Adoption Resources & Foster Care

Adoption resources & foster care guide

Considering adoption or foster care
 Adoption providers
Resources
Web resources

Not every one who seeks infertility treatment will become pregnant and deliver a child, even with today’s advanced reproductive technologies. If you have decided to end fertility treatment, you may choose to build a family through adoption or foster care.

Considering adoption or foster care

Adoptions can be arranged through a public or private agency or independently. Independent adoption usually involves an adoption attorney or other intermediary. The majority of adoptions in California are independent adoptions. In an agency adoption, the birth mother signs a “relinquishment,” and the agency places the child for adoption. In an independent adoption, the birth mother selects the adopting family.

Education and preparation is a very important part of making a successful adoption plan. In forming an adoption plan, consider your reasons for adoption and the kind of child you want to adopt (race, age, and special needs). Consider the type of adoption you want to pursue (public or private agency, independent or international) and the degree of openness you want in the adoption. Read all the information you can about adoption agencies, attorneys, support groups and laws. Attend seminars and pre-adopt meetings. Talk to those who have already adopted. Research not only adoption practices and services but the pre and post adoption psychological issues as well.

Consulting an experienced infertility/adoption counselor can facilitate making the decision to adopt.

Before choosing an adoption professional, locate and interview several reputable providers. Below is a list of some Bay Area adoption services providers.

Adoption providers

The listing of names does not imply the recommendation of any particular adoption provider.

Resources

Books

Below are some books and resources that may be helpful in learning more about adoption.

Adopting: Sound choices Strong Families.

Patricia Irwin Johnston. Perspectives Press. Written to help prospective adoptive parents make smarter, more thoughtful decisions about adopting a child.

A Guidebook for Raising Foster Children

Dr. Susan McNair Blatt. Bervin & Garvey. A pediatrician and medical director of the House of Good Shepherd, a child welfare agency in Utica, New York-has written a useful, commonsense guide to foster parenting in the new millennium. A Guidebook for Raising Foster Children is for people just starting out as foster parents as well as those still only thinking about becoming care providers.

I’m Chocolate, You’re Vanilla: Raising Healthy Black and Biracial Children in a Race-Conscious World.

Marguerite A Wright. Tapestry Books. www.tapestrybooks.com

Are those kids yours? American Families with children adopted from other countries.

By Cheri Register. Free Press. 1990. A personal report about the experience of international adoptive families.

Complete Book of International Adoption: a step by step guide.

Dawn Davenport. www.tapestrybooks.com

Lifebooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child

Beth O’Malley

Neighborhood of the Heart Fostering the Future of Children

Randolph W. Severson, Ph.D.

Pact’s Multicultural Booksource

PACT Press.

Practical Tools for Foster Parents

Lana Temple-Plotz, Ted P. Stricklett, Michael Sterba

Racial Identity Building and Pride Connection

PACT Press