Adoption

In this chapter you will find information from the Group.  Also, there is a list of compiled publications that are online for free through Child  Welfare Information Gateway.

Unfortunately, It has been found, over and over, that CPS makes false accusations of child abuse and removes children back into the System, just before adoption takes place by the foster parents.  This is a Concern for Reform.  Please see:  http://www.rscraps.com/NFPCAR  (our Group’s website) for more details and what is being done about it.

Please refer to eBook
 Standing InThe Shadow of the Law
 by Marilyn Harrison
http://rscraps.com/NFPCAR/Shadow/index.htm

This free, online book easily explains and puts into perspective, what is really happening on many related subjects regarding foster parenting, adoption and the law.

Note:  A “Post Adoption Agreement” or “Open Adoption Agreement” is actually prepared, signed & agreed to between the adoptive parents and the birth parents “before” the finalization of adoption.  It is called a post-adoption agreement because it goes into affect after the finalization of adoption.

Group Information on Adoption

Practical Guide to Adoption Subsidy for Adoptive Families and Advocates
by Timothy P. O'Hanlon, Ph.D.
Rev. ed. 2007
 Electronic book [RTF format]; 193 pages.  Online ebook $20.00
 Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
http://www.fpsol. com/adoption/ guidebook. html

Tim O'Hanlon's website which offers Contact along
with an option for his  ]article feeds...
http://www.suite101 .com/profile. cfm/tohanlon
 

Joy, from our Group fosterparentallegations

http://www.yahoogroups.com, writes:

Tim O’Hanlon is an Ohio subsidies advocate, who did write a book. He wasn't real encouraging or helpful when I contacted several years back to help me. I know a bit about subsidies myself if I can help. I, with the help of other subsidy guru's, have attained subsidies for 2 of my privately adopted children and know the struggles that come with it. One of our children's comes from OH which isn't great, and the other from CA which is better. Anyhow, I know a thing or 2 about subsidies if anyone needs any help, I can try and at least share what I did. I have helped others. My kids were never in county/state care, but would have been.  Privately adopted children can and do get Title IV-E, but many agencies will tell you they can't. We're proof they're wrong. They met the criteria for Title IV-E, which is federal not state, and we got it...had to struggle a little but was worth it in the long run. Anyhow, if someone needs a hand, I'll try. Take care and God bless, Joy from OH     just put Urgent Joy, SUbsidy help so I don't delete from so many emails. Thanks

Adoptions Changes Sought
http://www.topix. net/content/ kri/2007/ 12/adoptions- changes-sought

The following are publications compiled on

Adoption from Child Welfare Information Gateway

http://www.childwelfare.gov/

Consent to Adoption

Reviews State laws that specify the persons who must consent to a child's adoption, time frames for consent, and guidelines for revocation of consent.

Consent to Adoption: Summary of State Laws

Reviews State laws that specify the persons who must consent to a child's adoption, timeframes for consent, and guidelines for revocation of consent. Summaries of laws for all States and US territories are included.

Costs of Adopting

This factsheet provides cost estimates for domestic and intercountry adoptions. Agency fees, legal fees, home study expenses, and foreign country expenses are considered. The factsheet also includes information about adoption benefits, such as Federal tax credits, state tax credits, subsidies, and adoption loans and grants. A brief list of additional resources is provided.

Court Hearings for the Permanent Placement of Children

Court hearings are used to review the status and determine the permanent placement of children who have been placed in out-of-home care, including foster care. The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997 (P.L. 105-89) amended title IV-E of the Social Security Act in an effort to provide added safety and permanency for children in foster placement. ASFA placed an emphasis on expediting and improving planning and decision-making for the permanent placement of children in the child welfare system.

Court Hearings for the Permanent Placement of Children: Summary of State Laws

Court hearings are used to review the status and determine the permanent placement of children who have been placed in out-of-home care, including foster care. The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997 (P.L. 105-89) amended title IV-E of the Social Security Act in an effort to provide added safety and permanency for children in foster placement. ASFA placed an emphasis on expediting and improving planning and decision-making for the permanent placement of children in the child welfare system. ASFA (42 U.S.C. 675(5)(B)) requires that the status of each child in foster care be reviewed at least once every ...

Court Jurisdiction and Venue for Adoption Petitions

Provides the laws that specify the appropriate State courts, by type and location, for handling adoption petitions.

Court Jurisdiction and Venue for Adoption Petitions: Summary of State Laws

Provides the laws that specify the appropriate State courts, by type and location, for handling adoption petitions. Summaries of laws for all States and US territories are included.

