Describes the selection of outcome measures used by the Maudsley Family Research team to assess outcomes--across a broad range of developmental dimensions--of permanent placement for children and adolescents. Developed a package of instruments to examine child emotional, cognitive, social, and academic development; attachment; and self-esteem, for…

Describes a parent training program at an adoption agency that places children transracially; an instrument designed to measure parents' perception of the importance of racial awareness; and use of this instrument to evaluate effectiveness of an agency-based training session. Notes findings that training can have a positive effect on transracial…

Claims that although agencies specializing in adoption of minority children have been successful in achieving same-race adoptive placements for African American children, funding and support for some of these initiatives have been withheld. Describes successful placement practices used by a private agency in California and a public agency in…

Describes the Adolescent Family Life Program, which develops and tests approaches that encourage adoption as an alternative to abortion for pregnant teens. Notes that both abortion and adoption rates have dropped since the program was instituted in 1981; maintains that additional research is needed into factors associated with adoption. Discusses…

Describes the establishment, promotion, and five-year progress of a postadoption service in Hampshire, England. (SW)

Explores the impact of Minnesota's Open Birth Record Law. Studied adoptees in search of information and contact with their birth parents. Caseworkers were relatively successful in the searches, but personal contacts were achieved for only 35 percent of the adoptees. Supports the value of the Open Birth Record law. (Author)

Highlights a failure on the part of social services to respond to the current needs of the child welfare system. Strongly advocates a commitment to concurrent planning, defined here as the process of working toward family reunification while at the same time establishing an alternative plan, usually in the form of permanency with a relative or…

This practicum was designed to increase the ability of human services professionals to provide knowledgeable and effective direction and support for adoptive parents of children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. A 1-day training program and materials were developed to reach the goal, and two social workers were trained to present the…