Adoption is the legal act of permanently placing a child with a parent (or parents) other than the birth parents. Adoption results in the severing of the parental responsibilities and rights of the biological parents and the placing of those responsibilities and rights onto the adoptive parents. After the finalization of an adoption, there is generally no legal difference between biological and adopted children in most jurisdictions. - Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoption Amy Sample Ward

Foster care is a system by which adults care for minor children who are not able to live with their parents. In the United States, many states have provisions for voluntary or involuntary foster care. Voluntary foster care may be in circumstances where a parent is unable or unwilling to care for a child. For instance, a child may have behavioral problems requiring specialized treatment or the parent might have a problem which results in a temporary or permanent inability to care for the child(ren). Involuntary foster care may be implemented when a child is removed from the normal caregiver for his/her own safety.  - Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_care Amy Sample Ward