INTERNET RESOURCE GUIDE

For Prospective Adoptive Families

Emily R. Czaplewski

Cardinal Stritch University

EN 229

April 13, 2018

INTRODUCTION

a. WHAT DOES THE GUIDE CONTAIN?...........................................................................2

b. WHO IS THE GUIDE FOR?...............................................................................................2

c. WHAT DOES THE GUIDE ASSUME USERS KNOW?..................................................2

d. HOW IS THE GUIDE ORGANIZED?.…………………………………………………..3

Section 1. WHAT IS ADOPTION

a. DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION FOR ADOPTION…………………………………...4

b. THE CATALOG OF U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS………………………….5

c. CHILD WELFARE INFORMATION GATEWAY………………………………….......6

Section 2. WHY ADOPTION

a. STATISTICAL ABSTRACT OF THE UNITED STATES……………………………...7

Section 3. WHERE TO FIND SUPPORT NETWORKS

a. ADOPTION.COM………………………………………………………………………...9

b. ADOPTIVE FAMILIES…………………………………………………………………10

Section 4. HOW TO BEGIN THE ADOPTION PROCESS

a. ADOPT US KIDS………………………………………………………….…………….12

b. NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION…………………………………….……….14

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Preface

What does this guide contain?

This guide contains a collection of resources to educate users on human adoption.

Although comprehensive in nature, this guide is meant to be used as a starting point rather than a
stand-alone handbook to adoption, providing an overview on elements in the adoption process.
Topics discussed include: what adoption is; why adoptive families are needed; where to find help
and support throughout the adoption process; and how to begin the adoption process.

Who is this guide for?

As a prospective adoptive family, researching adoption can be overwhelming, and

accessing the many available resources to learn about adoption can be challenging. This guide is
designed for families – specifically parents – who are considering adoption and are starting from
square one. Adoption may be a huge undertaking, but it is by no means impossible. A lack of
adoption education should not be an inhibitor for families, or for the children who desperately
need the love and support of family life. This guide offers methods to learn about different
aspects of adoption, and the adoption process, so that prospective adoptive families can hone in
on resources that will benefit them. The audience will generally be referred to as “prospective
adoptive families,” “(adoptive) families,” or “users” of the guide.

What does this guide assume users know?

This guide assumes that users will be able to navigate the sites provided, with directions
from the guide to assist with the finding of specific sources. It is for prospective adoptive
families who are starting with little-to-no prior knowledge of adoption, and possibly some
misconceptions surrounding the adoption process. Therefore, it is meant to answer preliminary
questions, and will provide a basic starting point so that families can access resources
specifically suited to their needs. This guide does not include all available resources, and should
not be considered a stand-alone tool in the adoption process. However, it offers users a wide
variety of sources to explore, and users should attain a better understanding of the adoption
process, and where they should turn for more information.

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How is this guide organized?

Users should begin by familiarizing themselves with the table of contents, which is found
on page 1. Basic information and an overview of adoption will be provided in the first section,
with more focused information following in chronological order. This will allow users to gain an
understanding of what adoption is (and is not) from reliable sources, before delving deeper into
information on specific types and methods of adoption, and where to find additional information
beyond the scope of this guide.

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Section 1. What is Adoption

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Organization Specializing in Foster Care Adoption

Location: https://davethomasfoundation.org/

Description:

This highly regarded source is noted for their work helping children in foster care get
placed for adoption, but they also provide useful information on all types of adoption.
From working with foster care adoption, they understand that many people are not
familiar with the adoption process. Because of this, they have a “frequently asked
questions” section of their site, free booklets about foster care adoption that can be
delivered by postal mail, and a free, downloadable guide to all types of adoption and the
adoption process. They also offer resources for companies who wish to provide benefits
for adoptive families in their employ.

Tips:

• Upon reaching the homepage, navigate to “Free Adoption Guide” found under the
“Learn” tab. This will provide pertinent information on all types of adoption and the
step-by-step process, which is an important starting point.
• Navigate to “Who We Are” found under the “Learn” tab. Scroll to the bottom third of
the page and explore the “Myths and Realities” interactive on adoption.
• Navigate to “FAQ” found under the “Learn” tab. This will expand upon information
from the free adoption guide, answering questions that may arise.
• Those interested in foster care adoption should navigate to “Wendy’s Wonderful
Kids” found under the “Adopt” tab. Scroll to the bottom third of the page and access
the interactive map to find a local recruiter.

