When a child enters the foster care system, birth parents often feel like they have lost control. But in Florida, birth parents still have the right to make one of the most meaningful choices available—pursuing a permanent plan for their child through adoption.
This legal path is called a DCF Intervention, and it gives parents the opportunity to act with intention, even in the middle of a dependency case.
What Is a DCF Intervention?
A DCF Intervention allows a birth parent to sign a legal consent to adoption during an active child welfare case. After the consent is signed, the adoption attorney or agency can petition the court to move the child into a vetted adoptive home—outside of the foster care system.
The court will hold a hearing to determine if the move is in the child’s best interests. In other words, your voice still matters, but timing is everything.
Why Consider an Intervention?
– You keep a say in the outcome.
Whether you choose a grandparent, foster parent, friend, or a loving adoptive couple, you decide who raises your child.
Whether you choose a grandparent, foster parent, friend, or a loving adoptive couple, you decide who raises your child.
– You stay in control of the process.
Rather than waiting for DCF or the courts to act, you can take a proactive step for your child’s future.
Rather than waiting for DCF or the courts to act, you can take a proactive step for your child’s future.
– You help your child find stability sooner.
Adoption through intervention can get children out of temporary placements and into permanent homes faster.
Adoption through intervention can get children out of temporary placements and into permanent homes faster.
– You may be able to preserve connection.
Depending on the family you choose, you might receive updates, maintain contact, or simply know your child is safe and loved.
Depending on the family you choose, you might receive updates, maintain contact, or simply know your child is safe and loved.
How Does It Work?
The adoptive family must complete a preliminary home study, which is reviewed by the court. After the birth parent signs a legal consent, the adoption entity files a motion to intervene.
At the hearing, the judge weighs several factors, including the child’s current placement, length of time in that home, and the proposed family’s ability to provide permanence. If the child has been in their current home for 9 continuous months or 15 of the past 24 months, that placement is presumed to be stable—but that presumption can be challenged.
Why Work With Tate Healey Webster?
This isn’t new for us—it’s what we do.
Our firm has handled hundreds of interventions, and Board-Certified Adoption Attorney Robert L. Webster is widely recognized as one of Florida’s leading litigators in this area. He’s in court regularly, representing adoptive families, adoption agencies, and professionals in contested intervention cases.
You Still Have Rights. We’re Here to Help.
If you’re a birth parent thinking about adoption—or someone supporting one—we’re here to answer your questions. Reach out to speak with an attorney who understands the process and will guide you every step of the way.
