Browse by Title

Summarizes the legislative history and purpose of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), the key Federal legislation addressing child abuse and neglect. CAPTA was originally enacted in P.L. 93-247 and was most recently amended on January 7, 2019, by the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-424).

Discusses laws that provide for access to both nonidentifying and identifying information from an adoption record by adoptive parents and adult adoptees. Generally, the person whose information will be disclosed must consent to the disclosure, and methods of providing consent are discussed. Access to the original birth certificate by the adult adoptee also is addressed.

Describes issues that adoptive children, youth, and families may encounter after adoption and the postadoption services available to help them manage their issues. Topics discussed include postadoption issues that adoptive families often encounter, the changing needs for support at different ages and developmental stages, types of postadoption services, finding postadoption services, paying for postadoption services, and advocating for postadoption services. A list of additional resources is also offered.

Describes the intersection of child welfare and early intervention (EI), provides an overview of the EI process, and outlines the challenges and strategies for implementing EI provisions in Federal law.

Explora temas que son específicamente relevantes para las personas solteras que están considerando la adopción. Incluye información sobre las oportunidades de adopción disponibles, incluida la adopción doméstica, la adopción entre países y la adopción a partir del sistema de cuidado de crianza. También discute la importancia de tener un sistema de apoyo y disipa el mito de que ser persona soltera impide el proceso de adopción.Explores issues that are specifically relevant to single people considering adoption. The factsheet includes information about available adoption opportunities, including domestic adoption, intercountry adoption, and adopting from foster care. It also discusses the importance of having a support system and dispels the myth that being single impedes the adoption process.

Describe asuntos legales, pasos necesarios y ayuda para las personas que desean adoptar al hijo de su cónyuge. Aborda los requisitos para los estudios del hogar, la obtención del consentimiento del padre o madre sin custodia del niño y el proceso para completar la adopción. Esta hoja informativa para familias también describe la adopción del hijo de un cónyuge extranjero y proporciona recursos para los padres.Describes legal issues and help for parents seeking stepparent adoption and discusses the steps involved when a person wishes to adopt the child of their spouse. The bulletin addresses requirements for home studies, obtaining the consent of the child's noncustodial parent, and the process for completing the adoption. This factsheet for families also describes the adoption of a foreign spouse’s child and provides resources for parents.

Proporciona información y orientación para explorar opciones de crianza y adopción y sobre cómo hacer un plan de adopción. Apunta a recursos que pueden ayudar a personas que contemplan la adopción a elegir la mejor opción para ellos y sus hijos. Otras personas que se ven afectadas por las decisiones de adopción, como los familiares, también pueden usar esta hoja informativa para explorar preguntas importantes. Provides information and guidance for exploring parenting and adoption options and about making an adoption plan. It points to resources that may help those contemplating adoption come to a choice that feels best for them and their child. Others who are affected by adoption decisions, such as relatives, also may find this factsheet useful for answering some of their important questions.

Explores issues that are specifically relevant to single people considering adoption. The factsheet includes information about available adoption opportunities, including domestic adoption, intercountry adoption, and adopting from foster care. It also discusses the importance of having a support system and dispels the myth that being single impedes the adoption process.

In every State there are children with special needs waiting in foster care for adoptive families. The most recent data estimate that 126,000 children are available to be adopted from foster care. In the past, the costs of care and services were major obstacles to parents who would otherwise adopt and love these children, and most were not placed for adoption. The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 provided the first Federal subsidies to encourage the adoption of children from the nation's foster care system. These subsidies, known as adoption assistance, serve to minimize the financial obstacles to adoption. In addition, other types of assistance often are available to help with medical care or other services. Adoption assistance serves to remove barriers and contribute to an increase in adoption of children with special needs. This factsheet discusses this assistance by reviewing: Federal Title IV-E adoption assistance, State adoption assistance, and how to arrange adoption assistance.

