Resources

• Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption?
  In order for an adoption to take place, a person available to be adopted must be placed in the home of a person or persons eligible to adopt. All States have laws that specify which persons are eligible as adopting parents and which persons can be adopted. In addition, all States have laws that designate which persons or entities have the authority to make adoptive placements. This document from the Child Welfare Information Gateway summarizes State adoption statutes. (2009)

• How Many Children Were Adopted in 2000 and 2001?
  This report presents the results of the first national study in more than a decade to attempt to estimate the total number of children adopted in each of the States for 2000 and 2001, as well as the composition and trends of all U.S. adoptions. A brief history of adoption data collection, a description of the strengths and limitations of potential adoption data sources, and a review of how the information was collected also are included. (2004)

• Age of Children at Adoption and Time from Termination of Parental Rights to Adoption
  This research brief from American University discusses the history of adoption in the United States and provides administrative data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System from 1996 to 2003 on the age of children when they are adopted and the time between the termination of parental rights to adoption. (2006)

• Foster Care Adoption in the United States: A State-by-State Analysis of Barriers & Promising Approaches
  This Urban Institute analysis is the first to identify common barriers to finding adoptive families for children in foster care, as well as promising practices to overcome them. More than 90% of states report difficulty identifying adoptive families for children in foster care, especially families for older children, those with special needs, and Hispanic and African-American children. 88% of states are working to improve their child welfare case management systems, including reorganizing staff, creating specialized adoption divisions and positions, and providing additional training on adoption. (2004)

• Foster Care Adoption in the United States: An Analysis of Interest in Adoption and a Review of State Recruitment Strategies
  This report from the Urban Institute provides a national look at the state of adoption recruitment by describing: levels of interest in adoption, who takes steps toward adopting, and how interest might be channeled toward foster care adoption. (2005)

• What's Working for Children: A Policy Study of Adoption Stability and Termination
  This report from the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute offers generally good news for the growing number of children being adopted from foster care nationwide - and for the families in which these boys and girls are finding permanent homes. The Institute's study finds that the vast majority of adoptions from foster care are remaining intact over time, notwithstanding concerns by many professionals that the failure rate of such adoptions would rise as a result of huge increases in their numbers during the last decade. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of state data-collection systems on adoption terminations and offers recommendations to improve policies and practices. (2004)

• Growth in the Adoption Population
  This paper explores the possible impact of federal policy changes on the future size of the adoption population--that is, children adopted from foster care. It presents results from a simulation model that uses data from Chapin Hall's Multistate Foster Care Data Archive to project the size of the adoption population and the number of children in foster care for the next 20 years. It finds that, most likely between 2004 and 2006, the number of children receiving adoption assistance will grow such that it exceeds the number of children in foster care. Further, the adoption population will continue to be larger than the foster care population well into the future, unless there are unusually dramatic changes in the number of foster care admissions. As a consequence, federal and state adoption assistance payments will approach total outlays for foster care board and maintenance within the next 10 to 15 years, depending on admissions to foster care over that period. (March 2002)

• Adoption Dynamics: The Impact of the Adoption and Safe Families Act
  This paper explores the possible impact of recent federal policy changes on the future size of the adoption population — that is, children adopted from foster care. Results are presented from a simulation model that uses data from Chapin Hall's Multistate Foster Care Data Archive to project the size of the adoption population and the number of children in foster care for the next 20 years. In particular, the sensitivity of the projected size of the adoption population to changes in adoption rates and the number of children entering foster care in the future is examined. The analysis shows that in the next few years, most likely between 2004 and 2006, the number of children receiving adoption assistance will exceed the number of children in foster care. Further, the adoption population will continue to be larger than the foster care population well into the future, unless there are unusually dramatic changes in the number of foster care admissions. (August 2002)

• Adoption Dynamics: Comparative Results for Subpopulations
  Using data from the Multistate Foster Care Data Archive, this study examines whether, as the pace of adoptions accelerated during the 1990s, certain demographic subpopulations experienced more change than others. The interest in subgroups reflects a desire to better understand differences that define the experiences of children within the foster care system. The analysis finds that (1) all subgroups reflected an increased likelihood of adoption per unit time; (2) children from urban areas, African-American children, and children living in kinship homes experienced the greatest increases in the likelihood of adoption; and (3) African-American children from urban areas living in kinship homes showed the most significant change of all, although these children continue to move more slowly to adoption than other children. (November 2002)

• Ending the Foster Care Life Sentence: The Critical Need for Adoption Subsidies
  This report from Children's Rights summarizes the findings of a survey they conducted in collaboration with the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) and the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) of 242 adoptive and prospective adoptive parents in 6 states. The survey indicates that adoption subsidies play a critical role in ensuring that abused and neglected children are adopted from foster care. (2006)

• The Value of Adoption
  This study from American University finds that the human services cost of adoption is about half the cost of long-term foster care for children whose birth parents' rights have been terminated. Because adoption is an effective intervention for improving a variety of outcomes for those exposed to adverse childhood experiences, the total savings to government in areas such as special education and criminal justice is of the same magnitude as the child welfare savings. The private benefit to adopted children in terms of additional income earned over their working lives is similarly large. In all, a dollar spent on the adoption of a child from foster care yields about three dollars in benefits. (2006)

