Rapid City Adoption & Foster Care Resources

As a family hoping to grow through adoption or a pregnant woman considering adoption for your baby, you have access to a variety of services and support throughout the adoption process. Here, you will find local resources and adoption information for Rapid City, South Dakota.

Adoption Agencies and Professionals in Rapid City

Adoption agencies are licensed, full-service adoption professionals, meaning that they are equipped to help you with every stage of your adoption. Whether you are a prospective birth parent or adoptive family, an adoption agency can be a beneficial and convenient resource.
See the links below for information about Rapid City adoption agencies:

• Bethany Christian Services
• Catholic Social Services
• Watson Law Office, P.C.

Rapid City Foster Care Resources

To be a foster parent in Rapid City, couples and individuals must meet the requirements of the state and their chosen agency. If you are interested in becoming a foster family, contact a local foster care organization:

• Children’s Home Society of South Dakota

Home Study Providers

Whether you choose domestic infant adoption or foster care, you will need to complete a home study that meets South Dakota laws and requirements. The South Dakota home study process includes personal interviews, home visits, criminal history checks and more. A complete list of home study requirements and additional information about the process can be found on our Adoption in South Dakota page.
The person or agency conducting the home study must be legally qualified. When you are ready to begin the home study process, here are some trusted providers in South Dakota:

• 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 Rapid City

As expecting mothers approach their due date, they must also begin considering their hospital plan, which includes where they would like to give birth, who they want to be with them, and how much time they would like with their baby. If this describes your situation, you can begin working with your adoption specialist and healthcare provider to ensure that you have a positive labor and delivery experience.
Follow the links below for more information on hospitals and maternity wards near Rapid City:

• Rapid City Regional Hospital
  353 Fairmont Boulevard
  Rapid City, SD 57701
  605-755-1000

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:
As the child’s mother, you must give written consent to the adoption before it will be officially recognized. Each state has unique laws regarding when a birth mother can terminate her parental rights and how it must be done, which you can read about in our South Dakota adoption information.
The father of your child also has rights that must be properly terminated. Like you, he can give his written consent to the adoption. If he cannot be contacted, or you cannot obtain his consent for another reason, speak to your adoption specialist.
Adoptive Families:
In South Dakota, the basic requirements for adoption eligibility outline who is legally allowed to adopt. 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 or visit our South Dakota adoption page.

County Court Information

At the end of the adoption process, every adoption must be legally finalized in court. If you are adopting in Rapid City, South Dakota, find information about finalizing your adoption in your county by visiting the  Pennington County Courthouse.

Things to Do in Rapid City

If you are traveling to Rapid City to adopt, you should expect to remain in the state of South Dakota for 7-10 business days. During that time, here are some things you can do in and around Rapid City:

• Mount Rushmore
• Reptile Gardens
• Black Hills National Forest
• Badlands National Park
• The Journey Museum & Learning Center