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Have you been in search of a therapist to support your foster, adoptive, or kinship family, but stopped looking because you didn’t know what qualifications to look for, what questions to ask, or how to know if they would be a good fit for your family? Are you currently working with a therapist, but feel like you’re not making a connection, or they don’t seem to understand your needs or challenges? Do you know someone else who is struggling to find a helpful therapist? If you answered yes, this article is for you!
Lifelong Impacts of Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption Foster care, kinship care, and adoption are significant experiences with lifelong impacts. The American Psychological Association (APA) h...
Earlier today, the Administration for Children and Families released their annual report on U.S. Foster Care and Adoption statistics. You can view the full AFCARS report here. We provide a detailed...
I just celebrated my seventh anniversary as a birthmother. July 11th marked the day that my daughter was born and my life was forever changed. I was eighteen years old when I signed the ado...
Advocate for AdoptionUse our online advocacy tool to make your voice heard inCongress about pending legislation that impacts adoption. ...
I am honored to share with you my own personal adoption story, which is one of the reasons that I’ve dedicated my professional life to helping children find families through adoption. and so,...
My name is JR Taylor and I am an intern with the National Council For Adoption. Adoption has given me a loving family, great friends and opportunities I may not have found in my birth country. Nee...
It is common for transracially adopted children to be curious about their birth heritage and where they came. In my case, this curiosity did not appear until decades later. I was adopted in Taipei, ...
In honor of Black History Month, NCFA brings you a glimpse into the lives of several African-Americans who were adopted, lived in foster care, or were cared for by guardians. Many of these influent...
I can’t remember when I realized I was adopted. I have always felt a part of my family, even though I don’t have the same skin color as them. Yet, it wasn’t until I got older that I realized o...
National Council For Adoption (NCFA) announces the publication of the seventh edition of the National Adoption Data study. Adoption: By the Numbers is the only comprehensive source of the mos...
Tarrah and Dale turned to adoption because they had always wanted several children. They chose China because it has a well-established relationship with the U.S. and there were so many Chinese ...
Click on the image to view the full FAQs Nobody enjoys filing paperwork or paying filing fees, and for families that have completed an international adoption, they often think...
The Council on Accreditation (COA) announced today that the organization has notified the U.S. Department of State of their intent to terminate their role as a national accrediting entity—a...
I was speaking on a panel about intercountry adoption recently at a conference, and during the Q&A time an adoptive mom in the audience asked, “where does all the money go?” She was wonderin...
National news outlets have reported on the arrest this week of Arizona attorney Paul Petersen, who has been indicted on numerous charges related to the alleged trafficking of pregnant women and chi...
NCFA is celebrating 40 years of advocating for children, birth families, and adoptive families. We continue to see adoption practice evolve, including new or expanded opportunities for famil...
NCFA has been a strong advocate of the Adoption Tax Credit (ATC) since its inception, because it is a fiscally responsible way to help more American families who want to provide a permanent, lo...
In today's blog post, NCFA's Development Team offers our member agencies, primarily nonprofit organizations, best practices and tips for effectively communicating with donors and fundraising in...
Scott Hamilton, Babe Ruth, Mike Tyson, Aaron Judge. All of these athletes have something in common, but it is not what you might think. Marilyn Monroe, Steve Jobs, Kristen Chenoworth, Faith Hil...
Breaking Jurisdictional Barriers in Older Child Adoptions from Foster Care She scanned the room of the various individuals who came to learn more about adoption from foster care, and after ...
In May, we recognize National Foster Care Awareness Month. In the same breath, we advocate for children in foster care who wait for adoptive families. To many, this duality can be confusing. Foster...
May 8, 2020 - Alexandria, VA - This week, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released its FY 2019 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoptions. The report shows that American families adopted only 2,971...
Having followed Tori on social media for awhile, I knew that she would have a unique perspective to share with the adoption community during National Foster Care Month, and she was kind enough ...
In honor of National Foster Care Month, NCFA has been sharing voices and perspectives on our blog and social media channels from former foster youth, foster and adoptive parents, and professio...
Our thanks to guest blogger Rob Scheer, the 2019 recipient of NCFA's which honors individuals and organizations who have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure children who have been placed in fos...
Increasingly same-sex headed families are becoming a part of the adoption community. Since the legalization of gay marriage, many agencies have seen an increase in the number of same-sex couples loo...
Adoption dissolution has garnered national media attention in recent days in the wake of an announcement from YouTube influencers, Myka and James Stauffer that they had surrendered their son Huxley,...
The adoption process for expectant parents is different from state to state and across different adoption agencies, but most infant adoptions follow a similar process. Here are the steps you can ex...
Adoption Advocate No. 6
Federally subsidized guardianship would be a positive reform to the foster care financing system and can be achieved without undermining children's interests in adoption. A loving, permanent family...
Adoption Advocate No. 28
Introduction In January 2010, the earthquake in Haiti and its aftermath brought the longstanding debate over intercountry adoption and its place in the wake of an emergency to the public attention. ...
Contact Us National Council For Adoption 431 North Lee Street Alexandria, VA 22314-2561 Phone: (703) 299-6633 Media Line: (703) 718-5375 Fax: (703) 299-6004 Email: ncfa@adoptioncouncil.org Sen...
Support NCFA Make a Donation Legacy Society 2020 Annual Report Explore the work that NCFA accomplished in the 2020 fiscal year tha...
Ethiopia's parliament has passed legislation banning intercountry adoption. NCFA's Ryan Hanlon joined BBC World Service Radio to discuss how this decision places unparented children at risk. NCFA ...
Adoption Advocate No. 32
Introduction The 2008 National Survey of Adoptive Parents of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NSAP-SN) provides nationally representative information about the health and well being of adopt...
National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is pleased to name the late Becky Weichhand of Stevensville, Michigan as the 2020 recipient of the Warren and Mary Alice Babineaux Award for her pass...
In the summer of 1996, shortly after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I went to Atlanta to work at the Summer Olympic Games. In August, I became pregnant. The bi...
Finding out I was pregnant my senior year of high school was devastating. I did not want to believe it – it took three positive pregnancy tests to convince me that I was really pregnant. I h...
My name is Angela and I chose adoption. I am originally from St. Louis. I was born and raised there. I took the test, and I was in shock. Like, this is not happening, what about my future? Compl...
I had just turned 18 when I found out I was pregnant. Although I was young and it was unexpected, I felt an unbelievable amount of love for my unborn child. My parents pushed for adoption, especial...
Going to school pregnant, riding the bus…that was hard. You just have all the stares and you have all the questions. Even little kids make you nervous, just staring at you. When you get pregnan...
When you're the first teenager to get pregnant in your school, you're going to get talked about. I was really angry. I was angry at him, I was angry at myself. I've realized those were very, very...
My journey to motherhood changed me in both expected and surprising ways. There were the inevitable twists and turns, ups and downs along the way, but becoming a mother to my two sons has allow...
