condition of the elder/dependent adult and the risk of future maltreatment helps a social worker determine how quickly to respond to a APS referral and what priority to assign that referral. This process involves accepting oral or written allegations of elder/dependent adult abuse or neglect for further investigation, gathering the information to determine the need for APS and the urgency of the situation and initiating the appropriate response and an investigative plan.

• Nature of the harm or specific incident(s) that precipitated the report
• Date(s) and description(s) of the injuries or danger
• Identities of perpetrator(s) and their relationship/s to the victim
• Witnesses to the incident(s) and how they may be reached
• Details of any physical evidence available
• Does the perpetrator have current access to the elder/dependent adult?
• Present condition of the elder/dependent adult (alone, in need of medical
  attention, etc.)
• The location of the elder/dependent adult and directions to get there
• Any statements from the elder/dependent adult
• How the reporter came to know the information and the reporter’s thoughts
  about the likelihood of further harm to the elder/dependent adult

These are just several examples of the questions that may be asked when reporting abuse or neglect of dependent or elderly adults. The reporter’s
identity is confidential, but a name should be given so the Department could follow-up contact with the reporter if necessary. The reporter is free from
civil or criminal liability for reports of suspected elder/dependent adult abuse or neglect made in good faith.

Elder/dependent adult abuse is the mistreatment of an elder or dependent adult person. The law defines elder/dependent adult abuse as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, which causes distress or results in harm or loss to an elder or dependent adult.

Any person who has assumed full or intermittent responsibility for care or custody of an elder or dependent adult, whether or not that person receives compensation, including administrators, supervisors, and any licensed staff of a public or private facility that provides care or services for elder or dependent adults, or any elder or dependent adult care custodian, health practitioner, clergy member, or employee of a county adult protective services agency or a local law enforcement agency, is a mandated reporter.

Elder means any person residing in the State of California, 65 years of age or older.

Dependent adult means any person between the ages of 18 and 64 years who resides in California and who has physical or mental limitations that restrict his or her ability to carry out normal activities or to protect his or her rights, including, but not limited to, persons who have physical or developmental disabilities, or whose physical or mental abilities have diminished because of age.

Everyone is encouraged to report suspected elderly/dependent adult abuse and neglect.

All mandated reporters who, in their professional capacity, or within the scope of their employment have observed, suspects, or have knowledge of an incident that reasonably appears to be abusive or are told by an elder or a dependent adult that he or she has experienced behavior constituting in abuse must make a report.

You may work full time and have foster children over the age of 5 years.  We require that for children 5 and younger that an at home parent is available.  Infants and toddlers need the full-time care provided by an at-home parent.

Additionally, resource families who work full time usually are not available when social workers need to place children in resource homes; and full time employment restricts the time resource families are available to foster children for whom they provide care. Resource families are also responsible for providing transportation to family visits, doctor visits, therapy visits as required by child’s needs.

We are looking for a stable family-type setting in which to place foster children. This can be a single parent, married couple, or an unmarried couple with a stable relationship. Anyone living in the home over the age of 18 years must be involved in the approval process.

You must have a stable and verifiable source of income to take care of your family. California State Regulations require that foster families must be able to meet all their family’s financial needs. Foster Care cannot be used as income for this purpose.

Resource homes must have safely operating vehicles that are insured and large enough to transport the entire family.   Foster children will need to be taken for visitation with parents and other family members, to court, medical & dental appointments, school, and extra-curricular activities.  If a resource family does not have a valid driver’s license, they must present a feasible plan on how the children will be transported to necessary activities.

Resource families must have phone service and telephone numbers, (land line or cell) that are accurate and unblocked.  Resource families must be available to receive telephone calls for possible placement at all time.

Each foster child must have his or her own bed and may share a bedroom with only one other child.  When sharing a bedroom, children over the age of five must be of the same gender.

For more information about Resource Families please call:

909-891-3300 or 1-800-722-4477

or write to:

Resource Family Approval Program
1495 S. E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415

To begin the process of becoming a resource or adoptive parent you are required to attend a Resource Parent Orientation.  We currently offer Orientation sessions several times a month at various locations throughout the county.  To find out specific dates and locations of upcoming Orientation sessions, you can call 1-800-722-4477.  The application process will be explained greater detail at these sessions.

​The number of foster children that can be placed in a resource home varies depending on the size and capacity of the home. California State Licensing Regulations set an absolute limit of six children who can reside in a resource home, with no more than two children per bedroom. *This limit of six children includes the number of ALL children permitted in the home, including your biological children.

Resource families do not get paid for providing care to the children placed in their homes. However, for each child placed in your home you will receive a foster care reimbursement to be used for caring for and meeting the needs of the children placed in your homes.  These needs include providing adequate and appropriate clothing and feeding of the foster child. The basic foster care rates depend on various factors including the age of the child. For children who have special requirements, there is a specialized care increment, and the ranges are determined by the child’s social worker.

​It is difficult to say when you will get your first placement. Generally speaking, you complete the licensing process, which includes having a Home Study competed, and receive your license. Once, your foster care license has been approved and issued, social workers can begin calling you to place a child.

Contact the Colton Transitional Assistance Department
2040 Woodpine Ave. Colton CA 92324
(909) 421-4029

​These are children who may be severely neglected, suffering from physical or sexual abuse and may have emotional problems related to their experiences. The children’s behavior may not be appropriate to their ages. Many of these children may also be behind in school and need someone to support and advocate for them in the educational system.   Regardless of the physical and emotional problems with which these children must deal, they all need a safe, nurturing home environment.

​California State Licensing Regulations require an applicant to be an adult who is at least 18 years of age. However, this is only one factor to be considered. We are also looking for a solid background in parenting children. Such a background is seldom, if ever, present in young adults. As a rule of thumb, we look for people who have attained at least ten years of adulthood.