Criminal Background Checks for Prospective Adoptive and Foster Parents

All States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico require, in statute or regulation, background investigations of prospective adoptive and foster parents and all adults residing in prospective adoptive and foster households. Current through August 2006, this publication provides general information about States' requirements for these background checks. It also discusses crimes which may prevent individuals from being approved as a foster or adoptive parent in a State. This product is currently being updated. Check back in August 2007 for the latest information about how States address this issue in statute.

Criminal Background Checks for Prospective Adoptive and Foster Parents: Summary of State Laws

All States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico require, in statute or regulation, background investigations of prospective adoptive and foster parents and all adults residing in prospective adoptive and foster households. Current through August 2006, this publication provides general information and summaries of State law and policy (where available) regarding States? requirements for these background checks. It also discusses crimes which may prevent individuals from being approved as a foster or adoptive parent in a State. This product is currently being updated. Check back in August 2007 for the latest information about how States address this issue in ...

Employer-Provided Adoption Benefits

This fact sheet explains the types of employee and tax benefits that are available to adoptive parents, from financial assistance and parental leave to tax credits for adoption expenses. Eligibility for such benefits is briefly discussed, and resources about employers offering adoption benefits are provided.

Explaining Adoption to Your Children, Family, and Friends

This fact sheet provides background information about adoption and offers tips for discussing the topic with children, family members, and friends. Emphasis is placed on sensitivity, open communication, and positive adoption language. A brief list of resources for adoptive families is included.

Federal Title IV-E and State Adoption Assistance

Children with special needs may qualify for adoption assistance (also called "adoption subsidy") to help their adoptive families defray expenses for the child's ongoing therapies or treatment. There are two major funding sources for adoption assistance: the Federal title IV-E program under the Social Security Act and State programs, which vary from State to State. Current through June 2004, this publication provides general information on adoption assistance, including eligibility, limitations, termination, and modification. This product is currently being updated. Check back in July 2007 for the latest information about how States address this issue in statute.

Federal Title IV-E and State Adoption Assistance: Summary of State Laws

Children with special needs may qualify for adoption assistance (also called "adoption subsidy") to help their adoptive families defray expenses for the child's ongoing therapies or treatment. There are two major funding sources for adoption assistance: the Federal title IV-E program under the Social Security Act and State programs, which vary from State to State. Current through June 2004, this publication provides general information and summaries of State laws on adoption assistance, including eligibility, limitations, termination, and modification. This product is currently being updated. Check back in July 2007 for the latest information about how States address this issue in ...

Foster Parent Adoption

This paper discusses issues related to the increasing importance of foster parents as permanency resources for children in foster care. In order to facilitate adoptions by foster parents, professionals should be knowledgeable about the benefits, costs, and practice issues surrounding foster parent adoption. Practice issues include assessment, adoption preparation and postadoption support, and facilitating ongoing connections with birth families.

Foster Parents Considering Adoption

This factsheet is written for foster parents who are considering adopting a child in their care. It provides information on the differences between foster care and adoption, and explores some of the things for foster parents to consider when making the decision about whether to adopt a child in their care. Additional topics discussed include: trends in foster parent adoption, benefits of foster parent adoption for all involved, characteristics of foster families who successfully adopt children in their care, and characteristics of foster families whose adoptions failed. Resources are provided.

This collection of materials provides an overview of the costs involved in the adoption process as well as sources of financial assistance. The papers address the basic costs of adopting, adoption assistance for children adopted from foster care, employer-provided adoption benefits, and ways to make adoption more affordable.

Funding Resources for Adoption Services

This resource listing provides information about federal and private agencies that offer financial assistance and information for adoption services. Each entry includes contact information and a description of the types of support it provides.

Getting Started: Adoption General Information Packet 1

This collection of factsheets published by the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse provides an overview of the adoption process. The papers address the steps involved in agency and independent adoptions, the home study process, and legal aspects of adoptions.

Helping Your Foster Child Transition to Your Adopted Child

There are a number of ways to help foster children make the emotional transition from being "a ward of the State or the Court" to being "a son or daughter" of foster/adoptive parents. This fact sheet describes specific things families can say and do to help foster children transition, including: talking with children about the changes, engaging in activities to help children understand their own history and background and the reasons why they cannot live with their birth family, helping children adjust to these losses, and helping children transfer their attachments to the foster/adoptive family. Additionally, families will need to ...

How Many Children Were Adopted in 2000 and 2001?