Adoption Advocate No. 90
Every adoptee has their own personal and unique adoption story. That history is a part of who they are, and remains a part of them as they move from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood....
Adoption Advocate No. 92
Introduction First, let me answer the question on everyone’s mind: What is adoption medicine? Children who join families through adoption may have special health, behavioral, and developmental nee...
Adoption Advocate No. 93
The word “adoption” often conjures up joyful images of families coming together, created out of an abundance of love. Adoptive parents are ecstatic welcoming their new child or children into the...
Adoption Advocate No. 94
Notice: This article is for general information only and is not to be construed as legal advice. National Council For Adoption recommends that you consult an attorney with expertise in adoption and ...
Adoption Advocate No. 95
Introduction Historically, private adoption agencies were founded to work on domestic infant and international adoptions. As time has passed and new policies and best practices have been established...
Adoption Advocate No. 96
Introduction When Andrew1 and his girlfriend Maria chose adoption for their daughter five years ago, Andrew was astounded that he had to sign only one form to terminate his parental rights, while M...
Adoption Advocate No. 97
Introduction Professionals involved in making child-placing decisions have a life-changing responsibility. These professionals must be properly qualified, trained, and supervised. There is little sc...
Adoption Advocate No. 99
Introduction: Decisions, Choices and Options As an adoptive parent and former high school teacher-turned-adoption educator, even I sometimes find it difficult to believe that there are still so many...
Adoption Advocate No. 100
Introduction Since the mid-1940s, the practice of adopting orphaned children internationally has experienced peaks as well as periods of decline, driven in part by public interest, world wars, chang...
Adoption Advocate No. 102
Introduction The wait can be challenging for many attempting to grow their families through adoption. Along with this wait, which is oftentimes quite long, come significant emotions—including joy,...
Adoption Advocate No. 104
Over the past ten years, I've received many calls from young adult adoptees pleading with me to send them their adoption or birth records. Most are heartbreaking stories of lost documents due to fir...
Adoption Advocate No. 106
“Why don’t you just adopt?” is a go-to question frequently asked by friends and family of people who struggle with infertility. But infertility is a disease that does not have a one-size-fits-...
Adoption Advocate No. 110
On December 16, 2016, the Department of State temporarily debarred the Hague accredited agency European Adoption Consultants (EAC), citing noncompliance with federal regulations. Less than two month...
Adoption Advocate No. 111
Military families have the potential to be outstanding adoptive families. They often have an incredible support network of friends. Military families tend to be flexible and adaptable and those are ...
Adoption Advocate No. 113
November is National Adoption Month, a time when our nation commits an entire month to focus attention on the institution of adoption. For many, it’s a time of celebrating the good that adoption a...
Adoption Advocate No. 114
Curiosity about who we are, where we came from, and our significance in life is universal. Today, opportunities abound to search family history to fill in the missing pieces of the past, whether a f...
Adoption Advocate No. 116
Lori and Joy met at National Council For Adoption's 2016 National Adoption Conference, where they discovered a shared purpose of building a positive adoption culture within the Black community. Wit...
Adoption Advocate No. 117
Editor's Note: National Council For Adoption asked Sarah Mraz to write this month’s Adoption Advocate following her presentation at last year’s NCFA conference. When asked her to write this piec...
Adoption Advocate No. 118
The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, commonly referred to as the Hague Convention on Adoption, went into force internationally in ...
Adoption Advocate No. 120
Adoption professionals have certain goals in mind when working with prospective adoptive families. The first goal for all involved is preparing for placement of the child(ren). This can be a joyous,...
Adoption Advocate No. 121
From simple education activities to implementing a robust adoption benefits program, workplace support of adoption not only increases awareness about the issues confronting our most vulnerable child...
Adoption Advocate No. 122
Open adoptions have steadily increased over the years. As a result, the post-adoption contact agreement, and its enforceability, is an issue all adoption professionals face. The overriding principl...
Adoption Advocate No. 123
Feeding and mealtimes are rich with opportunities for families to build trust and attachment, but when things aren’t going well, those opportunities are lost. From hoarding to picky eating, worr...
Adoption Advocate No. 124
The statistics are revealing. A third of adolescents referred for psychotherapy are adopted. Adolescence is the peak period for psychiatric referrals in the life of the adoptee. Approximately 5–17...
Adoption Advocate No. 125
Adoption. The real problem of intercountry adoption is that there is too little of it. Adoption is the only institution whereby unparented children become legal daughters and sons by force of a d...
Adoption Advocate No. 126
The choice of adoption for an expectant parent experiencing unintended pregnancy is a beautiful and viable option. As adoption professionals, we all have story after story we can share with the wor...
Adoption Advocate No. 127
What is Subsidiarity? Subsidiarity is one of the most hotly debated and diversely interpreted principles of intercountry adoption.1 But before diving into an explanation of subsidiarity in the int...
Adoption Advocate No. 128
Over the past century, transracial adoption in America has become more and more common. In this issue of the Adoption Advocate, Alexis Oberdorfer shares about the history of transracial adoption an...
Adoption Advocate No. 129
Before children enter the family via birth, step-parenting, foster care, or adoption, it is natural for parents to dream of what family life will be like: family activities like meal time, sharing g...
Adoption Advocate No. 130
The decision to begin or grow your family through adoption is certainly life-changing and rewarding. This decision can also bring with it a great deal of uncertainty and emotion. One hundred years ...
Adoption Advocate No. 131
Adoption in the U.S., originally focused on placing healthy infants, has evolved to the point that now the majority of children available for placement either have recognized medical problems or ar...
Adoption Advocate No. 133
Introduction Historically, adoptions in the United States were strictly closed adoptions that entailed sealed legal records and absolutely no contact between the birth parents and the adoptive famil...
Adoption Advocate No. 134
The media often presents the dramatic and heartwarming aspects of search and reunion, but for those involved, the reality is much more complex. This article explores the common questions and concern...
Adoption Advocate No. 135
Why were you adopted? What do you know about his real mom? Why did his real mom and dad give him up for adoption? Is he from another country? Was she abandoned? Do you have any kids of your own? Wh...
Adoption Advocate No. 136
I. Introduction The work of intercountry adoption agencies has always been larger than simply the placement of children with families. In addition to the placement of children, these agencies— as ...
Adoption Advocate No. 137
“Adopted or foster children will only ask their caregivers the questions they feel they have the permission to ask.” —Jane Hoyt-Oliver, LISW-S, Ph.D. Emerita Professor of Social Work, Malone U...
Adoption Advocate No. 138
This article is designed for families who have adopted or are preparing to adopt. Speech delays and communication challenges are among the most common issues that families encounter following an ado...
Adoption Advocate No. 139
The start of any New Year is usually considered a milestone for people and organizations alike, but for National Council For Adoption (NCFA), 2020 takes on even more significance than usual. Not onl...
Adoption Advocate No. 140
NCFA's "Choosing an Adoption Agency" from 2014 has been one of our most popular Adoption Advocates1. It's been recommended as a resource by the Today Show, NBC Dateline, and RESOLVE: The Nationa...
