Adoptive Parents
Providing training, resources, and support for adoptive parents.
At Heartland for Children, we recognize that adoption is a lifelong journey. That’s why we’re committed to offering a wide range of resources and support for adoptive and prospective adoptive parents. Below, you’ll find a selection of helpful tools and recommended materials designed to support you every step of the way.
Are you an adoptive parent in need
of support & resources?
The State of Florida offers post adoption services to adoptive families. These types of services may include tuition waiver, mental health support groups, linkage to community resources and access to a Post Adoption Specialist to provide guidance.
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Maintenance Subsidy: A monthly subsidy may be paid to the adoptive family to meet the needs of the child as requirements are adhered to until the age of 18. The first subsidy check arrives 6 to 8 weeks after adoption finalization. The adoption subsidy includes Medicaid coverage, and both will continue to age 18.
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Federal Tax Credit: Families that adopt special needs children may be eligible for a tax credit on their federal income taxes. Please follow up with your tax professional for more information on tax credits available to adoptive families.
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College Assistance for Adopted Children: Children that are adopted through the Department of Children and Families after May 5, 1997, may be eligible to receive a college tuition waiver at Florida public universities, colleges and vocational training schools.
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Post Adoption Specialist: Heartland for Children’s Post Adoption Specialist is available to answer any questions you may have and assist to ensure the continuity of services, Medicaid and adoption subsidy.
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Children adopted at age 16 or 17 may be eligible for an extended subsidy up to age 21 if they are participating in certain qualifying activities, such as ongoing education or employment.
Contact our Post Adoption Specialist at 863-519-8900 x 232.
Adoption
Support Groups
Charlie Health offers free Parent Support Groups for parents, grandparents or guardians of teens, young adults, LGBTQIA+, Parent Support for Families of Color,
El Grupo de Cuidores en Espanol and Neurodivergent youth.
TLC (Tender Loving Caregivers) Association is a supportive community of foster, adoptive, relative/non-relative caregivers, and youth in independent living. They come together for monthly training sessions, support meetings, and special events designed to strengthen and empower families.
🔗 Visit www.tlcfamilies.org to learn more, become a member, and view upcoming meeting schedules.
📣 Join the conversation on Facebook: TLC Association, Inc
Adoption Training
Training Links
Adoption 101 Preliminary Training and Quiz
Adoption 101: Class 1 Presentation / Class 1 Homework / Class 1 Reading
Adoption 101: Class 2 Presentation / Class 2 Homework / Class 2 Reading
Adoption 101: Class 3 Presentation / Class 3 Homework / Class 3 Reading
Adoption 101: Class 4 Presentation / Class 4 Homework / Class 4 Reading
Adoption 101: Class 5 Presentation / Class 5 Homework / Class 5 Reading
Adoption 101: Class 6 Presentation / Class 6 Homework / Class 6 Reading
Adoption 101: Class 7 Presentation / Class 7 Homework / Class 7 Reading
Psychotropic Medication Training Link
Helpful Links for
Adoptive Parents
Community Resources
Find Help
Looking for resources or programs near you? Visit heartland.findhelp.com for a searchable database–simply enter your zip code to find programs and services near YOU!
Hope Florida connects people to local resources through a caring Hope Navigator who helps create a personalized path toward stability and independence. Support is available for single parents, youth aging out of foster care, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and more.
Early Learning Coalition of Florida's Heartland
The Early Learning Coalition (ELC) helps ensure young children in Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties have access to high-quality early education programs. These programs offer caring teachers, creative experiences, and supportive environments that help children get ready for school success.
Early Learning Coalition of Polk County
The Early Learning Coalition of Polk County provides leadership, direction, and integrated resource management for quality services that support our vision of success for children. Their vision is that all children enter school healthy, ready and eager for lifelong learning with the collaborative support of parents, families, educators, and the community.
Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI)
QPI, the Quality Parenting Initiative, is a national movement for foster care change, made up of a network of states, counties and private agencies committed to ensuring that all children in care have excellent parenting and lasting relationships so they can thrive and grow.
As a statewide organization, Selfless Love Foundation forms partnerships across Florida to bring together resources, expertise, and vision. Together we identify issues, find answers, and drive change.
Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI® is connection.
Connect with Amberlee Rogers, Worthy & Known Family Project Program Director
Email: amberlee@worthyandknownfp.org | Phone: 863-443-0448
United Way's Children's Resource Center
This community-based learning and resource center provides classes, playgroups, workshops, developmental checkups, community activities, and support for parents and caregivers of children aged 0-6, as well as for expectant moms and dads. They strive to make childhood a happy, healthy, and wholesome experience for every child and parent in Polk County.
This vital service connects millions of people to help every year. To get expert, caring help, simply call 211 or visit 211.org
Check out our Resource Page with a comprehensive list of the providers we work with to serve children and families.