My Child Welfare Librarian

Child Welfare Information Gateway

Child Welfare Information Gateway Library Search

My Child Welfare Librarian

Adoption - Results (11 Publications)

Title: Interventions for Foster Carers and Adoptive Parents of Children Who Have Experienced Abuse and Trauma. (Chapter 6 in Mental Health Interventions and Services for Vulnerable Children and Young People.)
Author(s): Allen, Jeanette
Published: 2008
Available from: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
http://www.jkp.com
400 Market St.
Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Abstract: This chapter discusses the impact of abuse and trauma on the developing child, needs of carers of children with a history of abuse and neglect, and effective interventions to support carers. Strategies for adapting parenting interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents are offered, along with the curriculum for a seven-session group intervention program for carers. Case vignettes are included. 38 references.

Title: The Mental Health of US Adolescents Adopted in Infancy.
Author(s): Keyes, Margaret A.;Sharma, Anu.;Elkins, Irene J.;Iacono, William G.;McGue, Matt.
Published: 2008
Journal Name: Archives of pediatrics and adolescent medicine
v. 162, 5, May 2008, p. 419-425
Available from: American Medical Association
http://www.ama-assn.org/
515 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Document available online at: http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/162/5/419
Printable version (PDF): http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/162/5/419
Abstract: Objective: To determine whether adopted adolescents are at excess risk for clinically relevant behavioral and emotional problems. Design: We examined whether adopted and nonadopted adolescents differed on quantitative indicators of mental health and the prevalence of childhood disorders and whether differences exist between internationally and domestically placed adoptees. Setting: Assessments occurred at the University of Minnesota from December 11, 1998, to June 4, 2004. Participants: Adolescents adopted in infancy were systematically ascertained from records of 3 large Minnesota adoption agencies; nonadopted adolescents were ascertained from Minnesota birth records. The final sample included these adolescents with their rearing parents. Main Exposure: The main exposure was adoptive status: nonadopted (n = 540), international adoptive placement (n = 514), or domestic adoptive placement (n = 178). Outcome Measures: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) clinical assessments based on child and parent reports of attention-deficit/hyperactivity, oppositional defiant, conduct, major depressive, and separation anxiety disorders; teacher reports of psychological health; and contact with mental health professionals. Results: Adoptees scored only moderately higher than nonadoptees on quantitative measures of mental health. Nevertheless, being adopted approximately doubled the odds of having contact with a mental health professional (odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-2.84) and of having a disruptive behavior disorder (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.72-3.19). Relative to international adoptees, domestic adoptees had higher odds of having an externalizing disorder (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.67-4.04). Conclusions: Moderate mean differences in quantitative indicators of mental health can lead to substantial differences in disorder prevalence. Although most adopted adolescents are psychologically healthy, they may be at elevated risk for some externalizing disorders, especially among those domestically placed. (Author abstract)

Title: Behavioral Outcomes for Substance-Exposed Adopted Children: Fourteen Years Postadoption.
Author(s): Crea, Thomas M.;Barth, Richard P.;Guo, Shenyang.;Brooks, Devon.
Published: 2008
Journal Name: American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
v. 78, 1, p. 11-19
Available from: American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org
750 1st St., NE
Washington, DC 20002
Abstract: From a life course perspective, studies of cumulative disadvantage often identify early risk factors as predictors of poor outcomes. This study examined the influence of prenatal substance exposure on children's externalizing behaviors at 14 years postadoption. Using Wave 4 data from the California Long-Range Adoption Study, the authors employed growth curve modeling to examine behavioral trajectories of 275 children as influenced by foster care status, age at adoption, and gender. Outcomes are measured using a shortened Behavioral Problem Index. Prenatal exposure predicted elevated behavior problems that increased normatively compared with nonexposed children, and were not found to trigger the negative behavior sequelae once feared. Foster children tended to fare better over the life course than those adopted through other means, except for children adopted at older ages. Adopted children's problem behaviors may be directly associated with the success of their placements. The authors discuss implications for practice and future research. (Author abstract)

Title: Trade-offs in Formulating a Consistent National Policy on Adoption.
Author(s): Hansen, Mary Eschelbach.;Pollack, Daniel.
Published: 2008
Journal Name: Family Court Review
v. 46, 2, April 2008, p. 366-374
Available from: Blackwell Publishing
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
Abstract: Just as the courts must consider the trade-off between the best interest of the child and parental rights in involuntary termination of parental rights, policy on international adoption must consider the trade-offs between the best interest of the child and the long-term interests of the nation. We argue that countries that suspend international adoptions do not maximize social welfare. A consistent national policy to maximize the well-being of the children and society at large would be to devote resources today to the oversight of international adoption in accord with child protections under the Hague Convention, while at the same time developing a domestic system of care that provides for the physical and developmental needs of orphaned children in the context of permanent families. (Author abstract)

Title: 2008 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List: America's Top 100.
Published: 2008
Printable version (PDF): http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/getdoc/c2471bad-c750-4727-9adc-e99e18497eb9/2008_Top100
Abstract: This is a list of the top 100 adoption-friendly workplaces. Maximum financial assistance, maximum weeks paid leave, headquarters location, industry type, and number of employees are included for each company.

Title: 2008 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces: Size Category Top Ten ; and Industry Leaders.
Published: 2008
Printable version (PDF): http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/getdoc/7ff7a558-f9cc-4f04-a967-95d8f68bb570/2008_SizeAndIndustryWinners_BestAFW
Abstract: This is a list of the top ten best adoption-friendly workplaces for 2008 by number of employees and industry type.

