Special Needs

Special Needs Adoption

Lutheran Social Services has been working in partnership with the State of Wisconsin Division of Children and Family Services Adoption Program since August 2000.  Since the inception of this program, LSS' experienced staff has partnered with the State of Wisconsin to find forever families for over 800 children annually.  This program actively recruits loving adoptive homes for children currently waiting in the State's foster care system.

Many of the children with the State of Wisconsin foster care system are older children, siblings groups, minority children and children with physical, emotional or behavioral special care needs.  There are numerous children available and there is no fee for families who adopt a child waiting in foster care through the State of Wisconsin Special Needs program.  You may visit the State of Wisconsin website at http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ to learn more about children waiting for placement in their forever family.

Information from this website will also provide each family with knowledge and information regarding processes, adoption assistance, resources and other adoption related materials that will be essential as you begin your adoption journey.

Also, when you adopt a child with special needs through the Wisconsin Special Needs Adoption Program, families are required to attend 16-hours of training.  These training sessions are offered throughout the state at various times and locations.  Please contact the LSS office closest to you to learn more or to register. 

Learn more by downloading a PDF of the Special Needs Adoption Fact Sheet. 

International Special Needs

• International and domestic special needs adoptions are two very different programs.  International Special needs children may:  
• Require surgeries
• Have major developmental delays
• Have minor and/or major handicap (e.g.  blind, deaf, mute, and/or other medical conditions)
• Be older children - 6 years old and above, and
• Be sibling groups of 3 or more children.