Adoption Advocate No. 141
Accreditation has long been used by professions to validate the qualifications of providers and the quality of services. This paper examines the accreditation of intercountry adoption service provid...
Adoption Advocate No. 142
Introduction Now more than ever, adoption agency personnel are being asked to help parents understand pediatric medical and mental health complexities. Whether children are adopted internationally,...
Adoption Advocate No. 143
In the early 1990s a treaty was drafted, debated, and eventually finalized that would shape the course of international adoption forever. The treaty, later known as The Hague Convention of 29 May 1...
Adoption Advocate No. 144
Editors’ Note: This month’s Adoption Advocate is intended to be a resource to adoptive parent couples. It is not intended to send a message that adoption is only for couples. Whether always sing...
A Note from NCFA: Adoption by the Numbers has now been updated! Please visit adoptioncouncil.org/numbers to see the 2022 report. Adoption: By the Numbers National Council For Adoption's Adoption:...
Update for the 2021 Tax Year (returns filed in 2022): Recent changes to the Child Tax Credit supersede the guidance previously outlined below. Adoptive parents who are waiting on a social security ...
Adoption Advocate No. 145
View and Download PDF Tricia loved being a mom. When she and Sam married after college graduation, they had dreamed of having a large family. By their tenth anniversary, they had two da...
Updated for Fall 2022 When educators and parents work together to support adopted children in the classroom, great things can happen! But this requires both teachers and parents to be properly inf...
It's not often that you remember exactly where you were when reading a book more than 13 years ago, but I do remember reading a manuscript of Dr. Karyn Purvis' The Connected Child. I was on a...
Weaving Hope Into Heartache – A Parent’s Perspective If you’re an adoptive parent like me who has had the benefit of training and education rooted in TBRI, then you know how essential Th...
NCFA desires to honor all voices in the adoption community in a variety of ways. Today we welcome Avia Weber to the blog to share her adoption experience. Avia, will you introduce yourself to our bl...
Adoption Advocate No. 147
My life changed completely when adoption became part of my story. Adoption encouraged me to become more empathetic, compassionate, understanding, and mature. Adoption led me to a life lived intimate...
In my previous blog, I talked about the negative impact that abuse and neglect can have on a child’s brain development. I emphasized the great benefit that a long-term caregiver and a forever home...
Introduction–What is a Third Culture Kid? Third culture kid (TCK) refers to children raised in a culture outside of their biological culture for a significant part of their developmental years.1 ...
Adoption Advocate No. 88
Thirteen years ago, I left the hospital as a proud new mom. Unlike most new moms, though, I also left the hospital with empty arms and a broken heart, as I had just placed my newborn baby boy into t...
Adoption Advocate No. 36
Editor's Note: NCFA is committed to protecting the best interests of and advocating for all members of the adoption triad: birthparents, adoptive parents, and children. While it is possible for bir...
Adoption Advocate No. 38
Download PDF Introduction Transracial adoption, once rare in this country, has grown significantly since the 1950s, primarily due to the rise of intercountry adoption. Intercountry adop...
Adoption Advocate No. 42
For many adoptive parents, it is easy to talk about their first meeting with their child, the first day they brought her home, or their early memories of her; these times are usually joyful to recal...
Adoption Advocate No. 50
In 1989, when the Ceausescu regime fell in Romania, foreign families streamed in to adopt many of the nation’s children that had been abandoned in institutions. This was the start of an era of sig...
Adoption Advocate No. 54
I imagine that when an older child meets his parents for the first time in preparation for a foster-to-adoption or adoption placement, his feelings might be similar to that of an astronaut about to ...
Adoption Advocate No. 57
This article, which is based on a working paper presented at the Ninth Annual Adoption Law and Policy Conference in March 2012, utilizes the 2006-2008 National Survey on Family Growth (conducted by ...
Adoption Advocate No. 58
Introduction: Factors that Can Influence How an Individual Deals with Loss One of the paradoxes of adoption is that, for all its potential benefits, it is nonetheless born of loss – including the ...
Adoption Advocate No. 60
When considering an adoption, you may wonder how the adoption of another child is going to affect your other children in the home. There are many factors – including your children’s ages, and th...
Adoption Advocate No. 61
If she is born into a nurturing family, an infant quickly discovers the power of her voice: she cries, and someone comes to her. Consistently, affectionately, and attentively, her needs are met, and...
Adoption Advocate No. 98
“The camps are a lot of fun for me because I grew up in a pretty small town where there was not a huge Asian population, so it was a very special experience to get together with so many other Asia...
Adoption Advocate No. 108
The November 2016 issue of the Adoption Advocate, “A Call for a More Ethical and Professional Adoption Practice,”1 was born out of a presentation I delivered at National Council For Adoption...
how to adopt Considering adoption? You probably have a lot of questions. How does the process work? Do I qualify? What are the options? How can I afford adoption? Isn't it really expensive? Who d...
It is critically important that parents who have adopted through intercountry adoption keep their promises and submit post-adoption reports as they committed to during the adoption process. NCFA bel...
Adoption resources for LGBTI/LGBTQ/LGBT parents.
Adoption Advocate No. 62
Disruption or dissolution is something that no one involved with an adoption wants to happen, and much has been written about the prevention of this occurrence. The reality is that some adoptive fam...
Adoption Advocate No. 65
Family is not about blood, it’s about who is willing to hold your hand when you need it most. –Unknown National Adoption Month: An Anniversary Month of Reflection I’m always grateful that Doro...
Adoption Advocate No. 66
Introduction Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a syndrome that causes great controversy. Rather than a clinical diagnosis, it is an umbrella term for the range of neurological, cognitive, de...
Adoption Advocate No. 68
When my best friend heard that my wife and I were planning to adopt, he asked, “Do you think you will be able to love your child as much as you would if she were your own?” Those of us who have ...
Adoption Advocate No. 69
Introduction Many researchers have documented heavy use of clinical services by adoptees,1 but little is known about how much training mental health professionals actually receive about adoption, o...
Adoption Advocate No. 70
Introduction The landscape of adoption has changed dramatically in recent years. In the past, an expectant parent would most likely connect with an adoption agency in her area through print adverti...
Adoption Advocate No. 72
Editor’s Note: While it is often easier to focus on the majority of successful adoptions, it is important for adoption and child welfare advocates to look closely at the cases in which adoption di...
Adoption Advocate No. 73
Introduction The increased regulation of adoption agencies and more stringent agency licensing requirements at both the state and federal levels have resulted in agencies being mandated to accept pr...
Adoption Advocate No. 74
I am always struck by how much adoption has changed since the 1980s, when I first began working as an intern at an adoption agency. At that time, most prospective adoptive families would have chose...
Adoption Advocate No. 75 - Ending the summer and beginning a new school year is a source of both excitement and anxiety for most children. But amidst the thrill of choosing special school supplies, finding a distinctive backpack, and shopping for new clothes are anxiety-inducing questions such as: Will I like my new teacher? Will I be in the same class as my friends? While for most children this transition to a new teacher and a new class may present a mild challenge, for children with histories of trauma or harm, entering school may reactivate previous uncertainties, losses, fears, and terrors.
