Analea
Adopted
Adopt With The
Open your heart and home to a child in need. Explore the transformative path of adoption, guided by our expertise and compassionate support.
Our Children
Every child deserves love. So, we created the Heart Gallery of Tampa to find forever families for Tampa’s foster children. These kids are just like any other kids, only they’ve experienced abuse, abandonment, and neglect. They find themselves in foster care through no fault of their own. What they need most is a family. The Heart Gallery gives them a face, a voice and a place to shine.
The confidentiality and safety of our children is very important to us. The Heart Gallery of Tampa’s waiting and matched child profiles will only be accessible to those families who have approved home studies, are current licensed foster parents, or work within the system of care.
Login or Register to see children currently waiting to be matched.
The Adoption
Process
Step 1
Get started by contacting Jenny Kassay Jenny@HeartGalleryTampa.org to be connected to adoption orientation through Children ’ s Network Hillsborough.
Step 2
After adoption orientation, you will be assigned to an agency to complete your 8 week Pre – Service training program.
Step 3
During training, you will be given information and direction on the Adoption Home Study process. Adoption Home Studies include background screenings, references, and an in – depth assessment of your family and home to ensure you are prepared and ready to adopt.
Step 4
Learn about children who are waiting to be adopted by visiting our Waiting Kids page; attend Adoption Recruitment Events to meet the children; and work with the Heart Gallery Adoptive Family Recruiter to determine which children your family might be a match for.
Step 5
Once you have been selected as a potential family for a child, you and other potential families will attend multiple meetings to learn about the child and their history and for the child’s team to get to know your family.
Step 6
Once your family has been selected as the best match for a child, a plan will be made for you to meet, spend time together and begin the transition into your family and home. When everyone is comfortable, the child will move into your home and must live with you for a minimum of 90 days prior finalizing the adoption with the courts.
Step 7
Finalization! Your child will legally become a part of your family when you finalize in a court of law, complete with a new birth certificate listing you as the parent. Adoption finalization is a legal process that marks the beginning of a lifetime commitment.
Tips For Success
EDUCATE YOURSELF
The adoption process can be complex and emotional. Attend adoption information sessions, webinars, read books and blogs, and listen to stories from adoptive parents to better understand the journey you’re embarking on.
EVALUATE YOUR READINESS
Adoption is a life-long commitment. You should assess your emotional, physical, and
financial readiness to ensure you can provide a stable and loving environment for the child.
CREATE A SUPPORT NETWORK
Building a network of friends, family, and other adoptive families can provide invaluable emotional support and practical advice throughout your adoption journey.
STAY PATIENT AND POSITIVE
The adoption process can take time, and there can be unforeseen delays and challenges. Maintain patience and optimism, remembering the joy at the end of this journey.
BE OPEN AND HONEST
Throughout the process, maintain open communication with your social worker, the
adoption agency, and most importantly, the child. Your honesty will help form a strong foundation of trust and understanding.
Requirements
AGE
In Florida, the adoptive parent must be at least 21 years old, unless the adoption agency provides an exception based on good cause.
HOME STUDY
A home study is mandatory for all prospective adoptive parents in Florida. It includes an assessment of your home environment, interviews, criminal background checks, and education about adoption.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Both federal and state-level criminal history checks are required, including fingerprinting. Abuse and neglect checks are also conducted.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
There is no specific income requirement, but prospective parents must demonstrate
financial stability and ability to care for a child.
RESIDENCY
There is no specific residency requirement for adopting in Florida. Both residents and non-residents can adopt.
ADOPTION EDUCATION
Florida requires prospective parents to complete a 27-hour PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) course.
Adoption Support & Resources
FAQs
If a child in foster care is in the Heart Gallery, reunification with their biological family was not possible so an adoptive family is needed. Most Heart Gallery children are at least 9 years old, part of a sibling group, and/or have special needs. All children in foster care have experienced abuse, abandonment, and/or neglect; therefore, need support to heal from the trauma they have experienced.
All children are different, with a variety of unique strengths and needs so all types of families are needed. In Florida, you must be at least 21 to adopt a child from foster care. There are no restrictions based on age, race, marital status, or sexual orientation. You may live in a home or apartment that you own or rent. Adoptive parents must have a stable income sufficient to support their family.
In Florida, there is no cost to adopt a child from foster care. In fact, families who adopt may qualify for a monthly adoption subsidy. Health care for children adopted from foster care is covered by Medicaid until age 18. They also receive free tuition at any Florida state college, university, or vocational school.
Federal tax credits and exemptions may also be available. Visit the IRS website to learn more.
Prospective adoptive parents must complete Adoption Orientation, a 36-hour Professional Parenting course, have an approved home study, and approved background screenings. Most importantly, you must be willing to make a lifelong commitment to a child in need.
Yes. One of the benefits of adopting from Florida is having access to a comprehensive case history. You will be given information on the child’s background, medical history, and personality. This information helps you determine if your family is the right fit for the child.
This can vary greatly depending on the situation. However, as a general rule, it usually takes about 12 months from the time a family begins training to the time when a child is placed with the family.
Yes! Your approved home study should be accepted by any child welfare agency. Each circumstance will be assessed to determine if it is appropriate for a child to move out of state. Keep in mind these adoptions can be more complex and take longer, depending on the case.
Adoptions appear to be more stable when parents have flexible and realistic expectations for their children and when they use post-adoption supports to help with challenges.
We’re Here for You
Have questions or thoughts to share? Reach out. We’re always eager to connect and share more about The Heart Gallery.
