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Adopting Older Children
The average age of a child waiting for a permanent family in the U.S. foster care system is approximately 8 years of age. This average is going up each year, according to the Federal Government's Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). The government provides incentives to States for the placement of older children from the foster care system. Many State child welfare agencies have specific services to help preteen and teenage youth find permanent families. There are also many older children waiting for families through intercountry adoption. This section includes information about adopting older children waiting for families in the U.S. foster care system and throughout the world.
| Obtaining Background Information on Your Prospective Adopted Child | |
| Series Title: | Factsheets for Families |
| Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability: | View Download (PDF - 248KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
| Year Published: | 2003 - 6 pages |
| This fact sheet explains why it is important to obtain background information about a prospective child. It discusses where a family might find background information, what questions to ask about the child's medical, family, social, and placement history, and why information may not be available. It includes a list of resources for more information. | |
Meet the Children
AdoptUsKids
Developed a searchable database where prospective parents can search for children by gender, age, race, sibling group, and geographic location. This national federally funded photolisting service features children in foster care waiting for permanent families.
Adolescent Identity and the Impact on Adoptive Parents (PDF - 149 KB)
National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning (2003)
Provides tips for parents of teens struggling with adoption issues.
Adopting an Older Child (PDF - 21 KB)
Attachment Coalition
Offers tips for prospective adoptive parents from the perspective of an adoptive mother.
Adopting Older Children
Singer
Provides an overview of the issues involved in adopting an older child.
Adoption of Adolescents (PDF - 44 KB)
National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning (2002)
Discusses the challenges of adopting adolescents and the difficulty in finding permanency for this population.
Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 (PDF - 33 KB)
Provides the official text of this law, which expanded adoption incentive awards for State child welfare agencies to support adoptions of children from foster care who are age 9 years and older.
Older Child Adoption
Adoptive Families Magazine
Includes resources designed to help adoptive parents navigate the process of adopting and parenting a child of toddler age or older.
Older Child Adoption: Toddler Adoption
Adopting.org
Provides information on resources and experiences of triad members involved with adoption of children who are toddlers or older.