CFS is currently unable to offer any field experience for undergraduates or individuals in technical or business schools. If you are interested in exposure to the field of Social Work please volunteer by calling (909) 891-3300.  To volunteer in San Bernardino County please visit the following webpage and complete the Volunteer/Unpaid Student Intern Application at the following link: Volunteer Unpaid Student Intern Application.

Due to the criteria for internship placement and stringent guidelines of each Social Work Department you will need to speak to a Social Work Department advisor first. Once you obtain all guidelines from your department contact (909) 891-3300.

Due to the criteria for internship placement and stringent guidelines of each Social Work Department you will need to speak to a Social Work Department advisor first. Once you obtain all guidelines from your department contact at (909) 386-1100.

CFS is currently unable to offer any field experience for undergraduates or individuals in technical or business schools. If you are interested in exposure to the field of Social Work, please volunteer by calling (909) 891-3300. To volunteer in San Bernardino County please visit the following webpage and complete the Volunteer/Unpaid Student Intern Application at the following link: Volunteer Unpaid Student Intern Application.

1. Call the child abuse hotline at 909-384-9233(San Bernardino area) or 1-800-827-8724 (outside of San Bernardino).

2. Complete a Suspected Child Abuse Report (SS 8572 Rev 12/02) for each child that you report and fax it to 909-891-3545 or 909-891-3560. You do not need to mail the original. If you do not have access to a fax machine, mail the form attention: Child Abuse Hotline, PO Box 268, San Bernardino 92324.

For information on Mandated Reporter Training please click here .

The report alleges harm or imminent risk of harm to the child.
The alleged perpetrator is:

• A parent or caretaker
• A relative or other person living in the home
• An educator, volunteer, or employee of a recreational/organizational setting who is responsible for the child; or any individual providing treatment, care or supervision.

When a person notifies Children and Family Services (CFS) regarding possible abuse or neglect of a child, CFS social work staff determines how quickly to proceed with an investigation by assessing the referral information and focusing on the present and future risks to the child. Considering the condition of the child and the risk of future maltreatment helps a social worker determine how quickly to respond to a CFS referral and what priority to assign that referral. This process involves accepting oral or written allegations of child abuse or neglect for further investigation, gathering the information to determine the need for CFS and the urgency of the situation and initiating the appropriate response and an investigative plan.

Child abuse and neglect occurs when a child is mistreated, resulting in injury or risk of harm. Abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual.

Physical Abuse is defined as non-accidental physical trauma or injury inflicted by a parent or caretaker on a child. It also includes a parent’s or a caretaker’s failure to protect a child from another person who perpetrated physical abuse on a child. In its most severe form, physical abuse is likely to cause great bodily harm or death.

Physical Neglect is defined, as the failure to provide for a child’s physical survival needs to the extent that there is harm or risk of harm to the child’s health or safety. This may include, but is not limited to abandonment, lack of supervision, life endangering physical hygiene, lack of adequate nutrition that places the child below the normal growth curve, lack of shelter, lack of medical or dental that results in health threatening conditions, and the inability to meet basic clothing needs of a child. In its most severe form, physical neglect may result in great bodily harm or death.

Sexual Abuse includes penetration or external touching of a child’s intimate parts, oral sex with a child, indecent exposure or any other sexual act performed in a child’s presence for sexual gratification, sexual use of a child for prostitution, and the manufacturing of child pornography. Child sexual abuse is also the willful failure of the parent or the child’s caretaker to make a reasonable effort to stop child sexual abuse by another person.

Emotional Abuse includes verbal assaults, ignoring and indifference or constant family conflict. If a child is degraded enough, the child will begin to live up to the image communicated by the abusing parent or caretaker.

Child abuse can happen anywhere; in poor, middle-class or well-to-do homes, in rural or urban areas.

Children and Family Services (CFS) encourages everyone to report suspected child abuse and neglect. The exception is those professions that have an inherent responsibility to report by virtue of their positions, and thus they are mandated to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Mandated reporters are those individuals who in the course of their work come in contact with families and children.

The following professionals are Mandated reporters (Penal Code Section 11165.7) and as such are required to report suspected/alleged child abuse and neglect to a child protective agency (police or CFS) and file a mandated reporter form within 36 hours of submitting an oral report.

Any one whose duties require direct contact and supervision of children.

Medical, Dental and Hospital Personnel. (including physicians, surgeons, dentists, residents, interns, podiatrists, chiropractors, licensed nurses, dental hygienists, optometrists, medical examiners, coroners, emergency medical technicians I & II, paramedics.)

Mental Health Professionals and Counselors (including psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed and unlicensed marriage, family and child counselors and trainees, psychological assistants, alcohol and drug counselors.)

School Officials and Educators (including public, classified or private: teachers, instructional aides, teacher’s assistants, administrative officers, supervisors of child welfare and attendance, administrators or employees of a county office of education or the California Department of Education, school police.)

Social Service Personnel (including: public assistance workers, social workers, clinical social workers, child visitation monitors, county welfare employees.)

Clergy (including priests, ministers, rabbis, religious practitioners, or similarly functionary of a church, temple or recognized denomination or organization.)

Day Camp or Child-Care Providers (including public or private: administrators, licensees & employees of any youth center, youth recreational program, youth organization, licensed community care or child day care facility.)

Commercial Film and Photographic Print Processors (including those that develop exposed negatives, slides, or prints.)

Law Enforcement Personnel (including: any employee of any police department, county sheriff’s department, and county probation department. This includes probation officers, parole officers, police officers, peace officers & custodial officers.

Please visit California Department of Social Services or contact Child Care Licensing at 951-782-4200.

People interested in volunteering should call 909-386-3734 or visit Volunteer Involvement Program

Click on the following link: 211