World Wide Wednesday – February 17, 2016

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

• Understanding the Costs of Adoption
  For many families, the financial aspect of preparation is the most daunting. Adoption often comes at a significant cost. Prospective parents field questions from family and friends who wonder “Why is adoption so expensive?”

• Preparing for your taxes
  Information for foster, adoptive, and kinship families
• The State of Grandfamilies in America
  This report from Generations United identifies key state laws and policies specifically designed to address barriers and better support grandparents and other relatives raising children.
• International Adoption Myths

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

World Wide Wednesday – February 10, 2016

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

• The Reality of Child Sex Trafficking and Foster Children

• An Online Space for Youth in Foster Care
  The Think of Us Storyboard Project encourages youth to share their stories through written formats and visual media, such as video. The program also includes workshops and coaching to show youth how to effectively tell their stories, as well as a school-to-work curriculum that helps youth develop and strengthen their interview skills.
• Who, or What, Is In the Best Interest of This Foster Child?
  “After more than eight months in our care, BlueJay’s future is starting to sharpen slightly into focus. Or rather, the number of possible futures are narrowing down.”
• Black Goes with Everything: On White Parents Adopting Black Children
  “The mindset that this black child is no different from any other child is a naiveté the adoptive parent cannot afford, and for which the adopted child will pay.”
  

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

World Wide Wednesday – February 3, 2016

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

• 20 Questions Kids Ask about Adoption
  Your child has questions about babies, birth mothers, and the way he joined your family. Now you have the answers.
• What Goes Through Your Mind: On Nice Parties and Casual Racism

• When Children Deny Their Heritage
  Keep your child’s connection to their ethnic heritage strong, even when they try to push it away.
• Adopting Internationally: The Basics
  Answers to the most common questions about international adoption.

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

World Wide Wednesday – January 27, 2016

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

• Raising a Child of Color in America – While White
  Our country is far from a “post-racial” society, as this last year has demonstrated. How can you ensure that your child will grow up feeling safe, secure in his identity, and close to your family? Commit to calling out racism and fighting injustice wherever you see it. 
• Celebrating Diversity in Your Family
  Two white girls get black dolls for Christmas and what happens next is not at all shocking
• 5 Misconceptions about Foster Adoptions that May be Holding You Back

• 10 Reasons to Foster a Teen in Foster Care

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

World Wide Wednesday – January 20, 2016

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

• The January edition of Adoption Advocate is always dedicated to presenting NCFA’s policy priorities for the coming year and related legislation. NCFA rarely endorses specific legislation, but instead prioritizes educating key legislators and policymakers on the policies and practices that will provide essential services and the best possible support for children outside permanent family care, adopted individuals, birth parents, and adoptive families. As we outline our priorities in this article, we will also take the opportunity to mention current pending legislation related to those priorities.
• How to Adopt from Foster Care
  Every one of the 107,918 children currently waiting in U.S. foster care deserves a stable, loving, permanent home. What about yours?
• Facts about adopting an older child (above the age of three)

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

World Wide Wednesday – January 13, 2016

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

•  10 Things Young People Want You to Know: Child welfare professionals work for—and on behalf of—young people who often feel ignored. This reality makes it all the more important that youth feel like their opinion matters and that they are a part of choosing their family.

  The National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (no longer in operation) and the Virginia Department of Social Services combined efforts to publish a document titled, “Ten Things that Youth Want Child Welfare Professionals to Know: Engaging Youth in Foster Care” (PDF – 185 KB). These tips came from youth who had been adopted and youth still in foster care who shared their experiences and advice. The tips touch on youth’s requests that workers listen to their opinion, involve them in creating their permanency plan, and build trust with them.

  The common theme is that youth desire to be heard and involved in their own permanency.

• Answering Relatives’ Tricky Questions about Adoption: When a family member asks a rude question about adoption or birth mothers, you can’t use a snappy comeback. Here’s how to educate and maintain privacy.
• Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma: Children who have experienced traumatic events need to feel safe and loved. All parents want to provide this kind of nurturing home for their children. However, when parents do not have an understanding of the effects of trauma, they may misinterpret their child’s behavior and end up feeling frustrated or resentful. Their attempts to address troubling behavior may be ineffective or, in some cases, even harmful.

