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
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
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
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
Download a more detailed fact sheet about Facebook support groups. NACAC’s Community Champions Network is also available to help you create online support for adoptive parents. For more information, email Christina Romo at christinaromo@nacac.org Around the country today, many adoption organizations are using private Facebook groups as a flexible, accessible way to enable adoptive parents… More
“Part of the adoption process should be to help adoptive parents and children connect with other adoptive families. I don’t go to the agencies when I need answers. I go to other adoptive families and find out how they handled the situation.” ~ adoptive parent In September 2010, NACAC began surveying adoptive families in the… More
This NACAC manual is intended to help parents and family advocates learn how to set up parent-to-parent networks to provide post-adoption support in their own communities. The document provides information on six model peer support programs and explores in detail NACAC’s former MN ASAP parent support network. Click here to download PDF… More