• Educational Videos from the Dave Thomas Foundation
  The following free DVDs can be ordered online:
  • A Place to Call Home: Features four stories about families formed through foster care adoption – perfect for sharing with potential adoptive parents.
  • Finding Forever Families: In the United States and Canada, thousands of children are legally freed for adoption. These children are often considered unadoptable because of their age, race, physical or emotional handicap or desire to be placed with siblings. This video dispels the myth that any child is unadoptable and provides best practices on how to recruit families for children based on the child’s desires or needs.
  • Say Yes: Watch six children’s lives change in 2½ minutes. A powerful first-person account of foster care adoption.
    
    
• Wherever My Family Is: That’s Home! Adoption Services for Military Families
  Adoptions by military families may involve interjurisdictional placement procedures. Guidance can be found in the AdoptUsKids publication, Wherever My Family Is: That’s Home! Adoption Services for Military Families. Part III of this comprehensive guidebook addresses interstate placement considerations, including coordinating services through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) and Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA).

• Transracial Adoption: It Will Change Your Family Forever
  This paper explores the adoption of children of color by white adults and strategies adoptive families can use to undergo transracialization, a change people can undergo when they take part in close, long-term relationships with people of other races. Transracialization emerges when people develop a “deep and sophisticated understanding of race and racism.” Adoptive parents can begin this process before they bring a child of another race home by immersing themselves in their child’s culture.

• A Step-By-Step Guide to Post-Adoption
  This Guide by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (sponsored by the Jockey Being Family) defines the types of resources available for parents after the adoption is finalized, how to select and locate providers, and what to do if no resources are available in their community. It also includes recommendations of other national non-profit organizations that can help. (2009)

• Frequently Asked Questions about Medicaid and Adoption Assistance
  This section of The Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance offers answers to FAQs on: Medicaid and title IV-E Adoption Assistance; Medicaid and state-funded Adoption Assistance; Medicaid General Information; Adoption Assistance Basic Information. (April 2011)

• Achieving Permanency for Children: Timely Adoption Practices in Child Welfare Services
  This literature review by the Northern California Training Academy provides an understanding of the factors and practices in the field of Child Welfare Services (CWS) that impact timely adoption placements. (2009)

• Adoption and Foster Care Guidelines
  This webpage from AdoptUsKids provides step-by-step guidance to those interested in learning more about becoming an adoptive or foster parent. The website includes specific information about foster parenting and adoption for each State and territory. There is also basic adoption and foster parenting information on the site. (2010)

• NRC for Adoption Newsletter on Timeliness to Adoption
  The National Resource Center for Adoption at Spaulding for Children (a service of the Children’s Bureau) publishes The Roundtable newsletter. This issue focuses on “Timeliness to Adoption” and includes articles on programs and practices in Michigan, Oklahoma, Utah, and California, as well as information on management of adoption outcomes using data-tracking tools. (2011)

• Adoption USA: A Chartbook Based on the 2007 National Survey of Adoptive Parents 
  This resource presents findings from the first nationally representative survey of adoptive parents in the United States. About 2% of U.S. children joined their families through adoption. The Chartbook describes the characteristics, adoption experiences, and well-being of these children and their families, making comparisons between adopted children and the general population of children in the United States and among children adopted through different adoption types. The Chartbook contains information on types of adoption, adoption by relatives, contact with birth families, physical health and social and emotional well-being of adopted children, and parenting. It is based on the National Survey of Adoptive Parents, a collaborative effort of several agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Researchers from Child Trends conducted the analyses under contract to HHS. (2009)

• Working with African American Adoptive, Foster and Kinship Families
  This guide was developed by AdoptUsKids to assist public and private child welfare staff in their work with prospective and current African American foster, adoptive and kinship families. It is important to remember that there is no “one size fits all” description of African American families. Rather, African American families, like all families, are diverse with various beliefs, values, and socioeconomic experiences. The guide includes the following sections: A historical perspective; strengths of African Americans; Tips to Remember; Additional Information (with resources).
  
  
  
• Understanding Adoption: A Guide to Prospective Parents
  This helpful guide and resource will assist anyone thinking about adopting a child with learning about the ideas behind adoption and the details of the adoption process. The guide also helps prospective parents understand the implications of adopting a child who may have special needs and provides answers to common questions about adoption. (1987, 2001)

• Successful Adolescent Adoptions
  Through the Successful Adolescent Adoption Study, funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services, The Center for Child & Family Studies interviewed both parents who adopted adolescents and the adoptees. The final report delineates factors that contribute to successful adoptions and recommendations for services to parents and adolescents before, during, and after the adoption process. (2004)
  
  Additionally, they developed a pamphlet for adolescents considering adoption, in which adoptees discuss their concerns about their decision to be adopted, their experiences with their adoptive and biological families, and their quality of life since their adoption. They also developed a pamphlet in which parents answer questions about their decision to adopt, their experiences with discipline, and their frustrations and successes. The report and both brochures are available online. The brochures are available in English and Spanish.
  
