Children who are adopted at an older age through foster care and those adopted from overseas orphanages are at high risk for behavioral and emotional distress. This important manual presents a structured, evidence-based protocol for providing mental health treatment to families adopting vulnerable children. Drawing on their extensive clinical…

A 1980 federal law made adopting and raising special needs children affordable even for persons with limited means. However, many prospective adopters never complete the adoption process because of red tape, regulations, and institutional lethargy; among the adults who complete a home study or placement, lack of support services and advocacy…

Addressed to practitioners working with adoptive families, this book examines the question: How do professionals help children and families make transracial adoptions and foster care placements work? The book describes specific ways to ensure that children develop positive racial and cultural identities and how professionals can better serve…

This manual was developed for use in foster parents' day-to-day life with the children in their care. It gives them practical information on topics like medical care, payments, and the role of the court, and also provides guidance on areas like welcoming a child, discipline, and parent visits. The manual emphasizes the role of foster parents in…

This executive summary provides a brief description of the Model Adoption Exchange Payment System (MAEPS), a unique payment system aimed at improving the delivery of adoption exchange services throughout the United States. Following a brief introductory overview, MAEPS is described in terms of (1) its six components (registration, listing,…

Based on concern about the lack of information on adopting toddlers, this book examines the special needs of adopted toddlers and their adoptive parents. Chapter 1, "Why Write a Book on Toddler Adoption?" details the lack of information on the difficulties of adopted toddlers in forming attachments and parents' child rearing…

This book examines the adoption process in Great Britain, recounting first-hand experiences to take the reader through each stage of the process from the adopter's point of view. The book also examines the success and failure of several types of adoption. The chapters are: (1) "You Want to Adopt"; (2) "First Meetings, First Months,…

This booklet describes aspects of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, a uniform law establishing orderly procedures for the interstate placement of children and fixing responsibilities for those involved in placing a child. The law has been enacted by almost all of the states and jurisdictions of the United States. Contents focus…

This document conveys mandatory policies that have their basis in Federal Law and/or program regulations. It also provides interpretations of Federal Statutes and program regulations initiated by inquiries from State Child Welfare agencies or Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Regional Offices. The manual replaces the Children's…

Written especially for grieving mothers whose babies have died, this booklet offers an overview of stages and experiences through which bereaved parents commonly pass. Specifically, the text is intended to give comfort to bereaved parents, offer insight into the grieving process, and provide thoughts on leave-taking ceremonies. The first section…

Designed to assist attorneys, social workers, and other interested parties, this manual describes work with child abuse and neglect cases in Texas. After a brief overview of the child abuse and neglect issue in that state, as well as an examination of the role of the Texas Department of Human Resources, the manual discusses suits affecting the…

Describes problems of children in adoptive care and the use of bibliotherapy by parents who adopt children. Includes a list of 20 books which relate to adoption and provides suggestions for follow-up activities. (RJC)

This matrix, which shows interconnecting conditions, results, and treatment modalities, can be used by child welfare workers to help them decide when the delivery of services to parents will or will not bring about reunification, and when to take other steps to permanent placement. (Author/GH)

This brief paper is intended, not to provide legal advice, but to alert foster parents to some of the key legal issues affecting their role in decision-making for the foster child. Contents discuss foster parents' access to adequate information concerning their foster children and their right to pursue grievances, resist agency decisions to remove…

The purpose of this guide is to assist child welfare program managers in the documentation of their program efforts by providing both a recommended process and format. Section I provides a general discussion of the documentation process as well as suggestions for how to document a program. Section II presents the recommended format to be used in…