VICTOR GROZA

Special Needs Adoption: Abused and Neglected Children

What you need to know about…Adoption
http://adoption.about.com
This website is a helpful listing that provides both information and links to outside resources for all domains associated with adoption. There is a glossary of terms and an A-Z index for navigating through the site. In particular, Adopting a Waiting Child, provides excellent question- and -answer information regarding adoption of children in the US public welfare system who need permanent homes.

Childwelfare.com
http://www.childwelfare.com
This is a comprehensive website that provides knowledge about child welfare in general including: abuse, advocacy, poverty, protective services, welfare, foster care and adoption. Educational links regarding adoption and the needs of children waiting for adoption are easily accessible. A broad list of resources for those considering adoption is provided. In addition, a US map allows for access of information on a state by state basis. Prospective parents are able to view photo-listings of children waiting to be adopted nationwide.

North American Counsel on Adoptable Children
http://www.nacac.org
This website includes information on how to adopt children in the North American public welfare systems. The site is unique in that it discusses issues such as trans-racial parenting and recruitment of families for special needs populations, both of which are associated in many cases of children being adopted from the welfare system.

Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption
http://www.davethomasfoundationforadoption.org
Founded by Dave Thomas, owner and creator of Wendys, this website is dedicated to finding permanency for children in the US public welfare systems. The foundation raises awareness of, and financial resources for, adoption causes around the country. This website offers "how to" information for prospective adoptive parents. The foundation offers free resources such as video tapes and a best-selling book for individuals and families thinking of adopting.

Adopt America Network
http://www.adoptamericanetwork.org
Adopt America Network is a private adoption exchange that assists in placing children with special needs, particularly those children who have been abused and neglected by their birth or other families. The network has placed children in 48 out of the 50 states. The website provides an overview on general adoption procedures, specific information about their trained field representatives, bios on children seeking permanent homes, and offers links to online applications.

Adoption Forums.com
http://www.adoptionforums.com/t97946.html
This website is designed as a forum for adoptive and foster parents to openly discuss issues pertaining to parenting adopted children. Topics range in dealing with attachment and loss problems, sibling rivalry, medial problems and simple stress reduction for new parents to name a few. Users may browse the site and chat boards as a guest, or may become a registered member in order to post messages. This site may serve as a form of emotional and peer support needed by those parenting abused/neglected children from the public welfare system.

Inner Circle Foster Care and Adoption Services
http://www.fosterfamily.org
This unique organization is dedicated to the some 900,000 children in this country who have been abused/neglected and need permanent, loving homes. Inner Circle is based in Los Angeles County, CA and currently takes care of a small portion of children ages infant -18. They are searching for foster and adoptive parents to reach out to the larger population of needy children in California. The website offers information regarding adoption and foster care through Inner Circle, information about developmental disabilities, success stories, parenting tips and classes, as well as links to outside resources.

National Adoption Information Clearinghouse
http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm
This is a very useful website that includes a comprehensive listing of various topics associated with adoption. In particular, this site provides detailed information about special needs adoption and guides parents through the process of adopting a child from the public system. The link to Mental Health Resources may be the most helpful in this aspect as it describes issues that are unique to special needs adoption.

Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services/ Adopt Ohio
http://jfs.ohio.gov/
This website is specific to Ohio and provides information on various public issues. The link to Adopt Ohio provides information specific to adopting children placed in the child welfare system who are awaiting a home. The site allows prospective adoptive parents to access information about Adopt Ohio, as well as bios and photos of children seeking permanency. The site offers an on-line interest form and contact information for further information on how to get started in the adoption process.

National Resource Center for Special Needs Adoption
http://www.nrcadoption.org
This is a site dedicated to providing education and support to those wishing to adopt a special needs child. The site is specific to this population and provides a broad range of links to similar sources.

Commonly asked questions in special needs adoption:

Q:   What is a special needs child as opposed to a "healthy" child?

A:  Special needs children include those that have physical, emotional, and/or learning delays or disabilities, siblings of two or more who will be placed together, older children, especially teens, those that have been abused in any way (physically, sexually, emotionally), drug or HIV exposed, and minority children. These categories of children are those that are the hardest to place and remain in the county and foster care systems for the longest amount of time. For more information on special needs children, visit http://www.adoptamericanetwork.org or http://www.nrcadoption.org.

Q:   Do I get to choose the child that I want to adopt?

A:  Prospective parents are able to search through hundreds of photos and profiles of adoptive children to see who needs a home. In the end, families may not select an adoptee according to race. Agencies attempt to "match" a child with the type of family that will be the most supportive to that child. To learn more about "matching" and the selection process, visit http://adoption.about.com.

Q:   Does my family receive financial support from the county or child welfare department if I adopt from them?

A:  Yes, families receive various amounts of financial assistance when working through the county system. Families also benefit from other supportive services such as counseling, parenting groups, respite care, and links to outside resources. For more information, please see http://jfs.ohio.gov/.

Q:   What kinds of problems will my child have?

A:  Like with any child, no one can predict how a child will react to a placement, or how they will adapt to a new home and family. Some issues that are commonly seen in children with abuse and neglect histories include: attachment issues, aggressive behaviors, hyperactivity, oppositional behaviors, poor school performance and internalizing behaviors (anxiety or depression). There is much evidence to support the fact that many children will be able to work through such problems with the proper support and therapeutic services so that they can resume a more healthy level of functioning. For more detailed information, visit http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm or http://www.childwelfare.com.

Q:   Will my child have contact with the family members that abused and/or neglected him or her?

A:  For children placed in the custody of the county, this means that parental rights have been terminated and those children are available for legal adoption. Before the county obtains permanent custody (PC), various measures are taken in attempt to reunite the child with his or her family. When this is not an option, the child is taken into PC and available for adoption. The birth parents no longer have any legal rights to the child. Many older children and those who have been in multiple placements are often given the choice of keeping in contact with kin or previous foster parents, if the adoptive family is willing. For more detailed information, visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/ or http://www.childwelfare.com.