Discusses common elements of the home study process and addresses questions you may have about this important adoption requirement. A major step in building your family through adoption is the home study. Specific home study requirements and processes vary greatly from agency to agency, State to State, and (in the case of intercountry adoption) by the child's country of origin. They are also subject to change.

Provides information and guidance for exploring parenting and adoption options and about making an adoption plan. It points to resources that may help those contemplating adoption come to a choice that feels best for them and their child. Others who are affected by adoption decisions, such as relatives, also may find this factsheet useful for answering some of their important questions.

Describes the characteristics and benefits of AF-CBT, an evidence-supported intervention that targets (1) diverse individual child and caregiver characteristics related to conflict and intimidation in the home and (2) the family context in which aggression or abuse may occur. It was written primarily to help child welfare caseworkers and other professionals who work with at-risk families make more informed decisions about when to refer children and their parents and caregivers to AF-CBT programs. This information also may help parents, foster parents, and other caregivers understand what they and their children can gain from AF-CBT and what to expect during treatment.

Diseñada para ayudar a trabajadores de casos, padres de crianza u otros adultos que se preocupan por los jóvenes a entender más acerca del trauma y su tratamiento, y apoyar a jóvenes en la toma de decisiones acerca de su salud mental. Esta guía se debe usar como complemento a Tomando decisiones saludables: Una guía sobre medicamentos psicotrópicos para jóvenes en cuidado de crianzaIntended to help caseworkers, foster parents, or other caring adults understand trauma and treatment and support youth in making decisions about their mental health and using Making Healthy Choices: A Guide on Psychotropic Medications for Youth in Foster Care.

Brinda información para ayudar a los padres y las madres de crianza a aprender sobre los jóvenes LGBTQ+ (lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero, cuestionando su identidad y otras identidades y expresiones diversas, incluido Dos espíritus o “Two-Spirit”) en el sistema de bienestar de menores. Examina los riesgos únicos que enfrentan estos jóvenes y el importante papel que pueden desempeñar los padres y las madres de crianza en reducir de esos riesgos. La hoja informativa describe qué pueden hacer los padres y las madres de crianza para crear un hogar acogedor y positivo para todos los jóvenes bajo su cuidado y promover la salud y el bienestar de los jóvenes, en el hogar y en la comunidad. También se incluyen enlaces a recursos para obtener más información y apoyo. Provides information for foster parents to help them learn about LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and other diverse identities and expressions, including Two-Spirit) youth in the child welfare system, the unique risks they face, and the important role that foster parents can play in reducing those risks. The factsheet outlines specific actions that foster parents can take to create a welcoming and affirming home for all youth in their care and to promote a youth's health and well-being, at home and in the community. Also included are links to many resources for more information and support.

Describe cómo la asistencia para la adopción en forma de subsidios puede ayudar a que la adopción sea posible para las familias que están considerando adoptar un niño del sistema de cuidado de crianza. Explora cómo obtener asistencia financiera y créditos tributarios por adopción y cómo utilizar el proceso de audiencias imparciales de un Estado para impugnar decisiones relacionadas con dicha asistencia.Describes how adoption assistance in the form of subsidies may help make adoption possible for families considering adopting a child from foster care. Includes information on securing financial assistance and adoption tax credits and how to appeal decisions related to such assistance.

Brinda orientación sobre cómo los padres de crianza pueden ayudar a los jóvenes a construir una base para una transición exitosa a la vida adulta fuera de cuidado de crianza. Describe los desafíos que enfrentan los jóvenes, cómo les afecta el cerebro adolescente durante este tiempo, y las leyes y los programas Federales. También detalla varias formas concretas de colaborar con los jóvenes.Provides guidance on how foster parents can help youth build a foundation for a successful transition to adult life outside of foster care. It describes the challenges youth face, how the adolescent brain affects them during this time, and Federal laws and programs. It also provides concrete ways they can partner with youth.