Early research from our lab assessed the neurotransmitters of at-risk adopted and foster children during the summer, and then again during the early weeks of school. Not surprisingly, data showed a...
Adoption Advocate No. 77
Introduction Parenting adopted children brings with it unique challenges and rewards. Children adopted at older ages—especially those from the U.S. foster care system—typically come to their new...
Adoption Advocate No. 78
Introduction Adoption. A special way for a family to be formed, and yet born of loss. A journey to navigate, with both joys and challenges. Not a one-time event, but a defining and ongoing experien...
Adoption Advocate No. 80
Introduction While adopting a child from another country, you receive word that the in-country court has scheduled the final guardianship or adoption hearing. You make travel plans with your family...
Adoption Advocate No. 82
"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one." – Leo J. Burke The Problem Dr. Sears: "Thou shalt cosleep, unless you don't really want that special bond we like to call attachmen...
Adoption Advocate No. 84
I found out I was pregnant shortly after I began my senior year of high school. At the time, I was in serious relationship with my boyfriend Robbie. Although we were very surprised and completely u...
Adoption Advocate No. 85
Introduction The adoption community needs a fresh vision of intercountry adoption that will restore both reputation and momentum to the practice. This requires a fundamental reworking of our identit...
Adoption Advocate No. 86
Introduction Attachment is the glue that establishes the connection between a child and a parent. When a child is born and remains with a biological parent, bonding and attachment begin immediately....
Adoption Advocate No. 87
Introduction Over the years, I’ve had a number of parents question me about what they should say to their child when that child asks about his or her biological parents. Adoptive families may have...
Choosing an Adoption Professional"Which adoption professional is right for me?" Answering that question is one of the first and most important decisions to be made in the adoption pr...
Adoption Advocate No. 149
“Cam, you’re fired. I like you, I’m cheering for you, but you broke the rules and I have to fire you.” It was mid-summer, the camp director and I were sitting at a picnic table on the edge o...
Staff and Board A team of professionals dedicated to the mission and vision of NCFA Ryan Hanlon, PhD PRESIDENT / CEO Nicole Davi DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH ...
For over 40 years, NCFA has provided expert resources, education, and advocacy for all people and organizations connected to adoption to help ensure every child has the opportunity t...
Adoption Professionals NCFA supports professionals in the adoption community with adoption-specific social work CE offerings and relevant trainings to strengthen the field of practice and long...
Education & Resources Adoption Professionals Pre-Adoptive Parents Adoptive Parents Adopted Persons ...
Education & Resources Adoption Professionals Pre-Adoptive Parents Adoptive Parents Adopted Persons ...
Vision Our vision is a world in which all children everywhere have nurturing, permanent families. Mission Passionately committed to the belief that every child deserves to thrive in a nurturing,...
NCFA Award RecipientsSince 1982, National Council For Adoption has been proud to honor and celebrate the contributions of individuals and organizations in the adoption community. Cli...
Tools and Resources to Equip Adoption Advocates Every child, everywhere, has the right to thrive in a nurturing, permanent family. Together, we can create change that makes that right a reality...
Change the lives of children around the world. Without your loyalty and generosity, our work would not be possible. Your donations equip adoptive families, support adoptees and birth parents, t...
Change the lives of children around the world. Without your loyalty and generosity, our work would not be possible. Your donations equip adoptive families, support adoptees and birth parents, train...
Leave a Legacy for AdoptionNCFA recognizes donors who have chosen to include NCFA in their estate plans through the Lou Stern Legacy Society.The society's name honors the life's work...
Adoption Resources & TrainingNCFA is committed to providing non-partisan, research-based resources for everyone touched by adoption, whether you're looking for parenting guidance...
The Premier Annual Education Event for Adoption Professionals June 26 - 28, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas Register Now! About the ConferenceWe are excited to announ...
Education & Resources Adoption Professionals Pre-Adoptive Parents Adoptive Parents Adopted Persons ...
Education & Resources Adoption Professionals Pre-Adoptive Parents Adoptive Parents Adopted Persons ...
Education & Resources Adoption Professionals Pre-Adoptive Parents Adoptive Parents Adopted Persons ...
State by State Information Expand National Governors Association Coronavirus Resources Page Scroll down on this page to the “What Steps Have States Taken to Address the Coronavirus?”...
What is open adoption? Today, a significant majority of domestic infant adoptions are "open adoptions" in that birth parents and adoptive parents have agreed to engage in some level of communicatio...
When considering intercountry adoption, prospective adoptive parents will hear countries often referred to as "Hague Countries" and "Non-Hague Countries". These can also be called "Convention Count...
Words matter so much, especially when we’re speaking about something as deeply personal as adoption. Accurate adoption language can help stop the spread of misconceptions about adoption and reflec...
Each November, we recognize National Adoption Month as an opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate adoptive families and their children who have benefitted from both domestic and intercount...
Adoption Advocate No. 41
I grew up in southwest Pennsylvania, in a small suburb of Pittsburgh called Moon Township. Sandwiched between an older and younger sister, I was surrounded by supportive family and friends growing u...
Adoption Advocate No. 81
Introduction This is Part II of a two-part series that provides an overview of the most common perils and pitfalls involved in designating a child as an orphan under U.S. law, and emphasizes best p...
InternshipsNCFA offers an excellent internship opportunity for students to join us as we promote a culture of adoption through education, research, and legislative action. Our staff ...
What You Should Know About Choosing AdoptionWe know that you probably have a lot of questions about adoption. The information on this page may not answer all the questions you may ha...
Expectant Parent's Guide to Choosing an Adoption Agency If you're facing an unintended pregnancy, you're probably stressed and are struggling to find tru...
The Adoption Advocate is a free publication created by NCFA to educate and support adoption professionals, policymakers, families, child welfare specialists, and other interested parties on today's...
Member Attorneys NCFA recently expanded our membership to include adoption attorneys. Using an NCFA Member Attorney gives you the peace of mind that your attorney is credible, reliable, and operates...
Adoption Professionals Social Work CE National Conference Training Join NCFA! Job Bo...
Post-Adoption Contact Agreement State Review Alabama - Ann. Code § 26-10A-30 Expand Involvement of the Child? Rule Language Post-adoption visitation rights for the natural gra...
Empowering Today's Adoption Professionals Adoption Professionals Social Work CE National Conference Training ...
Depending on what type of adoption service you are looking for, you may be able to work with either an adoption agency or attorney, or both. Use this chart to discover your options! Please note tha...
National Council For Adoption (NCFA) joins the multitude of nonpartisan calls that the minor children of public officials should be off limits in political wars – and more specifically, personal d...
Educational Webinars for the Adoption Community Our library of on-demand webinars were designed to meet the needs of today's adoption professionals and offer supportive education to adoptive fa...