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The Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
Government Database

Location: https://catalog.gpo.gov/F

Description:
The Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) provides access to federal
publications. This source may be useful to users because it can connect them with a variety of
information on adoption, including publications by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Child Welfare Information Gateway (CWIG). These publications offer information on
all types of adoption, and how to navigate the process at every stage. Users will find them
immensely helpful, as they provide easy-to-understand guidelines for the prospective adoptive
family, and more detailed information for those who are in the middle of the adoption process.
For the purpose of finding adoption resources, the CGP is best navigated by using the keyword
“adoption” in the basic search option.

One publication found on the CGP entitled “Stay Connected to Adoption Information”
provides a succinct overview on how to best use the CWIG. The publication informs users on
what services and tools are offered through the CWIG, and users may benefit from reading this
resource before moving on to the next section of this guide, which focuses on the CWIG website.

Tips:

• When navigating through the CGP, users should begin with one or two keywords and
view the results. If the results are too broad, adding one keyword at a time may be more
helpful than inputting a very specific set of terms.
• There are two search options: basic and advanced. The basic search is easier for users to
navigate quickly, but the advanced search will likely yield more specific results. To use
the advanced search, input the desired search terms into separate text boxes and select the
search location (keyword, subject, etc.) from the corresponding drop-down list.

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Child Welfare Information Gateway
Electronic Index

Location: https://www.childwelfare.gov/

Description:
This source offers information from the government on all matters pertaining to child
welfare, including adoption. For information on adoption, users should navigate to “Adoption,”
found under the “Topics” tab. The site is easy to navigate, and users can select the aspect of
adoption which most interests them to learn more. Topics covered include: adoption overview;
adoption language; adoption laws; adoption ethics; and, adoptive parent information.

For additional information in downloadable/printable PDF format, users should go to

“Publication Series” under the “Publications” tab. Once there, select “Factsheets for Families”
from the list to access a collection of user-friendly publications on many aspects of adoption.
Prospective adoptive families starting from square one may find “Adoption Options: How Do I
Start?” particularly helpful.

Tips:

• Users searching for very specific information should make use of the search option,
found on the upper righthand corner of the webpage and denoted by a pink magnifying
glass.
• Since this source exhibits the features of an electronic index, users may find it to be an
excellent starting point, as it references other respected adoption resources of many
forms.

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Section 2. Why Adoption

Statistical Abstract of the United States

U.S. Government Census Records

Location: https://census.gov/

Description:
The Statistical Abstract of the United States is a publication of the U.S. government,
providing data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other agencies and organizations for public use.
This source provides data on the population characteristics and housing arrangements of
children, including adopted children. Prospective adoptive families may be interested in viewing
data about how children come to be adopted, how many children were adopted in a given year,
or how many children were adopted in the families’ areas (be it county or state).

Many families shy away from the idea of adoption because it is not terribly mainstream.
However, the data from the Census Bureau clearly shows that adoption is not a rare occurrence
among Americans, and the other sources provided throughout this guide show that there is a
strong support network available to adoptive families. The census data also highlights the
pressing need for more adoptive families. As the Dave Thomas Foundation stated, almost
150,000 children are currently waiting to be adopted from the U.S. foster care system alone.
UNICEF reports that there are approximately 140 million orphans worldwide.1

The census records show that, in 2010, only 1,527,020 of all U.S. children under the age
of 18 were adopted. While this proves that adoption is not an isolated occurrence, it also shows
that there is a pressing need for more adoptive families. When this number is compared with the
numbers of children, stated above, who are in need of loving homes, the deficit becomes
staggering.

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Tips:

• To navigate the vast amounts of information on the Census Bureau website, users may
find the search tool exceedingly helpful. Located in the upper righthand corner of the
homepage, the search bar allows users to find data relevant to their topic.
• Information on adoption, as described above, can be found using the criteria “adoption
statistics.”

References:

1
https://www.unicef.org/media/media_45279.html

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Section 3. Where to Find Support Networks

Adoption.com
Website and Forum for Adoptive Families, Birth Parents, and Professionals

Location: https://adoption.com/

Description:
Adoption.com was founded in 1997 to provide an online community for all those
involved with adoption. Features of this source include a forum and discussion board, where
individuals seeking information about any aspect of the adoption process can consult and
connect with peers. This source also provides profiles of adoptees (those waiting to be adopted)
and helps adoptees reconnect with their birth parents, should they ever desire to learn about their
past.

Users interested in learning about adoption will find the “Adopt” tab at the top of the
screen helpful. The drop-down list includes information on how to afford adoption, how to find
local adoption agencies through an interactive map, and detailed information on how different
types of adoption work.

