Adoption Practice

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) governs foster care and adoption placements across the U.S. It is estimated that states explore ICPC placements for nearly 100,000 children each year, but persistent challenges remain in the implementation of the compact. In 2013, the American Public Human Services Association and its affiliate, the AAICPC… More

Learn about an innovative program currently operating in Missouri that has the potential to revolutionize mental health treatment for kids in the child welfare system who have suffered extreme trauma. Designed by an adoptive parent whose children were in residential care but not getting better, this program is based on her personal approach to “What I need… More

This informative webinar is designed for anyone parenting or providing services for LGBTQ children and youth in foster care, adoption, or relative care. Included is an overview of what we know about: LGBTQ youth in out of home care the impact of family rejection their struggle for inclusion and safety when in care lack of… More

In the late 1990s child welfare leaders began to challenge the belief that attaining permanent families for preteens and teens was an impossible goal, and model specialized youth permanency services were developed across the country. Sadly many of the projects fell into disuse as initial funding sunset. In many cases, counties and states failed to… More

NACAC frequently receives calls from adoptive parents about their adoption assistance payments. Usually these calls are about a payment that hasn’t been received, but sometimes they are asking about how payments can be made, especially via direct deposit. Below is the information we have for every state that has responded. Arizona The date the check… More

If you need support or have questions related to your adoption, you can connect with the organizations and individuals below in your state or province. The first listing is typically the local post-adoption service provider(s) and then, where we have them, you’ll find a NACAC volunteer who is willing to answer your questions. United States… More

Below are online training sessions NACAC has offered related to adoption practice. For more about educational opportunities, visit the Training section of our site. Training… More

Every youth in foster care needs and deserves a permanent, loving family. Despite the nation’s stated goal to achieve permanency for children, in 2015 more than 20,000 youth aged out of foster care, meaning they left the child welfare system without a permanent family. The number of youth who age out of foster care has… More

Young people in foster care and adoption have all experienced the loss of their first family and often many more challenges. Children in foster care have typically been abused and neglected and often have experienced complex or ongoing trauma. This trauma can result in lifelong challenges, and result in a higher likelihood of: physical, mental… More

Across the US and Canada, adoption agencies and their partners are coming up with innovative ways to find families for children in foster care. Below are specific articles about how to recruit families for children who are waiting. Most of the articles were published in Adoptalk, our quarterly newsletter, which is a benefit of NACAC… More

At NACAC, we believe that every child and youth needs and deserves a permanent, loving family. Sadly, each year more than 20,000 youth age out of foster care without being connected to a legally permanent family. The articles below are designed to help child welfare workers and administrators consider how to make permanency a reality… More

This NACAC brief explains the mental health needs of many children and youth adopted from care, explores successful post-adoption services programs, and recommends policy changes that will facilitate the expansion and replication of necessary services. July 2007 Click here to download a PDF… More

“You are never too old to be adopted,” said one young woman during an interview for a recently completed study on successful adolescent adoptions. “It´s the most important thing that happened to me,” said another adoptee. “I got a family and found love. I have everything one hopes for. I fit in a family.” These… More

Adoption disruptions and dissolutions* should be prevented through every service and support available. Innovative programs across the country are keeping adoptive families safely intact, and we know that, with increased commitment, even more families can be preserved. At the same time, however, we cannot ignore the devastating reality for adoptive families who break apart. Too… More

Richard Barth and other researchers report that the rate of adoption disruption* falls between 10 and 15 percent. Researchers also say that age at placement is the best predictor of disruption; the older the child is, the more likely it is the placement will disrupt. Given the severity of problems among children being adopted today… More

For many years, workers who placed older children for adoption believed that once the children and their families passed through an initial period of adjustment, problems would subside. As we now know, although a large majority of families are satisfied with their adoptions, many adopted children have chronic behavior problems, or have problems that intensify… More

At NACAC we know that being an adoption or foster care professional is difficult work. Our goal is to help professionals find the information they need to do they best they can to help children have permanent loving families. We encourage you to explore the various resources we have to help child welfare professionals do… More

 Weekend Miracles Los Angeles, now entering its second decade, offers a unique and proven approach to creating forever families and lasting connections for adolescents who are languishing in foster care in Los Angeles. Since the program’s official launch in 2006, Weekend Miracles has been a resounding success, having recruited adoptive families, legal guardians, and lasting… More

Visibility of the transgender community is steadily increasing due in large part to high-profile transgender people such as Caitlyn Jenner, Laverne Cox, and Janet Mock. These three women, by living openly, are helping to educate the public on what it means to be transgender, the experiences and challenges faced by trans people, and the work… More