Resources on all aspects of domestic and intercountry adoption, with a focus on adoption from the U.S. foster care system. Includes information for adoption professionals, adopted adults, expectant parents considering adoption, birth parents and relatives, and prospective and adoptive parents on a broad range of adoption topics. Find information on assessing, developing, and evaluating adoption programs and services, recruiting adoptive families, preparing children and youth, supporting birth parents, obtaining and providing postadoption services, the impact of adoption, the adoption process, search and reunion, and more. Also access the National Adoption Month website.
Introduction to adoption
Provides information on the history of adoption in the United States, definitions and the use of language in adoption, and core issues in adoption, as well as links to related resources and information.
Ethical issues in adoption
Features resources to help guide the professional's ethical practice in all phases of adoption. Addresses general adoption ethics and ethics related to preplacement, postadoption, and different types of adoptions
For adopted people
Links to information on connecting with other adopted people, the lifelong impact of adoption, late discovery, educational assistance, and perspectives of adults who were adopted transracially.
For adoption program managers & administrators
Addresses assessing, planning, funding, and evaluating adoption programs, training, and developing culturally competent adoption services.
For expectant parents considering adoption and birth parents
Provides information for expectant parents, birth parents and relatives on adoption planning, finding an adoption agency or lawyer, adoption laws, maintaining connections with children who are adopted, and the emotional impact of adoption.
How to adopt
Provides resources for prospective adoptive parents including preparing for adoption, the home study process, adoption choices, characteristics of children waiting for families, financial assistance, contacts with birth parents, and legal considerations.
Laws related to adoption
Discusses major Federal legislation that has influenced adoption practice, compliance with Federal laws related to domestic and intercountry adoption, State adoption laws, and resources to help in implementing State adoption law.
Parenting after adoption
Includes resources for adoptive families that explain what to expect at various developmental stages, and sections addressing how to talk about adoption, manage adoption issues in school, help children with grief and loss, find needed services, obtain financial assistance, and manage disruption and dissolution.
Preplacement adoption casework practice
Presents strategies to prepare children, youth, and families for an adoptive placement.
Postplacement adoption casework practice
Provides resources that assist adoption professionals in identifying, providing, and evaluating quality postplacement services.
Search & reunion
Addresses searching for birth relatives, obtaining birth and adoption records, understanding the impact of adoption, and finding support groups.