February 6, 2018 – Alexandria, VA – On Thursday, February 1, 2018, the U.S. Department of State published a notice to adoption service providers regarding substantial fee increases associated wit...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Lauren Koch (703) 299-6633 lkoch@adoptioncouncil.org Dramatic and Tragic Decline in Intercountry Adoption Numbers Continues April 1, 2015 – Alexandria, VA – T...
March 23, 2018 - Alexandria, VA - The U.S. Department of State has released its FY 2017 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoptions, revealing that American families adopted 4,714 children through inter...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Lauren Koch (703) 299-6633 lkoch@adoptioncouncil.org National Council For Adoption Introduces New Officers for the Board of Directors May 1, 2015 – Alexandria, ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Lauren Koch (703) 299-6633 lkoch@adoptioncouncil.org National Foster Care Month Honors 101,840 Children Waiting to be Adopted May 21, 2015 – Alexandria, VA – ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Lauren Koch (703) 299-6633 lkoch@adoptioncouncil.org National Council For Adoption Announces the Inaugural Warren and Mary Alice Babineaux Award Recipients, Gover...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Lauren Koch (703) 299-6633 lkoch@adoptioncouncil.org National Council For Adoption to Premiere New Public Service Announcement Featuring PGA Golfer Bubba Watson a...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Kevin Wrege (703) 299-6633 kwrege@adoptioncouncil.org Introducing New Members of the National Council For Adoption Board of Directors January 6, 2016 – Alexandr...
Get started So you've read about the issues, you've flipped through our Adoption Advocacy Toolkit, and now you're ready to reach out to Congress as an adoption advocate! Here is a directory of resou...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Chuck Johnson (703) 299-6633 cjohnson@adoptioncouncil.org Intercountry Adoptions by Americans Lowest Since 1981 April 1, 2016 – Alexandria, VA – The U.S. Depa...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Kevin Wrege (703) 299-6633 kwrege@adoptioncouncil.org National Council For Adoption Introduces New Board Chairman and Officers May 4, 2016 – Alexandria, VA – ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Kevin Wrege (703) 299-6633 kwrege@adoptioncouncil.org Babineaux Award Honors Former Foster Care Youth Sixto Cancel is a foster care alumnus who has already made a...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Chuck Johnson (703) 299-6633 cjohnson@adoptioncouncil.org Babineaux Award Honors Outstanding Service to Children in Foster Care May 5, 2017 – Alexandria, VA –...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Julie Shull (703) 299-6633 jshull@adoptioncouncil.org National Council For Adoption Welcomes Ryan Hanlon as Vice President August 21, 2017 – Alexandria, VA –...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Ryan Hanlon (571) 414-0967 rhanlon@adoptioncouncil.org Council on Accreditation Announces Intent to Terminate Their Role as a National Accrediting Entity October...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Chuck Johnson (301) 751-3750 cjohnson@adoptioncouncil.org Announcing 2017 Adoption Hall of Fame Honorees Senators Blunt and Klobuchar, Representatives Bass and F...
Training for Adoption Professionals Our library of on-demand webinar style courses are designed to meet the needs of today's adoption professionals, offering: View the Course Catalo...
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION The leader in adoption advocacy, education, research, and professional development since 1980. Every child, everywhere, deserves to thrive in a nurturing, per...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Chuck Johnson (703) 299-6633 cjohnson@adoptioncouncil.org June 22, 2018 – Alexandria, VA – National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is proud to present the 2018 ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Chuck Johnson (703) 299-6633 cjohnson@adoptioncouncil.org November 7, 2018 – Alexandria, VA – National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is proud to induct national...
March 14, 2019 – Alexandria, VA – Today, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released its FY 2018 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoptions. The report shows that American families adopted only 4,05...
May 1, 2019 - Alexandria, VA - National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is proud to announce their incoming elected officers of the Board of Directors, who begin their terms in May 2019. Heidi Cox, J.D....
Chuck Johnson, President & CEO of the National Council For Adoption, presents Jimmy Wayne with the 2019 Warren and Mary Alice Babineaux Award in recognition of his continued commitment to cr...
L-R: National Council For Adoption (NCFA) President and CEO Chuck Johnson, NCFA Board member Mike Thorne, 2019 Babineaux awardee Rob Scheer, NCFA Chairman of the Board Wayne W. Sharp, Ph.D. June...
August 7, 2019 - Alexandria, VA - National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is proud to announce newly elected officers of the Board of Directors, who began their terms in June 2019. Lisa A. Sinclair, Es...
November 14, 2019 - Alexandria, VA - Since 1987, National Council For Adoption's Adoption Hall of Fame has recognized the outstanding commitment, service, and sacrifice of those who are furthering t...
January 24, 2020 – Alexandria, VA – National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is proud to announce newly elected officers of the Board of Directors as well as three new members of the Board. Heidi Bru...
March 27, 2020 – Alexandria, VA – Many U.S. families in the midst of intercountry adoptions are currently stranded overseas in vulnerable situations and in need of immediate assistance as a resul...
May 8, 2020 - Alexandria, VA - This week, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released its FY 2019 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoptions. The report shows that American families adopted only 2,971...
July 28, 2020 – Alexandria, VA – National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is pleased to name the late Becky Weichhand of Stevensville, Michigan as the 2020 recipient of the Warren and Mary Alice Bab...
We know that you probably have a lot of questions. The questions and answers on this page may not answer all the questions you may have about adoption, but this list should help you get started. ...
Adoption can be a positive option for all members of the triad; infants placed for adoption can grow up in a loving family, birth parents who are not ready or able to parent are given the opportuni...
Updated November 2022 Across the United States, there are nearly 114,000 children and teens waiting for permanency with a loving, nurturing family. Get the facts and resources you need to decide if...
If you are considering an intercountry adoption you probably have lots of questions and may not be sure where to even begin trying to understand all that is involved. Let's start with the basics, a...
With proper financial planning, adoption can be an affordable option for many families. Whether you're interested in adoption grants or loans, the list below includes some of the resources availa...
Adoption Advocate No. 148
In 2019, 23 percent of all children in foster care were 13-17 years old, and nearly 6 percent of those were adopted that same year.1 While international adoptions have declined overall since 2005, ...
Adoption Advocate No. 146
The decision to become a parent brings one of life's greatest joys and carries with it a whole host of commitments and responsibilities to provide for the many needs children have: from the basics ...
The Adoption Tax Credit is a great way to support adoptive families. You don't need be a tax expert to understand the basics of this credit, which thousands of families claim every year. We asked B...
The U.S. Department of State has released its FY 2017 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoptions, revealing that American families adopted 4,714 children through intercountry adoption from Octob...
Important Adoption Laws Adoption is a deeply personal, and profoundly impactful decision with lifelong impact for all involved. It is vital that the adoption process is safeguarded by robust and a...
Yesterday, the Supreme Court released an opinion on Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl. The facts in this case are not simple. Summarily though, a man enrolled in the Cherokee tribe and a non-native Ame...
Prepare for International Adoption The Intercountry Adoption Journey is a 10-hour course that fulfills the training requirements of countries that are party to the Hague Adoptio...
To begin your journey, register for the training(s) that meet your needs using the links below! Intercountry Adoption Journey10-hour base training China ...
NCFA Membership Information Apply for Agency Membership Apply for Attorney Membership Discover the many benefits of NCFA membersh...
In honor of National Adoption Month 2020, NCFA is featuring various stories and perspectives on adoption. Today we welcome guest writer Jessica, a birth mom, working to raise awareness about the im...
By Crystal Kupper Subtle yet steady, a culture war has been slowly brewing in the child advocacy world. It boasts no herald to announce its merits to the nation, and few outside its fields of battl...
Adoption Advocate No. 150
Download PDF At various times throughout the year, we are immersed as a culture in times of annual celebration that are strongly linked to traditions, memories, friends, and family. Whi...
Adoption Advocate No. 151 - Adoption subsidies are an underutilized and often misunderstood resource for those who qualify for adoption assistance. This month’s issue of the Adoption Advocate provides essential information and answers to frequently asked questions about adoption subsidies.
What Are Adoption Subsidies? People who are interested in adopting are often worried about their ability to come up with the necessary funds for the adoption process. They may also wonder how they ...
Intercountry Adoption Regulations What are Regulations? In basic terms, the regulations are the rules that govern intercountry adoptions t...
Dr. and Mrs. Wayne and Linda Sharp have been named the 2021 recipients of the Ruby Lee Piester Award. The Ruby Lee Piester Adoption Award is reserved for those whose exceptional and extraordinar...
Support the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act Share Your Story Too often the cost of the adoption process stands in the way of children coming into permanent, loving families. Lawmakers are...
Updated January 2024 The Adoption Tax Credit can significantly offset the costs and fees of an adoption process, but prospective adoptive parents need to ensure they understand the basics before de...
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Conference Sponsorship Opportunities View Sponsorship Prospectus Sold Out! Platinum Sponsor $15,000 Recognition as the...
Adoption Advocate No. 153
Transparent and effective child advocacy requires adoption agencies to weigh important ethical considerations and follow best practices. In this issue of the Adoption Advocate, Jennifer Lanter and ...
In many adoption processes, prospective adoptive parents are asked to agree in advance to comply with post-adoption reporting requirements. This is especially true for intercountry adoptions, as ma...
Adoption Advocate No. 154
Choosing an open adoption is just the first step in a lifelong journey for birth mothers. In this issue of the Adoption Advocate, three birth moms share their stories and offer advice and encourage...
Adoption Advocate No. 155
America's foster care system is in crisis. Despite real efforts to effect change, over 120,000 children remain in the system awaiting a permanent family through adoption. Finding the right families...
Adoption Advocate No. 156
Can military families adopt while a parent is on active duty? Should military families avoid adoption due to deployments and frequent moves? What do adoption professionals need to know and practice...
USCIS Seeking Public Comment on Intercountry AdoptionThe adoption community has an opportunity to weigh in on USCIS policies and procedures. Your voice can influence and shape publi...
In May we recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to honor the influence and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans who have enriched and signif...
Parenting is not an easy job. There are many things you can do to help you prepare for the many colossal feats this task presents like, reading books, watching videos, or seeking advice from those ...
Take ActionNCFA has made it quick and easy for you to contact your members of Congress so you can make your voice heard on important adoption policies and proposed legislation. Use o...
NCFA has been a strong advocate of the Adoption Tax Credit (ATC) since its inception, as a fiscally responsible way to help more American families who want to provide a permanent, loving hom...
This was the question Show Hope Founders, Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, asked themselves when dreaming how to further address the medical needs of children who are in need of a permanent, l...
ALEXANDRIA, VA, June 9, 2021 - National Council For Adoption (NCFA) supports the passage of S. 1156 and H.R. 3031, the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2021 (ATCRA). The proposed legislatio...
On May 28, 2021, NCFA met via video conference with several African country adoption authority representatives to discuss transparent and ethical intercounty adoptions. I am currently a NCFA intern...
Adoption Advocate No. 157 - For many expectant parents, a prenatal Down Syndrome diagnosis brings increased complexity to parenting decisions, whether the pregnancy was planned or unplanned. This issue of the Adoption Advocate outlines the practices adoption professionals need to develop in order to competently provide specialized support and care in these delicate situations. Common questions regarding the education and experience needed when adopting a child with Down Syndrome are also addressed.
One in 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, the most common occurring chromosomal condition. Individuals with Down syndrome often have cognitive differences, weak muscle tone...
Putative Father Registries National Council For Adoption believes that registries promote the best interests of children first, while seeking to balance the interests of adults involved when an ado...
On Friday, July 9, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit decided case No. 20-5158, in which National Council For Adoption (NCFA) was appellant. The matter centered ar...
Earlier this week the Department of State released its annual report on U.S. intercountry adoptions, providing statistics for October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020 and outlining adoption-related ac...
Adoption Research We provide accurate, reliable, and up-to-date reports that inform and equip professionals, policymakers, and the public at large to improve and strengthen adoption. In 2021, w...
Profiles in Adoption Birth Parent Experiences NCFA's research team, in partnership with BraveLove, conducted focus groups with birth mothers and completed a nationwide survey of birth parents, ...
Adoption Advocate No. 158
Postadoption depression. It's more common than you may think, but it can be an uncomfortable thing for adoptive parents to talk about. Left unaddressed, postadoption depression, sometimes referred ...
Funded as a cooperative agreement with the Children's Bureau, NTDC is led by Spaulding for Children in partnership with National Council For Adoption (NCFA), Center for Adoption Support and Educat...
The pandemic was difficult for everyone, and I was crushed when COVID-19 canceled my 2020 summer internship with NCFA. So, when the opportunity for a 2021 summer internship presented itself, I...
Adoption Advocate No. 159
An increasing number of adoptive families are single parent households where children have found permanency and are thriving with a Mom or Dad only. To learn how to best support these adoptive fami...
Each year since 1982, NCFA has recognized those who have made significant contributions to building a culture that supports all members of the adoption community. The roll of past honorees in...
Upcoming Events Webinar: Talking to Friends and Family About AdoptionMay 16, 2024 1:00 - 2:00pm ET Join us for an enlightening conversation on how to talk to your friends and fami...
This year ACI is a sponsor, a sponsor of the color gold To NCFA I give tribute and with my highest esteem I do hold. An organization like ours with member support will never fold We're stro...
Adoption Advocate No. 160
In this practical introductory guide to Dr. Bruce Perry's Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, learn how adoptive parents and professionals can implement the wisdom of the NMT, particularly The S...
As the number of private adoptions in the U.S. declines, uncertainty for adoptive parents grows. Agencies are reporting steady interest from would-be parents but a decrease in the number of calls...
October 18, 2021 - Alexandria, VA - National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is pleased to announce Dr. Elizabeth Bartholet as the 2021 inductee to the Adoption Hall of Fame. This award is given annual...
