Aberdeen Adoption & Foster Care Resources

If you are a family hoping to grow through adoption or a pregnant woman considering adoption for your baby, you will need a variety of services and support throughout the adoption process. Here, you will find local resources and adoption information for the Aberdeen area.
Visit our How to Adopt in South Dakota page for additional resources and information about adoption in your state.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Aberdeen

Whether you are considering adopting or placing a baby for adoption in Aberdeen, the professional you choose to work with can provide the guidance, services and support you need through the adoption process.
Some adoptive and birth parents are most comfortable working with a local or regional adoption agency. The following Aberdeen adoption professionals can help you complete your adoption:

• Catholic Family Services
• Lutheran Social Services
• Siegel, Barnett, & Schutz
• Richardson, Wyly, Wise, Sauk & Hieb, LLP

Aberdeen Foster Care Resources

Parents looking to adopt an older child or provide temporary homes for children can pursue foster care in their home town. In order to be a foster parent in Aberdeen, you must meet the following South Dakota requirements:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Provide a safe and stable home for a child
• Attend 30 hours of training
• Participate in in-home consultations
• Pass a home study

To learn more about foster care and available children, or to begin the process of becoming licensed, contact one of your local foster care professionals:

• South Dakota Department of Social Services
• Children’s Home Society of South Dakota

Home Study Providers

If you want to adopt a child in Aberdeen, you must first find a state-licensed social worker to conduct a home study for you. When you find a home study provider, they will help you through the process of completing a background check, home inspection, and interview to make sure your home is ready for a child.
To get your home study started, contact one of the following South Dakota home study professionals:

• DeVonne Powell, CSW-PIP
  605-360-5735
  DeVonne Powell has been working as a home study provider since 2008 and has experience teaching parenting classes.
• Keri Meyer, CSW-PIP
  605-376-4834
  Keri Meyer has worked in therapy and home study evaluations, and she is licensed to complete South Dakota home studies.
• Mary Gustafson, CSW-PIP
  605-360-5738
  With her experience at Child Protection Services and Children’s Home Society, she has worked for families in several capacities and has been in social work since 2002.
• Brenda Risty, CSW-PIP
  605-940-0902
  Along with home studies for adoption and foster care, Brenda Risty also has experience in providing therapy.

Visit 1800HomeStudy.com to learn more about South Dakota home study providers.

Hospitals near Aberdeen

If you are an expectant mother pursuing adoption, you will need to consider your hospital plan as your due date approaches. As a prospective birth mother, you can work with your adoption specialist and healthcare provider to determine the type of labor and delivery experience you want to have.
When you are ready to begin creating your hospital plan, here are some Aberdeen area hospitals that may be able to assist you:

• Avera St. Luke’s Hospital
  305 South State Street
  Aberdeen, SD 57401
  605-622-5000
• Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center
  3015 3rd Avenue SE
  Aberdeen, SD 57401
  605-725-1700

South Dakota Adoption Laws and Requirements

If you are pursuing adoption, you should become aware of the laws that regulate the adoption process and protect the rights of everyone involved. To learn more about the details of adoption regulations and requirements, visit our page on How to Adopt in South Dakota. For an overview on adoption laws pertaining to birth parents and adoptive families, read the sections below.
Birth Parents:
In order for a child to be legally adopted, the rights of both birth parents must be terminated. South Dakota consent laws require 5 days to pass following the birth before a mother can legally terminate her parental rights. This waiting time protects you from making a legal decision while in a compromised state.
The father of the child may consent to the adoption before the adoption takes place. If he cannot be located or you cannot obtain his consent for another reason, speak to your adoption professional about your options.
Adoptive Families:
In South Dakota, the basic requirements for adoption eligibility determine who is allowed to adopt a child in the state. Additionally, your adoption professional may have its own set of requirements that you must meet in order to work with them. Other criteria for eligibility can include age, marital status, or religious affiliation. If you have any concerns about your adoption eligibility, speak to your professional.

County Court Information

All adoptions must be finalized in court before they are legally recognized. This usually takes place about six months after you take your baby home, and your adoption professional will give you more information closer to the date of your finalization. In the meantime, you can visit the Brown County Court for more information on court proceedings in your area.

Things to Do in Aberdeen

If you adopt a child in Aberdeen from another state, you will have to remain in the state of South Dakota for 7-10 business days to wait for legal clearance. In the meantime, you can find some of the following things to do in Aberdeen:

• Storybook Land
• Aberdeen Aquatic Center
• Dacotah Prairie Museum