National Adoption Month 2021

Every Conversation Matters

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Youth Voices

Teens are a valuable source for what they need and what they want for their life. All professionals need to do is start the conversation and listen to what youth are asking for. In addition to being engaged in permanency planning, youth can also help shine a light on opportunities for programs and systems to improve. The stories and videos below provide valuable perspectives about adoption and child welfare from those with lived experience.

Videos

Liz & Ashley's Story

Desiree's Story

Stories

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Finding Normal

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From Foster Youth to Foster Care Advocate

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“I Want Other Kids to Know the Things I Learned Over Time”

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The Path Away From—and Back to—My Siblings: Discovering the Power of Family Identity and Sibling Relationships

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Permanency Beyond a Home

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What I Learned From My Mother About Adopting a Teen

The Children's Bureau

The Children's Bureau, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, funds the National Adoption Month initiative each November through a partnership with AdoptUSKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway.