Describes a special program for older children entering residential treatment facilities for whom adoption is a goal. The program offers a continuum of care which incorporates the strengths of group living, therapy, and adoption preparation and placement. (HTH)

Describes the conceptualization and development of a multiage bookwriting group entitled the Saturday Club for Adopted Kids. Describes the benefits of offering this project-oriented group in which adoptees can tell their stories and share their experiences in an environment that supports their recovery from early trauma. Notes adoptive parents'…

Reports results of an analysis of differences in functioning in families able to sustain special needs adoption placements and families in which placements were disrupted. The father was found to play the pivotal role in maintaining placements. Active involvement in parenting and nurturance and support of mother helped sustain placements.…

Examines the literature about people who choose to become single adoptive parents. Reviews the demographic and personal characteristics of single parents who adopt, and summarizes the experiences of single parents with the children they adopt. Calls for further research on single parents who adopt special needs children. (GH)

This article presents findings from a survey mailed to caseworkers, who answered questions about special needs, independent living skills, educational attainment, and services for 416 randomly selected foster youth in Illinois. A third of the adolescents had a mental health disorder, developmental disability, or other special need that their…

Examined stress factors affecting 4- to 18-year-old Central American refugee children living in Los Angeles. Factors included children's witnessing of war violence; children's separation from their caregiver; and abuse and family problems. Found that the incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder increased with a combination of stressors. (SM)

Introduces special journal issue and highlights federal initiatives that have increased attention on adoption as a service for children in out-of-home care who cannot or will not be returned home. Notes several factors underpinning legislation, including growth in number of children who need adoption planning and services; and low rates of…

A pilot project of subsidized family day care, designed for low-income working mothers and aimed at fostering a child's developmental needs, turned out to be a comprehensive service that also altered attitudes of middle-class volunteers. (Editor)

This study used mailed questionnaires to obtain 66 foster parents' views on the supports needed to maintain their caring role. An overarching finding was the need for respect and recognition, manifested in many ways, which appeared to be in short supply. The presence of several ambiguities in the relationships between agency, children in care, and…

Compared the demographic characteristics of and the special education services received by Illinois children who are in both foster care and special education programs, with those of children in only one of these systems. Presents information on the handicaps of foster children served by the special education system. (SM)

Details study of adolescents in York County, Pennsylvania, to determine processes by which maltreated children develop adaptive personalities despite aversive family experiences. Discusses five themes that provide cues to behavior in new environments viewed as unsafe by the child: loyalty to parents, normalizing the abusive environment,…

Notes that attachment behavior in infants is a facet of normal child development, and that children with attachment problems require special attention during and after the adoption process. Presents actions needed to increase the probability that such children can be successfully adopted, detailed attachment patterns, and parenting strategies and…

Summarizes the dialogue and issues of a joint conference on foster children attended by foster children 5-20 years old. The group explored the children's thoughts and feelings about foster care. A subsequent meeting attended by foster parents and caseworkers is also discussed. (RWB)

Introduces a project undertaken to examine the medical/health, social services, and legal needs of African American children who have experienced or will experience the death of one or both parents as a result of HIV/AIDS. Presents the preliminary findings, and claims that services have expanded but much remains to be accomplished to achieve…

Examines Progressive Life Center's (PLC) Therapeutic Foster Care program and its incorporation of NTU psychotherapy into its program model. Describes how PLC strives to improve the delivery of mental health services through culturally competent therapeutic techniques for African Americans, including seriously emotionally disturbed children. (MOK)