Tips:

• Users who are still unsure about whether to adopt may find the following sections,
accessed under the “Articles” tab at the top of the website, useful.
o The “Stories” section offers varying perspectives on how adoption affects
families.
o The “Adoption Guides,” “How to Adopt,” and “U.S. Adoption Laws” sections are
all good sources for learning about the technical side of adoption.
o The “Adoption Glossary” prepares users to talk about adoption by learning
specialized terms and their definitions.

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Adoptive Families

Professional Journal Publication and Network

Location: https://www.adoptivefamilies.com/

Description:

This source originated as a newsletter in 1968, transitioning to a digital magazine in

2014, at which point they created adoptivefamilies.com as an archive and online community to
continue their support of adoptive families. The information contained in this source is excellent,
being both respected and credible, but users should note that, as an e-publication, only select
content is available without a subscription. Non-subscribers may access the articles featured on
the top of the website’s homepage each month, which may help them decide whether to purchase
a subscription at $24.95/year.

Additionally, everyone may access the question-and-answer library, which contains

concerns experienced by families in every stage of the adoption process. These concerns are
addressed by knowledgeable professionals in the field, or by other adoptive families through the
Adoptive Families Circle. The Adoptive Families Circle is linked to adoptivefamilies.com, and is
a free online community with forums and opportunities to connect with other adoptive families.

Tips:

• Before subscribing, users should take advantage of the free content to make sure the
subscription will be worthwhile.
• Users who would like to learn about adoption from those with firsthand experience
should consider joining the Adoptive Families Circle, regardless of whether they
subscribe to adoptivefamilies.com. This online community is an excellent support
system.

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 • The tabs across the top center of the homepage are exceedingly helpful, as they lay out
information about the adoption process chronologically. Even though users may not be
able to access all of the content, the sections listed under each tab may provide guidance
on what information to search for from this or other sources.

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Section 4. How to Begin the Adoption Process

Adopt US Kids
Adoption Website and Searchable Photolist Database

Location: https://www.adoptuskids.org/?r=l

Description:
Adopt US Kids is a resource of the Adoption Exchange Association, an association of
adoption facilitators. Their slogan is, “you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.”
Adopt US Kids offers many resources and support systems to prospective adoptive families, but
their largest asset is their searchable database of US children who need to be adopted from foster
care. Users can enter criteria – how many children they are willing to adopt, an age-range, and
racial or gender preference – and search the databases to view photos and public profiles of the
children who are available for adoption.

All of the Adopt US Kids resources are free to use, but viewing information about
children beyond their public profiles requires having a registered account. Families must be
approved for foster care adoption by the agency that completed their home study and be actively
seeking a placement in order to register with Adopt US Kids. This provides a measure of privacy
for the children’s information, and also helps families proceed through the adoption process in
the correct order, decreasing their chances of being overwhelmed.

Tips:

• This source is specifically for adopting children from the foster care system, but users
who are not interested in foster care adoption may still benefit from its content, and are
encouraged to peruse it.
• The “Frequently Asked Questions” section, located under the “Overview” heading within
the “Adoption & Foster Care” tab, is an excellent resource for families who have not

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 fully decided on which form of adoption to pursue. This section provides in-depth
answers to the most pertinent questions surrounding foster card adoption, and it may help
to dispel any misconceptions or confusion that users have.
• Users interested in finding children available for adoption from foster care in their area
should navigate to the “State Photolists” section, located under the “Search for Children”
heading within the “Meet the Children” tab.

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National Council for Adoption
Adoption Advocacy Nonprofit Organization

Location: http://www.adoptioncouncil.org/

Description:
The National Council for Adoption provides a broad overview on many topics related to
adoption, including funding. Users can navigate to the “Financial Resources” section, located
under the “Resources” tab, to find information on tax benefits, grants, and loans. The “Adoption
Grants and Loans” portion of the “Financial Resources” section, found on the bottom third of the
page, may be a particularly helpful resource, as it points users towards other organizations that
offer funding options.
The National Council for Adoption’s blog, which can be found under the “Who We Are”
tab, provides a different style of information than other blogs previously discussed. This source
offers technical information on its blog, as opposed to the more personal, experiential
information found in other sources. This website also includes information on how to find an
adoption professional/agency to work with. Information can be found under the “Resources” tab.
While the listings offered are not exhaustive, they provide users with a solid starting point, and
ideas on what qualities to look for as they begin their adoption process.

Tips:
• For information on adoption policies and relevant issues, users may view or subscribe to
the Adoption Advocate newsletter at no cost. The publication is located under the
“Resources” tab, in the “Adoption Advocate” section.
• This site provides abstracts and links to other resources for adoptive families in the
“NCFA Resource Organizations” section, located under the “Resources” tab. These
sources are on a variety of topics, and will provide additional avenues for adoptive
families to explore.

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