  This factsheet discusses the nature of trauma, its effects on children and youth, and ways to help your child. By increasing your understanding of trauma, you can help support your child’s healing, your relationship with him or her, and your family as a whole.

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

World Wide Wednesday – January 6, 2016

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

•  The ‘Flip The Script: Adult Adoptee Anthology’ has been released! The book is a diverse compilation of literature and art from adopted persons around the world.
• Four Critical Elements of Connection: All learning begins with connection! Connections on the outside (with other people) actually create and strengthen neural connections within the brain. Eye contact, presence, touch and a playful setting are the four core components required to truly connect with others. Learn how to provide all four essential elements (and why) with this helpful guide.

• Adoption Disruption: The Elephant in the Room
  Disruption.  I’ve always hated that word when referring to adoption. A movie might be disrupted by a noisy patron; a bus service line might be disrupted by a mechanical failure; sleep might be disrupted by a thunderstorm.  But to ‘disrupt’ an adoption signifies something much greater.
• In 2016, America could finally have clear, nationwide information about the success rate of adoptions from foster care. But will it tell the whole story?

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

World Wide Wednesday – December 30, 2015

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

• China’s New Two Child Policy – Will it impact intercountry adoption?
• Recorded Webinar: We Never Outgrow the Need for Family
  This webinar from the Child Welfare Information Gateway highlighted the adoption story of Mary Lee Esq who inspired the creation of the Fostering Adoption to Further Student Achievement Act. It also showcased resources and tools for recruiting families for older youth, strategies to overcome common barriers to adoption, and examples of how to help older youth be open to the idea of being adopted.
• Judge’s Rare Public Plea Finds Adoptive Family for Teen

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

World Wide Wednesday – December 23, 2015

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

• How heroin is hitting the foster care system
  The increasing pressure rising heroin use is putting on child welfare systems—and the ways that several states are tackling it by expanding addiction services—are the topics of this Pew Charitable Trusts Stateline article. Read the article.

• “Seven Ways Parents Can Help 13-Year-Olds Start Their Social Media Lives Right”
  This New York Times Motherlode column discusses a recent movie and study about teens’ use of social media. Included in the findings: “Children who felt like their parents were monitoring their activity online were noticeably less distressed by online conflict.” Read the article on the NYT website.

• The Foster Care Adoption Process: The foster care adoption process can be difficult for parents to understand. Two legal experts break it down, step-by-step, to help you figure out if fost/adopt is right for your family.
• Adoption Photo Album – 2015 Holiday Photo Contest
  We want to see your best seasonal shots! Please share photos of your kids or family celebrating the holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, including the photo you used on this year’s holiday card.

  This contest opens Monday, November 9, 2015 at 9 am ET and closes Monday, January 4, 2016 at 11:59 pm ET. One winner and three runners up will have their photos featured in e-newsletters and online.

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.

World Wide Wednesday – December 16, 2015

It’s World Wide Wednesday! Here’s what’s news in the world of foster care and adoption around the web:

• “The Love That Stayed” 
  The author fostered—and fell in love with—a little boy who was reunited with his birth family. Thirteen years later, she received an email that would turn her world upside down.
• Part of bringing home a child from an institution or out-of-family care involves careful preparation.  When your new arrival has medical needs, the time to plan is before you travel!

  This week’s feature article, Top 5 Ways to Prepare for Bringing Home an Adoptive Child with Needs provides a checklist for families to consider and follow.

• Illustration: We Never Outgrow the Need for Family – Children need love and encouragement throughout their lives.
• “Of all the kids, they picked me!”
  At 15 years old, Crystalanne had given up on family. Until a couple in Texas spotted her profile on adoptuskids.org, and everything changed. Read her story.

Have news you’d like to share? Please post in our comments!

Inclusion in this post does not imply an endorsement by the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families. The Coalition is not responsible for the content of these resources.