Post-Legal Adoption Services For Children with Special Needs and Their Families : Challenges and Lessons Learned

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This synthesis was made possible by the Children's Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The conclusions discussed here are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views or policies of the funding agency. Publication does not in any way constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Suggested citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2005). Post-Legal Adoption Services for Children with Special Needs and Their Families: Challenges and Lessons Learned. Washington, DC: Child Welfare Information Gateway.

While most adoptions have positive outcomes for the children and their families, many adoptive families need supportive services at some time during the life of the adoption. The typical crisis and transition periods (such as adolescence) that all families face can be especially difficult for adoptive families, because they also must address specific adoption-related issues. Families who adopt children with special needs from the foster care system face additional challenges, often including the children's past experiences of abuse or neglect. While the vast majority of adoptions of children with special needs succeed, research indicates that 10 to 20 percent disrupt before the adoption is finalized¹, and approximately 3 to 6 percent dissolve after the adoption has been finalized. Children whose adoptions disrupt or dissolve re-enter the foster care system, adding to their already traumatic experiences of separation and loss. To avoid disruption or dissolution, many families need access throughout the life of the adoption to adoption-competent services, supports, and resources designed to promote the family's well-being.

In recognition of this need, and with the goal of expanding and enhancing services to adoptive families of children with special needs, the Children's Bureau has on several occasions established post-legal adoption services as a priority in its annual adoption discretionary grant announcements. Under that priority area in 1998, the Children's Bureau awarded 15 3-year grants to increase permanency and well-being for children with special needs by preventing adoption disruption, dissolution, or out-of-home placement.

With the goal of sharing the knowledge gained, this paper synthesizes the final reports of those 15 projects. Further information about each project, including contact information, can be found in Appendix A. For copies of the full final reports, contact Child Welfare Information Gateway at 800.394.3366 or info@childwelfare.gov.

Table of Contents

1. Overview of Services and Outcomes
2. Common Challenges/Promising Strategies
3. Lessons Learned
4. Conclusion
5. Appendix A: Project Information
6. Appendix B: Services Provided, by Grantee

¹ Freundlich, M., & Wright, L. (2003). Post-permanency services. Seattle: Casey Family Programs. Back

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