The purpose of this report is to estimate the number of children adopted in each of the States for 2000 and 2001 and to use these numbers to estimate the composition and trends of all adoptions in the United States. Key findings, presented in How Many Children Were Adopted in 2000 and 2001?-Highlights (http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/s_adoptedhighlights.cfm), include: (1) In 2000 and 2001, about 127,000 children were adopted annually in the United States; (2) Public agency and intercountry adoptions account for more than half of alladoptions; (3) Adoptions through publicly funded child welfare agencies accounted for two-fifths of all adoptions; (4) Intercountry adoptions ...

How Many Children Were Adopted in 2000 and 2001? -- Highlights

This factsheet presents highlights from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse's full report on How Many Children Were Adopted in 2000 and 2001? The purpose of this report is to estimate the number of children adopted in each of the States for 2000 and 2001 and to use these numbers to estimate the composition and trends of all adoptions in the United States. Key findings are summarized. 2 references.

How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option

This booklet is written for people who would like to consider adoption, but are concerned that the process is beyond their means. It is also useful for those families who may not have thought about some of the financial aspects of adoption. The work reviews expenses common to most adoptions, as well as those that are unique to the adoption of waiting children, independent adoptions, and intercountry adoptions. The booklet offers suggestions for obtaining financial assistance and tax breaks available to adoptive parents, exploring 6 common myths about adoption. A summary checklist is provided for adoptive parents. A resource list ...

Impact of Adoption on Adopted Persons

As discussion of the adoption process becomes more open and accepted in American society, and as more Americans have experience with adoption, there is also more attention focused on those involved in adoption -- the adopted person, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents (often referred to as the adoption triad or, more recently, the adoption constellation). People who have experienced adoption firsthand are coming forward to talk or write about their experiences, and researchers are conducting scientific studies to find out about the impact of adoption on all members of the adoption triad. This factsheet examines the impact of ...

Impact of Adoption on Birth Parents

This factsheet discusses some of the emotional issues that parents face after making the decision to place an infant for adoption, in surrendering the child, and in handling the feelings that often persist afterwards. In addition, it addresses some of the emotional issues of parents whose children are permanently removed from them and whose parental rights are terminated. This factsheet may be a helpful resource for birth parents, as well as family members, friends, and others who want to support birth parents. It may also provide some insight to adopted persons and adoptive parents who want to understand the struggles ...

Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad

Intercountry adoptions may be finalized abroad or domestically. Most State statutes give full effect and recognition to intercountry adoptions finalized abroad. Full effect of a foreign adoption decree means that adoptive parents and adopted children have the same rights and obligations as they would have if a State court had issued the adoption decree. Recognition of a foreign adoption decree means that the decree is just as valid and binding as a decree issued by a State court. Additionally, most State statutes provide for validation of the foreign adoption or readoption of the child under State law and establish application ...

Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad: Summary of State Laws

Intercountry adoptions may be finalized abroad or domestically. Most State statutes give full effect and recognition to intercountry adoptions finalized abroad. Full effect of a foreign adoption decree means that adoptive parents and adopted children have the same rights and obligations as they would have if a State court had issued the adoption decree. Recognition of a foreign adoption decree means that the decree is just as valid and binding as a decree issued by a State court. Additionally, most State statutes provide for validation of the foreign adoption or readoption of the child under State law and establish application ...

Intestate Inheritance Rights for Adopted Children

Leaving a will is the best way to ensure heirs or descendants may inherit from your estate. Issues of property distribution may arise when a birth parent or adoptive parent dies without making a valid will or without naming an heir to particular property (referred to as "intestacy"). In these cases, State law determines who may inherit from whom. Laws in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands specify an adopted child?s rights of inheritance from and through the adoptive and birth parents. Current through March 2006.

Intestate Inheritance Rights for Adopted Children: Summary of State Laws

Leaving a will is the best way to ensure heirs or descendants may inherit from your estate. Issues of property distribution may arise when a birth parent or adoptive parent dies without making a valid will or without naming an heir to particular property (referred to as "intestacy"). In these cases, State law determines who may inherit from whom. Laws in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands specify an adopted child?s rights of inheritance from and through the adoptive and birth parents. Current through March 2006, ...

Military Families and Adoption

Common questions about adoption of children by military personnel and their families are addressed in this factsheet. Topics include: resources for information about state laws, what to expect during the home study and the impact of deployment on the process, leave time, and cost. Postadoption services and medical benefits for adopted children also are discussed.

Military Families and Adoption