Adoption Advocate No. 161
Access to adoption and birth records for adopted individuals sits at the intersection of ethics, privacy, confidentiality, and adoptee rights. Carefully navigating these delicate topics requires an...
YOUR IMPACT FY 2023 Annual Report This year has shown us how truly interconnected the pillars of our work are, with high-quality research turning into high-impact educational con...
Adoption Advocate No. 162
Renewed discussion of racial inequality throughout the U.S. has revitalized attention to racial disproportionalities in the child welfare system and how they might best be addressed. The Multiethni...
A visual snapshot of NCFA's impact in adoption awareness, education, research, and advocacy in 2021 made possible by the engagement and generosity of our friends and supporters. Loading...
An overview of adoption trends in the United States PDF version 18% Decrease in adoptions from foster care from FY19 - FY 21 19,130 Number who aged out of foster care withou...
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Adoption Advocate No. 163
Improving the adoption process and long-term outcomes for everyone impacted by adoption will require legislative action by Congress to address key issues. In the January 2022 issue of the Adoption ...
May 31, 2022 Update Last week, the U.S. Department of State issued an update regarding Judicial Adoption Hearings in Ukraine. Of note, is the confirmation of what adoptive parents and adoptive serv...
Adoption Advocate No. 83
May is National Foster Care Month. In this month's issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, Dr. Wayne Sharp lays out the enormous social and economic cost when youth age out of foster care - as approxim...
NCFA recently conducted a webinar about supporting people in the adoption community who have roots in Ukraine and Russia. We have compiled a list of resources on this topic below. Supporting Youth ...
Adoption Advocate No. 164
Kinship adoption, in one form or another, has been around for centuries. And yet there is a significant lack of training and resources on how to support families navigating this pathway to permanen...
Kinship adoption is perhaps one the lesser-known and understood types of adoption, and yet it has been happening for decades, both formally and informally. In the U.S. there is a renewed emphasis o...
Ensuring U.S. citizenship for their adopted child can be a daunting task for expat parents. Essentially, there are three ways that a foreign-born child can obtain U.S. citizenship following adoptio...
April 14, 2022 - Alexandria, VA - On Friday, April 29, National Council For Adoption (NCFA) will welcome Today Show host Hoda Kotb, Olympians Greg Louganis and Kitty Carruthers, and Super Bowl Cham...
Adoption by the Numbers Want to know how many children were adopted in the United States in 2019 and 2020? In our newest comprehensive research report, NCFA explores: Read the Report...
Adoption Advocate No. 165
Adoptions that take place across state lines often involve the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), an important legislative agreement to facilitate interstate child welfare rela...
As you may expect, parenting adopted children comes with its own unique set of challenges. Parenting transracially adopted children can add additional layers of challenges for parents to navigate a...
ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 11, 2022) - A new report released by National Council For Adoption (NCFA) highlights the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on adoption within the U.S. Adoption by the Numbers, a r...
ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 18, 2022) - National Council For Adoption (NCFA), the nation's leading adoption organization, is pleased to announce the selection of Ryan Hanlon as President and CEO and severa...
Social Work CE Our library of on-demand courses is designed to meet the needs of today's adoption professionals, offering: Upcoming Webinars April 2, 2024 | 1:00pm -2:30 pm ET 1.5 CEs/Co...
ALEXANDRIA, VA (June 21, 2022) - National Council For Adoption was proud to present the 2022 Warren and Mary Alice Babineaux Award to Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Indiana Department of Chil...
Adoption Advocate No. 166
Little education and training exists on the intersection of addiction and adoption. As the director of Adoption Programming at PACE Recovery, and an adopted individual, Dr. Brett Furst offers his e...
Thanks to the participation of over 4,200 adoptive parents, NCFA collected an expansive volume of data through our 2021 survey. In our new report, we highlight some of the key findings of our analy...
Adoption Advocate No. 167 - For adopted individuals to be empowered to advocate for their healthcare needs, medical providers must know how to interact in an adoption identity affirming manner and create an environment where patients feel safe discussing their biological history. To accomplish this, adoption professionals and parents should partner with both adopted individuals and medical providers to find ways to thoughtfully navigate adopted patients’ healthcare needs. This issue of the Adoption Advocate explains how to begin that process.
Introduction While numerous health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control, emphasize the importance of family history in assessing patients' health risk, resources on how medical ...
ALEXANDRIA, VA (July 27, 2022) - A new report released by National Council For Adoption (NCFA) highlights the dramatic changes that have taken place in adoption in recent decades and answers key qu...
Secure the Future of AdoptionIn December 2020, National Council For Adoption announced the launch of the Families For All Development Fund, generously founded with a leadership gift ...
Adoption After Infertility Trusted guidance for a life-changing decision with a lifelong journey We can help. We know that your path to considering adoption was not easy. Every person's e...
With a lunch box in hand and a plaid skirt down to my knees, I entered the gymnasium for my first day of fifth grade. Fifth grade was a big deal at morning arrival and afternoon dismissal-- we got ...
The U.S. Department of State has published its annual report on intercountry adoptions completed between October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. During this time, there were 1,785 intercountry...
Prospective adoptive parents pursue adoption for various reasons, this can include expanding their family following the birth of a child or creating a family as a single person. For others, the rou...
Virginia native honored with prestigious recognition for service to children and families Alexandria, VA (September 28, 2022) - National Council For Adoption (NCFA), an advocacy, education, an...
Considering adoption after infertility can bring a lot of questions, and figuring out how to make the right decisions can feel overwhelming. We hope that these frequently asked questions and answer...
Adoption Advocate No. 168 - Did you know that the Census Bureau is a great source for U.S. adoption statistics? With surveys going back to 1990, the Census Bureau has a number of demographic data collections for adoption researchers, but it can be hard to know where to start and how to find exactly what you’re looking for. In this month’s issue of the Adoption Advocate, Rose Krieder, Chief of the Fertility and Family Statistics Branch of the Bureau, introduces the collected data and explains how users can find publications and data files that will help provide a better understanding of adoption.
Editor's Note: This article is released to inform interested parties of ongoing research and to encourage discussion of work in progress. The views expressed on statistical or methodological issues...
Course Registration Studies show that adopted children are referred for special needs support within the school system at twice the rate of non-adopted children. NCFA's recent Profiles ...
Learn how to advocate for your child in school The purpose of this training module is to help foster and adoptive parents understand educational considerations that may need to be put in place for ...
The purpose of this training module is to help foster and adoptive parents understand and normalize the need to ask for services and the importance of being a life-long learner, recognize the need ...
We want to hear from you! Personal stories are powerful motivators. Yours can help to: Encourage families who are in similar situations. Persuade lawmakers to change policy. Inspire philanthropist...
Many children in the United States receive diagnoses and therapeutic services to help meet their needs. These children's parents, teachers, medical providers, and other caregivers, focus on meeting...
Your go-to source for all things Adoption We provide subject matter expertise for journalists and content creators who develop news and stories about adoption. Submit your inquiry ...