  
• Successful Older Child Adoption: Lessons from the Field
  This article from the Summer 2010 issue of “Adoptalk” published by the Northern American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) discusses proven strategies to increase adoptions of older youth. The article, authored by Mary Boo, describes the results of conversations with leaders in states that had particular success in increasing adoptions of older children and teens. It lists key strategies that resulted in significantly increased adoptions for the states and provides specific examples for each strategy, highlighting successful experiences of individual states. (2010)
  
  
• “Special Needs” Adoption: What does it Mean?
  This Factsheet for Families from Child Welfare Information Gateway presents some common questions about adopting a child or youth with special needs and provides resources that will give you detailed answers. It covers definitions and topics such as eligibility, making the decision, getting started, financial and health-care assistance, and post-adoption services. (2010)
  
  

Resources From the States

• Handbooks for Adoptive Parents
  Many states have handbooks and webpages that assist prospective adoptive parents in negotiating the adoption process. Here are some public agency webpages and handbooks that are available online.

• Iowa: Foster & Adoptive Parents Association
  The Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (IFAPA) empowers, supports and advocates for foster, adoptive and kinship families in Iowa. IFAPA provides training, peer support and resources to promote safety, permanency and well-being for Iowa’s children.

• Massachusetts: Social Worker Information from MARE
  Information and resources, including "The Social Worker's Guide to MARE Programs and Services," from the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, Inc.

• Tennessee: Adoption Best Practice Manual
  Adoption Best Practice Manual provides information on services to birth/legal parents and children, adoptive placement services, services to resource parents, finalizing the adoption and post adoption services. (2008)

PowerPoint Presentations

• Presentation from Adoption Connections Training Institute: OneWorld Neighborhood
  Third Annual International Conference on Post-Adoption Services, held in Cambridge, Massachusetts February 19-21, 2007. Foster Adoption and Infant Adoption: Changes in Practice, by Gerald P. Mallon, Executive Director, NRCPFC.

NRCPFC Information Packets

• Birthright: An Adoptee's Right to Know
  by Jami Shapiro (May 2004)

• Adolescent Identity & the Impact on Adoptive Parents
  by Percio Bernal (May 2003)

• The Adoption of Chinese Girls by American Families
  by Allison Hurwitz (May 2003)

• Adoption of Adolescents
  by Jenifer Maple (May 2002)

Websites

• AdoptUSKids
  AdoptUSKids is a project of The Children's Bureau, part of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. AdoptUSKids.org is a national photo listing service for children awaiting adoption across the United States. You may "Meet the Children" by searching their photolisting and find out more about special needs adoption on their website.

• The Adoption History Project Web Site
  The Adoption History Project is a digital public history resource, profiling people, organizations, topics, and studies that shaped modern American adoption in theory and practice. Hundreds of images and primary documents illustrate such topics as the orphan trains, infertility, sealed records, eugenics, baby farming, telling, and transracial, international, and special needs adoptions.

• Child Welfare Information Gateway
  This section of the Gateway website contains resources on all aspects of domestic and intercountry adoption, including adoption from foster care. Includes information for prospective and adoptive parents; information about searching for birth relatives; and resources for professionals on recruiting adoptive families, preparing children and youth, supporting birth parents, and providing postadoption services.

• Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
  This foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the children in North America's foster care systems ready and waiting to be adopted. The Foundation spearheads programs such as Wendy's Wonderful Kids, which puts adoption recruiters in all 50 states and Canada to find permanent, loving families for children in the foster care system, and Adoption-Friendly Workplace, which encourages employers to offer adoption benefits to their employees. The Foundation also works with adoption advocates and officials to streamline the adoption process and make adoption more affordable for families.

• Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
  The insitutute conducts and synthesizes research, offers education, promotes ethical practices, and works to translate policy into action.

• National Council for Adoption
  NCFA is a research, education, and advocacy organization whose mission is to promote the well-being of children, birthparents, and adoptive families by advocating for the positive option of adoption.

• North American Council on Adoptable Children
  NACAC provides education, adoption support, parent leadership capacity building, and advocacy.

• National Military Family Association
  Information on resources available to military families can be found on the website of the National Military Family Association, including details on military adoption leave and adoption reimbursement.

• Pact: An Adoption Alliance
  Pact is a non-profit organization with a primary mission to serve children of color in need of adoption or who are growing up in adoptive families. Pact offers information for adopted people, as well as adoptive, birth, and foster parents. Pact offers many resources on adoption and race, including articles on transracial adoption.

• The Center for Child & Family Studies, University of South Carolina
  A variety of Adoption and Foster Care Publications are available on this website.
  

• Intercountry Adoption
  The Office of Children’s Issues launched this website to allow you to access important intercountry adoption information and updates more easily. It includes sections dedicated to describing the overall process as well as specific information on the Hague Convention process, country specific information, Immigrant Visas, and information geared towards the adoption community.