General Resources
Use the tabs below to view resources that NCFA has curated from adoption organizations across the country. We continue to add resources to this list! If you find a resource that you think is helpful for adoptive families, birth parents, adopted children, or anyone touched by adoption, please send it to Julie Shull at jshull@adoptioncouncil.org.
Looking for more resources? NCFA's blog has quick information on everything from back to school tips to legislative Q&As. Our critically acclaimed Adoption Advocate publication releases in-depth articles monthly, written by various experts in the fields of adoption and child welfare on topics such as pre-adoption education, post-adoption services, and adoption experiences.
- What Pediatric Health Providers Should Know About Adoption
Quality Improvement Center for Adoption & Guardianship Support and Preservation
- What Teachers Should Know About Adoption
Quality Improvement Center for Adoption & Guardianship Support and Preservation
- 25 Factors to Consider When Adopting from the United States
Creating A Family – A nonprofit providing education and resources for infertility and adoption
- Adoption Opportunities
Children's Bureau, May 15, 2012
- National Resource Center for Adoption
- Choosing an Adoption Agency
Written by NCFA's Chuck Johnson
- Stepparent Adoption
A series of factsheets provided by the Child Welfare Information Gateway
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Websites
- Adopt US Kids
- Contact your local department of social services
- U.S. Department of Education's "Students in Foster Care" page
A directory of information on legislation and benefits for students who are or were in foster care.
Articles and Recommended Reading
- Help American Foster Children Succeed (And Especially Those in Our Own Backyards)
A presentation to the Rotary Club of Washington, DC, by NCFA Chairman Wayne W. Sharp, Ph.D., 2019
- Adoption Myths & Misperceptions
Dave Thomas Foundation 2007
- Children and Families First: A Chronicle of the Alameda County Social Services Agency Foster Care System
Casey Family Programs 2009
- A Determined Quest to Bring Adoptive Ties to Foster Teenagers
The New York Times January 30, 2010
- Foster Care Quality Linked to Hyperactive Youths' Progress
Modernmedicine.com February 1, 2010
- "Leaving Our Mark on a New Generation"
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's 2010 Foster Youth Intern Report
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For information on adoption in specific countries, visit the U.S. Department of State's Intercountry Adoption website.
Websites
- AdoptiveFamilies.com
An online source of adoption information for families before, during, and after adoption.
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
A website from the U.S. government that provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families.
- Equality for Adopted Children (EACH)
An organization that advocates on behalf of children adopted into American families and their adoptive families.
- Intercountry Adoption Alerts and Notices
A website from the U.S Department of State on "what you need to know" about the intercountry adoption process.
Articles and Recommended Reading
- Adoptees Offer Clues on Skills of Language
Boston.com February 15, 2010
- Intercountry Adoption from A to Z
U.S. Department of State, Office of Children’s Issues
- International Adoption: The Human Rights Position
Elizabeth Bartholet, Harvard University 2010
- Keeping Children Out of Harmful Institutions
Save the Children
- The Rise and Fall of International Adoption in the 21st Century
International Social Work 2009
- The Sky is Falling: Misleading Media Frenzy Over Failed Adoptions
by Kim Newman, Adoption Factbook IV
- Social Security Numbers For Children
Social Security Administration
- State Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad
Child Welfare Information Gateway, May 2011
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- Child Welfare Information Gateway State Statutes
Child Welfare Information Gateway
- Federal Laws for Child Welfare Policies and Practices
Child Welfare Information Gateway
- NACAC State Fact Sheets
North American Council on Adoptable Children
- State Adoption and Foster Care Information
Adopt US Kids
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- Adoption Statistics
BraveLove
- Child Welfare Adoption Statistics
Child Welfare Information Gateway
- FY 2003-2012 Foster Care: Entries, Exits and In Care on the Last Day of Each Federal Fiscal Year
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families
- Recent Demographic Trends in Foster Care by the Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families
- Third Annual Report Report to Congress on Highly Vulnerable Children
U.S. Agency for International Development December 2009
- The AFCARS Report
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families November 2013
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