Interested in adoption?
Discover what it means and how adopting children from foster care works.
What is adoption?
Adoption is the legal and emotional process that creates a lifelong parent-child relationship. Adoptive parents assume all the rights and responsibilities of birth parents, and adopted children enjoy the same emotional, social, and legal benefits as any child born into the family. Adoption provides children with the stability of a permanent, loving home and gives families the joy of welcoming a new member.
Types of adoption in Michigan
Michigan law allows for several types of adoption, including:
- State and Court Ward Adoption (children in foster care who are legally free)
- Private Agency Ward Adoption
- Direct Placement Adoption (birth parents select the adoptive family)
- Relative Adoption
- Stepparent Adoption
- Interstate/Intercountry
- Adult Adoption
Many adoptions in Michigan occur through the foster care system, which is typically low or no-cost for families.
Adoption vs. Foster Care
- Foster Care is temporary. Its primary goal is to reunify children with their birth families whenever it is safe.
- Adoption is permanent. Once a court has terminated a youth’s parental rights, they become legally free for adoption, and workers seek an adoptive family for them.
To learn more about foster care, visit the Michigan Foster Care Portal, MDHHS Foster Care webpage, or the Foster Care Navigator Program.
Understanding the Need
In 2024, about 10,000 children were in foster care in Michigan.
Of these, roughly 2,200 were legally free for adoption, and most were adopted by relatives or foster parents.
About 200 did not have an identified adoptive family, and that’s where MARE comes in. Our site photolists these youth, so families can find children who are waiting to achieve permanency.
Who are the waiting children?
They’re just like kids and teens you see every day. They’re full of hopes and dreams and deserve to be loved and valued for who they are. Most of them will also need patience and support as they heal from past trauma. They're also desperately hoping for what many of us take for granted: a caring, permanent family and home. Every child should grow up with someone who will show them unconditional love, cheer at their soccer game, share dinner around the table, or tuck them in at night. Someone who can help them to feel safe and secure.
Many waiting youth are older
Children in foster care who become available for adoption when they can’t return safely to their birth families are often adopted by relatives or foster parents. Those who wait for families tend to be in one or more of the following demographics:
- Over 10 years old
- African American
- Part of a sibling group
- Have physical, emotional, cognitive, and/or learning needs
What does "special needs" adoption mean?
It has to do with Federal Title IV-E Adoption Assistance eligibility. It does not necessarily mean a child has a medical or developmental disability, though some children do. A child is considered to have special needs if the state determines they cannot return home and have factors that make adoption more challenging, such as age, sibling status, racial or ethnic background, a medical condition, or physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. The state must also show that adoption without assistance was not possible or not in the child’s best interest. Children who qualify for this funding are also automatically eligible for Medicaid in Michigan.
Benefits of adoption
Adoption is so much more than a legal process. When youth are adopted, they gain:
- Stability and permanency – A family that will be there not just for a season, but for a lifetime.
- A sense of belonging – The knowledge that they are valued for who they are, not defined by what they’ve been through.
- Support in growing up – Families to help them build confidence, navigate school, and learn the skills they’ll need for adulthood.
- The chance to heal – With love, patience, and consistency, children can begin to heal from trauma and learn to trust again.
Ready to take the next step?
- Contact an Adoption Navigator at 1-800-589-6273.
- Learn more about the Adoption Process and visit our Adoption FAQ.
- View the Waiting Children on our website.