Understanding the Difference

If you’re pregnant and considering adoption, it’s normal to have questions like:

“Is adoption the same as foster care?”
“Will the state take my baby?”
“Do I get a say in what happens?”

Let’s clear things up:

Adoption is not the same as foster care.
They are very different — in who’s involved, how decisions are made, and what your rights are.

At Adoption Network Law Center (ANLC), we support birth mothers who are making voluntary, private adoption plans — not state-led placements. Here’s what that means for you.

What Is Foster Care?

Foster care is a government-run child welfare program. It’s used when a child is removed from their home by the state — often due to neglect, abuse, or unsafe living conditions.

In foster care:

• The state decides where the child goes
• The goal may be to reunify with the birth family
• You typically do not choose the foster family
• You may lose legal rights during the process
• The child could be placed in multiple homes

Foster care is not something you choose — it’s something the court system enforces when safety is a concern.

What Is Private Adoption?

Private adoption — like the services offered through ANLC — is a voluntary legal process where you make a plan for your baby’s future before or after birth.

In private adoption:

• You choose the adoptive family
• You decide if you want an open, semi-open, or closed adoption
• You receive emotional and legal support
• You maintain your rights until you legally consent to the adoption
• You are not giving up your baby to the state

It’s your plan. Your choice. Your timeline.

Why the Confusion?

Many people think adoption and foster care are the same because:

• They both involve a child going to another home
• They both involve legal processes
• They’re both handled by “systems” (agencies, courts, etc.)

But they come from two very different places:

• Foster care happens when the state removes a child for safety reasons
• Adoption happens when a birth mother voluntarily creates a plan

Does Choosing Adoption Mean I’m In Trouble?

No.

Voluntarily choosing adoption is not the same as being reported to child protective services. If you reach out to ANLC, your situation remains private, and you’re in control of what happens next.

We work with birth mothers from all backgrounds — including those facing poverty, housing insecurity, or emotional stress. You don’t need to be perfect to make a loving, legal plan for your baby.

Key Adoption Agency Considerations

Adoption is your choice — not something the government forces on you.

With ANLC, you decide if, when, and how you move forward. Our job is to support you, protect your rights, and help you build a plan you can feel good about — now and in the future.