Adoption Articles and Resources

Adopted Children and Their Roots , by Angela Watson :: Here are some fun ways to ensure that your adopted child’s culture is honored and respected in your home. more…

Adoption for LGBTs , by Deborah Wald, Esq. :: This article highlights some pertinent questions about adoption and also features a state-by-state run-down of adoption policies. more…

7 Ways to Afford the Cost of Adoption , by Carrie Craft, for About.com :: One of the major reasons people don’t pursue adoption is the cost of adoption, especially international adoption. Many every day people have added to their family through adoption without going flat broke. Here are a few ways to help with adoption costs. more…

Interviewing an Adoption Professional , by Mardie Caldwell, COAP, for About.com :: Regardless of the type of professional you are hiring, there are some essential questions to ask before committing to anyone. Most of these questions apply to both the hiring of attorneys, adoption facilitators, social workers and private agencies. more…

Adopted Children and Their Native Roots , by Katharine Swan :: There are far more ethnic children in foster care in the United States than there are ethnic parents looking to adopt. As a result, many adoptive families are ethnically diverse. more…

Adoption Options for the LGBT Community , by Hilary Neiman, Esq. :: Although the adoption climate is not favorable for international adoptions, the domestic situation is still a great option for the LGBT community. In fact, there is a huge demand for parents and singles to adopt in the US. Families can choose foster care adoption, domestic independent adoption, or domestic agency adoption. Read this great article for more information on adoption choices and challenges. more…

Tips for Gay and Lesbian Adoptive Parents: Adopting Across Racial Lines , by Katharine Swan :: While you can’t change your skin color and your cultural experiences in order to be a better parent, there are many ways to give an interracially adopted child a well-rounded upbringing – if you are willing to put in the time and effort. The rising number of trans-racial adoptions makes it especially important for gay and lesbian parents to consider the potential impact on their lives before trying to adopt. Just as gay and lesbian parents can successfully raise happy, healthy straight children, so too can trans-racial adoptions produce happy, healthy, and well-adapted children. Read this article on ways to connect with and support your adopted child of color. more…

The Adoption Home Study Process, reprinted from The Child Welfare Information Gateway :: Although the adoption home study process may seem invasive or lengthy, it is conducted to help you decide whether adoption is right for your family, prepare your family for adoption, and help your family determine which type of child you could best parent. This is a lengthy, but very valuable, article for those considering adoption. more…

New Numbers Released On Gay And Lesbian Adoption/Foster Care, reprinted from FamilyPride.org :: Facts and figures often change when it comes to gay and lesbian parenting. Adoption and foster care are areas where this is particularly true. The Williams and Urban Institutes recently released an updated study on these issues, combining data from a number of reliable sources and taking a fresh look at things. This report is full of interesting findings, some of which are excerpted in the article. more…

Stress-free Home Study: Everything You Need To Know, by Katharine Swan :: No one likes being under the microscope, and because most people at this stage have usually staked a lot on being able to adopt a child, the tendency is to feel like you’re on trial. Don’t worry, though… Read here to find out the basics on what a home study is and what to expect. more…

Adoption Tax Credit: Where Do We Go From Here?, by Katharine Swan :: Adoption can be expensive, especially if you choose (as many do) to adopt an infant through a private agency. To offset these expenses, the IRS offers an adoption tax credit, which allows you to reduce your taxes for the year by the amount you spent on adopting your child. Read this piece to find out how this impacts YOUR bottom line if you’re adopting. more…

Adoption Etiquette: Minding Your Manner Toward Adopted Children and Their Families, by Katharine Swan :: Although minding your manners toward adoptive children and their families may sound like a lot of politically correct mumbo-jumbo, the truth is that adoptive children deserve the same respect for their feelings as anyone else does. more…

Second Parent Adoptions (and Other Alternatives), by Katharine Swan :: In order for both parents in a gay or lesbian relationship to enjoy the full rights of parenthood, extra precautions must be taken. The solution to the parenting problem can be reached in a number of different ways, such as gay marriage or civil unions, second parent adoptions, and a few other alternatives. more…

Agencies Broaden Access, by Maxine L. Seiler, LCSW :: Many gay and lesbian couples experience the heartbreak of discrimination while trying to create their family. Now, because of factors such as broadening of rights for gay and lesbian families as well as the internet which increases communications among people of other states and regions, people are learning that adoption IS an option for the gay and lesbian community. more…

Guide To International Adoption, by Katharine Swan :: As adoption has become more and more socially acceptable in recent decades, the demand on adoption agencies has grown, making the wait to get a child longer and the likelihood of getting an infant smaller. As a result, there has been a growing trend toward international adoption: in 2003, 21,616 of U.S. adoptions were international. more…

Choosing An Adoption Agency, by Katharine Swan :: Choosing an adoption agency is one of the most important parts of adopting a child. The agency you choose has a great deal of control over the adoption process, even to the point of refusing to place a child with a couple or individual. For gay or lesbian adoptive families, the choice is even more critical, as there are still many prejudiced adoption agencies in operation. more…

All About About Adoption: Open, Closed & Everything In Between, by Katharine Swan :: There are many options to consider, once you and your partner – or perhaps you alone – have made the decision to adopt. Terms like “closed adoption,” “open adoption,” and “semi-open adoption” may make your head spin as they are bandied about by friends, co-workers, and adoption agencies. more…

Other Considerations About Adoption, by Katharine Swan :: Choosing which kind of adoption you want to pursue – closed, open, or semi-open – is only the beginning. There is much to consider and accomplish between the time that you decide to adopt and the time that you actually do adopt. more…

Adoption Choices, by Judith E. Beckett, R.N. :: Recent changes in state laws have made adoption a realistic choice for lesbians, gay men, and transgender people who desire to start a family or add to the one they have. Those of us who choose adoption as our path will have many other choices to make along the way. more…

Selecting A Birth Mother, by Katharine Swan :: A basic primer on the “ins and outs” of adoption and what you might expect in the process. more »

All About Second Parent Adoptions, by Katharine Swan :: If you are adopting a child with your partner, you may find yourselves overwhelmed by all the terms and legal issues as well as the import of the decisions you have to make. Read this article to find out more about this very important legal tool for LGBT families. more »

Dictionary of Adoption Terms :: a helpful list of adoption-related terminology

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