Examines adoption issues including family member loss, infertility, transracial adoptions, special-needs adoptions, older child adoption, inherited traits, adoptive family, biological parents, and open adoption. Suggests specific therapeutic interventions including redefinition, use of paradox, family therapy approaches, group therapy, and…

Notes that professionals from all over the world have been assisting Romania since the fall of the Ceausescu dictatorship in December 1989. Describes some of the difficulties faced by children and families in Romania. Contends that problems faced by Romanian families are massive, and professionals planning to help these families must learn about…

This report contains the findings and recommendations of a task force established to develop a comprehensive statement regarding the confidentiality of adoption records and to define the scope of information (background and/or identifying) to be shared with birth parents prior to placement of a child for adoption, adoptive parents at the time of…

Discusses the unique challenges in sex education faced by adoptive families. Suggests that social workers can support parents by facilitating family communication on topics related to sex and identifying community resources that can be helpful. (JAC)

Families adopting older children are faced with three unique transitional tasks: boundary establishment, resolution of losses, and affirmation of roles. Describes these tasks, as well as the challenges to family development, and reframes stresses of adoptive families as normative to the transition process. Presents implications for practice.…

Notes that literature has been found to be creative tool for helping children cope with changes in their lives. Illustrates how bibliotherapy can be used to help adolescents cope with family breakdown, foster care, and adoption placement. Books are presented that can be useful in clinical practice. (Author/NB)

Contents of this keynote address provide current information about services offered by the Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF). In fiscal years 1984 and 1985, ACYF will continue with program initiatives to improve the quality and effectiveness of Head Start. In addition, ACYF has established a number of initiatives to help…

Examines phenomenon of unwed fathers seeking custody of offspring. Cites case studies illustrating varied motives of these fathers not necessarily in the child's best interests. Explores custody disputes with prospective adoptive parents and issues of parental and children's rights in terms of their implications for therapists and attorneys.…

Examines patterns in the international migration of children for adoption since World War II, with emphasis on those going to Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Relates findings to political and cultural factors. Observes that Latin America became a major source area for the United States in the 1970s, but that Asia remained…

This user's manual, designed to meet the needs of adoption exchange administrators and program managers for a formal tool to assist them in the overall management and operation of their program, presents the Model Adoption Exchange Payment System (MAEPS), which was developed to improve the delivery of adoption exchange services throughout the…

Unrooted children who have lost parents through divorce, separation, death, or abandonment need as a model an external psychological family in order to complete their developmental task of constructing an internalized triadic family image. (Author)

The Connecticut State Department of Children and Youth Services is a multi-service agency which assists children and youth through directly operated and funded services. The agency's services include child protection; foster care; adoptions; juvenile corrections and rehabilitation; and prevention and treatment of delinquency, child maltreatment,…

This report provides a comprehensive portrait of America's most vulnerable children and families, gathered as a quick reference to national and state data on the U.S. child welfare system. Data were derived from the Child Welfare League of America's 1996 State Survey of Child Welfare and from U.S. Government agencies and other national sources.…