A training course for adoption professionals As families prepare to welcome a child through adoption, it is important that they consider the possibility that their child was or will be exposed to s...
Adoption Advocate No. 169 - There is unanimous agreement in the scientific literature that the vast majority of all adoptions are successful. Despite these encouraging statistics, it remains important for adoption social workers to be prepared to help support families who may struggle after adoptive placement. This article provides an overview of the existing empirical evidence pertaining to adoption disruption or dissolution and associated variables, highlighting factors related to the child, the adoptive parent(s), and the professional adoption services.
Unsuccessful adoptions are markedly complex. Child welfare scholars have attempted to guide and inform social work practice by isolating specific variables that may serve as "predictors" of adoptio...
We learned a lot about the characteristics of adoptive parents in the U.S. when we conducted a nationwide survey in 2021 that garnered 4,200+ responses - the largest survey to date of this populati...
The Problem Hope for a family has rapidly disappeared for thousands of children One of NCFA's foundational values-and a cornerstone of the Hague Convention on Adoption-is that a continuum ...
A lawsuit filed in Merrimack County, New Hampshire Superior Court last week makes serious allegations against numerous individuals and organizations, of child abuse, neglect, and failure to protect...
It's not common, but adoption fraud can and does occur. In this article, we'll be focusing on how hopeful adoptive parents can protect themselves from an adoption scam by being educated about the w...
Adoption Advocate No. 170 - The National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) is a newly developed, comprehensive free training curriculum to prepare and equip foster and adoptive parents. This program utilizes technology, multi-media, and adult learning theory to equip parents with the information they need to successfully foster and/or adopt. Developed for people who want to foster or adopt through the public child welfare system, this curriculum has been adapted for families who adopt via the private domestic or intercountry process.
Funded through a five-year cooperative agreement with the Children's Bureau, NTDC was developed and is being led by Spaulding for Children in partnership with National Council For Adoption (NCFA), ...
Ask your members of Congress to help The situation in Haiti is dire. Last week, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called the situation in Port-au-Prin...
The Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), the Center for Adoption Policy (CAP), and National Council For Adoption (NCFA) call on the United States government and the int...
Pre-Adoptive Parents Considering Adoption? We Can Help. NCFA provides prospective adoptive parents with accurate, reliable, expert-based information about adoption to help you make the next dec...
Adoption Advocate No. 171 - If we as families, caregivers, professionals, providers, and educators wish to see true change in our children and communities, we must learn to recognize the importance of the attachment relationship, the role of emotional safety and security in brain development and secure attachment, and the detrimental impact of trauma in this process.
The impact of prenatal stress and preverbal trauma on developmental trajectories is both a topic of education and area of treatment focus in my clinical practice. As a specialist in infant and earl...
Adoption Advocate No. 172 - In a field saturated with research and best practices on adoption competency and adoption-informed care, there is much value in creating intentional spaces where we can learn directly from adoptees. Adoptees possess valuable perspectives and offer a wealth of knowledge to adoptive parents, prospective adoptive families, adoption professionals, and the wider community.
Part of honoring the adoptee voice is recognizing that there is no single adoption narrative. This requires us to hold space and honor the voices of all adopted individuals and their experiences wi...
Learn how to empower the women you serve to make fully-informed decisions with accurate information about modern day adoption. Register for the free course Adoption has changed, a...
The U.S. Department of State has released the FY2022 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption. This covers the period of time from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. In the report, the Depar...
Adoption Advocate No. 173 - As more adoptive parents seek healing for their children through mental health services, they are part of an overall rise in the general population of children and adolescents whose mental health and behavioral treatment plans involve medication. In this issue of the Adoption Advocate, child psychiatrist Joshua Sparrow outlines common concerns and considerations for psychotropic medications, when to worry, tips for observing, describing, and understanding your child's behavior, and how to develop a team approach for parents, children, doctors, and teachers.
Mental Health and Behavioral Treatment Options The adoption community has made great progress in understanding the impact of trauma on children's mental health and emotional well-being. As more...
THANKS FOR SIGNING UP! Get started with some of our most popular resources at the links below. Don't miss urgent adoption advocacy alerts! Opt-in by texting "adoptionadvocate" to 855-967-4...
Adoption Advocate No. 174 - This article covers what openness means in the context of adoption and how adoptive parents can, through openness, help adoptees integrate and heal. Lori Holden, adoptive parent, author, speaker, and podcaster, proposes three shifts adoptive parents can make—to better focus on what really matters, answering the question of how adoptive parents can create and support healing and integration for adoptees in the ways they “do” adoption in their homes and within the larger culture?
Three Shifts to Bridge the Gap Between Birth Families and Adoptive Families for the Adoptees We Love Adoption creates a split between a person's biology and biography, and openness is an essent...
Adoption Assistance and Subsidies Answers and resources to help pre-adoptive families People who are interested in adopting are often worried about their ability to come up with the necessary...
PDF Version There are different types of adoption assistance that families may receive. Children can qualify for state or federal subsidies, and each state has discretion regarding the ...
PDF Version 1. Applying after the adoption is finalized. Families should wait to have a signed subsidy agreement before proceeding to finalize the adoption. It is very rare to have an...
The vast majority of children who are placed for adoption from foster care are eligible for an adoption subsidy/assistance. It is also possible that a child who is not in the foster care system (so...
Adoption Advocate No. 175 - The Adoption and Safe Families Act legislation (ASFA) is under increased scrutiny with some even calling for its repeal. An accurate understanding of the history and implementation of this landmark child welfare legislation is more important than ever. This article will help you understand what ASFA does and the real impact on children and families.
History and Impacts The Adoption and Safe Families Act, better known as "ASFA," is considered by many to be the most significant child welfare system reform legislation of the 20th century. Pri...
National Council For Adoption empowers and encourages all who are connected to adoption, so that all children can thrive in permanent, loving families. Surveys show that nearly 40 percent of American...
Alexandria, VA (October 23, 2023) - National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is pleased to announce Mary Beth Chapman, founder of the non-profit adoption support organization, Show Hope, as the 2023 in...
Adoption Affordability Resources and information to help you pay for an adoption For All Types of Adoptions Adoption Financial Resources Adopting can be expensive, bu...
National Adoption Month is always an interesting time for those who are adopted. It is a month full of opportunities to be intentional about elevating the voices and needs of adoptees who may often...
Adoption Advocate No. 176 - Confronting the Problem of Unlicensed Adoption Intermediaries and Online Advertising in Private Domestic Adoption
Introduction The ever-increasing cost and unpredictability of private domestic adoption have recently garnered significant media attention. While responses from members of the adoption community ha...
Introduced in November 2023, and endorsed by NCFA, the ADOPT Act would reform existing law and strengthen ethical practices to better protect everyone involved in a private, domestic infant adoptio...
The effects of adoption are widespread. Six in ten Americans have had personal experience with adoption, meaning they themselves, a family member, or a close friend was adopted, had adopted a child...
