Adoption/Foster Care Services

LCFS is fully accredited by the State of Indiana and has nearly 120 years of experience as a child-placing agency. We sponsor regular adoption information meetings to provide information about the adoption process and the special needs children who are currently available for adoption or foster care in Indiana. We also subscribe to Indiana's Adoptive Initiative "Picture Book" (www.adoptachild.in.gov).

Domestic Adoption
LCFS offers counseling to unmarried birth parents who must make a decision regarding the welfare of a child born as a result of an unplanned pregnancy. We will help you explore all possibilities to place your child in a loving adoptive home.

International Adoption
LCFS offers home studies and post-placement services to families who adopt internationally.

Special Needs Adoption
Through a contract with the State of Indiana, LCFS provides all the training and preparation families need to adopt a special needs child. Adoptable children are considered "special needs" if they fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Children age 2 or older.
  

• Emotionally, behaviorally, mentally, physically, developmentally disabled or at risk of becoming so.
  

• Sibling groups or biologically related children whose best interest is to stay together.
  

LCFS sponsors regular adoption information meetings to provide information about the adoption process and about the special needs children who are currently available for adoption in Indiana.

For a schedule of information meetings or training, call (317) 353-6466 ex. 115.

Therapeutic Foster Care Services

Have you ever wondered how you can protect and help a child who has been abused or neglected? By becoming a foster care parent, you can be a part of a treatment team that does just that.

We offer free training, licensing, financial assistance, on-going support and respite care for kinship and foster care parents. The training includes a 36-hour State approved curriculum as well as a family preparation assessment.

In partnership with Gallahue Mental Health Services, LCFS provides Therapeutic Foster Care services to children in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. We seek Treatment Foster Parents to provide a safe, healthy family environment for children who have behavioral and emotional problems.

While children are in our TFC program, professionals from LCFS and Gallahue provide ongoing support not only to the children, but also to their TFC and biological parents. We focus on helping children build on their individual strengths so they can develop the skills needed to become successful, well-balanced adults. Our treatment team works to reunify children with their biological families. If reunification does not succeed, our treatment foster families have the option to adopt the children placed in their care.

The following forms can be downloaded. (PDF Format)
All three forms will need to be completed and submitted

Treatment Foster Parent OR a Respite TFC Parent Form

Consent Form

Residency Attestation Form

Please complete, sign, print and mail (or fax) these forms to:

TFC Program Coordinator
Lutheran Child and Family Services
1525 N. Ritter Ave.
Indianapolis , IN 46219

OR

Faxed to: 317-322-4085

If you have any questions, contact the TFC Program Coordinator @ 317-353-6466 ex. 111.