Title: Report on Intercountry Adoption 2008.
Author(s): Rearick, Penny L. (Editor)
Published: 2008
Available from: Adoption Resource Center of Connecticut
http://www.arcct.org/
78 Eastern Boulevard
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Document available online at: http://www.arcct.org/included.htm
Printable version (PDF): http://www.arcct.org/iedocrpt/2008Report.pdf
Abstract: Written for prospective adoptive parents, this report provides background information about intercountry adoptions and lists agencies that coordinate placements for children born outside of the United States. Topics include adoption preparation, transracial adoption, immunizations, cultural awareness, adjustment, bonding, medical considerations, and fees. Guidelines for adopting a child from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America also are summarized. The directory includes a description of children available, cost, time, and child and parent eligibility for each agency. The annual report is updated throughout the year.

Title: Impact of Safe and Timely Interstate Placement Act: Results from Questionnaire.
Author(s): Hardin, Mark.;Trowbridge, Scott.;Teague, Charles.
Published: 2008
Available from: National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues
http://www.abanet.org/child/rclji/
ABA Center on Children and the Law
740 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Abstract: In April 2008, the National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues prepared a short questionnaire regarding delays in interstate placement of children, the effect of the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006 (the Act), and suggestions for legal reform for improving safe and timely interstate placements. The questionnaire was sent in mid April 2008 via American Bar Association e-mail lists, to Court Improvement Programs, to ICPC administrators, and to state child welfare agency heads. A total of 32 respondents answered the questions including individuals from 16 Compact Administrator's offices, 6 representatives from other agency offices, 6 judges, 3 children's attorneys and 1 agency attorney. Responses were received from a total of 20 states. The original questions and results are included in this document. (Author abstract modified)

Title: Final Report : 2002-2007 / The Collaboration to AdoptUSKids.
Published: 2007
Available from: Collaboration to AdoptUSKids
http://www.adoptuskids.org
8015 Corporate Drive
Suite C
Baltimore, MD 21236
Abstract: This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of the federally funded AdoptUsKids project from 2002-2007. During the project, the Adoption Exchange Association collaborated with the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, the Adoption Exchange, Holt International Children's Services, the Northwest Adoption Exchange, and the Child Welfare League of America to implement a multi-faceted approach to adoptive parent recruitment and retention. This report begins by describing the national multi-media campaign that was implemented for recruiting new potential foster parents and adoptive parents for children in the U.S. foster care system. Information is provided on the strategy, launch, and results of the media campaign, including the reframing of the issue of adoption from foster care, getting the message out, extending the message within the partner organizations of the collaboration, driving interest in adopting children form foster care, and driving inquiries to AdoptUsKids. The second section reviews the media campaign's fulfillment of its goals. The third section provides information on the effectiveness of the website http://www.adoptuskids.org for caseworkers registering children, families searching for children, and for professionals matching and connecting children with prospective families across the United States. Following sections of the final report discuss the training and technical assistance component of the AdoptUsKids project that provided training to State and tribal child welfare staff relating to improving permanency outcomes and increasing recruitment and retention of resource parents; AdoptUsKids publications; research that was conducted by the project on barriers and success factors in special needs adoptions; and communication strategies that were used by the project to exchange information. The final section includes an evaluation of the project that indicates individuals who utilized AdoptUsKids placed a high value on the services provided by the collaboration.

Title: Barriers and Success Factors in Adoption from Foster Care: Perspectives of Families and Staff.
Author(s): McRoy, Ruth G.
Published: 2007
Available from: Collaboration to AdoptUSKids
http://www.adoptuskids.org
8015 Corporate Drive
Suite C
Baltimore, MD 21236
Printable version (PDF): http://www.adoptuskids.org/images/resourceCenter/BarrierSuccessFactors.pdf
Abstract: This report outlines the findings of two legislatively mandated adoption-research studies conducted as part of The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids. In the first study, a nationwide purposive sample of 300 families seeking to adopt children with special needs from the public child welfare system was selected, interviewed, and surveyed to determine actual and potential barriers to the completion of the adoption process. In addition, a nationwide sample of 382 private- and public-agency adoption staff members were surveyed to assess their opinions regarding barriers to the adoption process. In the second study, a four-year prospective examination of a nationwide sample of 161 families who had adopted children with special needs was conducted in order to determine factors that contributed to successful adoption outcomes. When all represented states are counted in both studies, family and staff participants came from all ten standard federal regions, forty-seven states and the District of Columbia. (Author abstract)

Title: Openness in Adoption. (Chapter 9 in Complete Adoption Book: Everything You Need to Know to Adopt a Child. Third Edition.)
Author(s): Beauvais-Godwin, Laura.;Godwin, Raymond.
Published: 2005
Available from: Adams Media
http://www.adamsmedia.com,
http://www.adamsmediastore.com/
57 Littlefield Street

Avon, MA 02322
Abstract: The advantages and disadvantages of agreeing to an open adoption are reviewed for birth mothers, adoptive parents, and adopted children. Strategies for maintaining openness in adoption arrangements are described, and sample letters to birth mothers are provided. Reasons adoptees search for their birth parents are also discussed and information is provided on conducting searches, contacting a birth relative, searches after international adoption, and legal aspects of searching.

Visit Update Subscription to unsubscribe or change your topical selections.

A Service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

For more information contact: