The goal of this study is to investigate early childhood teachers' perspective of teaching foster and adopted children. The main purpose is to seek suggestions how teachers can nurture the development of foster and adopted children. A 6 question survey was sent to 44 teachers pursuing graduate studies in early childhood education. Of this 50%…

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) addresses issues pertaining to prevention of placement in the child welfare system, as well as family reunification, the specific provisions of ASFA that relate to the termination of parental rights and adoption are perhaps most central to the law's overarching purpose. This paper analyzes adoptions from…

Illustrates how family systems theory has influenced the adoption services for infants at a family services agency, Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (Michigan), and describes the evolving practice of open communication between biological families and adoptive families. (BB)

Michigan was the first state to apply the permanency planning philosophy to children in the mental health system who have developmental disabilities or severe emotional disorders. Permanency planning involves identifying strategies for supporting children within permanent family relationships. This report outlines how the permanency planning…

Reviews Michigan Kinship Project, a case management approach that is competency based and designed to assist child welfare staff members in working effectively with relatives as foster parents. Focuses on attention to culture, family participation and empowerment, systematic assessment, and individualized and comprehensive services. Provides case…

This book describes the establishment, organization, and policies of Spaulding for Children, a small, voluntary, specialized adoption program in Michigan that works at placing hard-to-place children who are legally free for adoption. The agency was created to supplement existing public and private child placement services. Topics covered include:…