Becoming An Adoptive Parent

Resources for Adopting Parents

Comprehensive Adoption Information

• Child Welfare Information Gateway - Comprehensive information on all aspects of adoption (formerly the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse)
• About Adoption - Extensive resources and articles including home study FAQ's and online forums
• Adopting.com - Comprehensive listing of adoption related internet resources
• Recursos en Español Para el Mes Nacional de la Adopción - Link to Spanish Language Resources on CW Information Gateway
• NYSCCC Annual Adoption Training Conference • May 8-10, 2008, Albany NY

Adoption Guides

• NYS Adoption Services Directory - County specific listing of NYS public and non profit adoption agency contacts and servcies
• How to Adopt a New York Waiting Child (PDF) A new guide to Adoption from NYS OCFS
• Getting Started -A collection of excellent factsheets from the Child Welfare Information Gateway (PDF)
• From Foster Parent to Adoptive Parent - A lawyers guide to foster parent adoption in NYS by Michael A. Neff, P.C.( PDF)
• NYS Foster Parent's Guide to Adoption, September 2002 - NYS OCFS information manual (PDF)
• How to Adopt - Link to the North American Council on Adoptable Children
• A Child is Waiting - A Beginners Guide to Adoption from the Dave Thomas Adoption Foundation. (PDF)
• AdoptUsKids Family Pocket Guide (PDF)

On-Line Preparation Courses
(These links are provided for your convenience only. Listing does not imply endorsement by the Coalition.)

• With Eyes Wide Open: A Preparation Guide for International Adoption - From Adoption Learning Partners. This is one of 10 online adoption courses offered by Adoption Learning Partners. Other adoption preparation courses include: Let's Talk Adoption, Adopting the Older Child, Conspicuous Families, and Medical Issues in International Adoption
• Adoption: Preparing to Adopt the Older Child - from The Universal Class
• Foster Parent College On-line Training Modules - by Richard Delaney, Phd, (Though written with foster parents in mind, the courses contain information equally appropriate for adoptive parents.)

Waiting Children

• The Adoption Album - New York State Office of Children and Family Services site with lists of approved agencies, prospective adoptive parent registry, photolistings of children awaiting adoption, and adoption subsidy information.
• New York City Administration for Children's Services - List of waiting children, how to adopt, calendar of events.
• AdoptUsKids - National site with information on thousands of US kids awaiting adoption
• Adopte1.org - la versión en español de AdoptUsKids.org
• Children Awaiting Parents, Inc. - Adoption resources and photolisting for special needs children.
• Directory of Adoption Photolisting Websites - Link to Comeunity.com
• Finding a Fit that Will Last a Lifetime: A Guide to Connecting Adoptive Families with Waiting Children (PDF)

International Adoption

• The Hauge Convention on Intercountry Adoption: A Guide for Prospective Parents (PDF)
• Joint Council on International Adoption
• U.S. Department of State, Office of Children's Issues - Regulations and procedures for international adoption, including country-specific information.
• Rainbow Kids - Photolisting of "Waiting Children of the World", links to international adoption agencies and country-specific email lists

Legal Information

• Adoption Law: Free Legal Information - Link to freeadvice.com
• Locating an Adoption Attorney - Link to the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
• The Ten Commandments of Private Adoption - by Robin Fleischner, Esq.
• What to Expect From an Adoption Attorney: A Guide for Prospective Adoptive Parents in New York State - (PDF)
• Adoption in New York - NYS Bar Association pamphlet with information on basic adoption laws and procedures in the state of New York.
• Citizenship Requirements for Prospective Adoptive Families in NYS
• The Basics: Adoption in New York State - From the NYC Cross Borough Collaboration

Adoption Support

• NYSCCC's Directory of Foster and Adoptive Parent Groups - Listing of local adoptive parent support groups in NYS.
• Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc. - Organization providing adoption and post-adoption seminars and counseling, sections for adopted children and teens.
• How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option - Link to the National Endowment for Financial Education
• Adoption Subsidy - Information and Resources compiled by NYSCCC
• National Adoption Foundation Grant Programs
• Gift Of Adoption Fund - Adoption assistance grants

Other Resources 

• NYS Adoption Forms - Including application to adopt and prospective adoptive parent medical report
• NYSCCC's Transracial/Transcultural Adoption Resource Page - Articles and links to sites specializing in transracial/transcultural adoption issues.
• Adoptive Families - National adoption magazine with information for families before, during, and after adoption.
• 10 Essential Adoption Books - NYSCCC Recommended Reading List
• Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute - An adoption research and policy organization
• Interjurisdictional Placement- Information on the Interstate Compact on the Placement (ICPC) of Children from the CW Information Gateway
• NYS ICPC: Information about the state’s ICPC, contact information, and information on the state’s laws, practices and procedures regarding interjuridictional placement (PDF)

Additional Reading on NYSCCC Website

• Becoming an Adoptive Family by Kenneth W. Watson
• Adopting a Waiting Child: Tips on Finding a Child and Speeding the Process by Judith Ashton
• Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Teenager
• Adoption Benefits in the Workplace, by Terri Pease
• Are You Ready to Adopt? What You Can Learn From Your Motives by Barbara Holtan
• Know Your Adoption Agency!  by Marie Dolfi & Judith Ashton
• The Open Adoption Question by Lori Angeline
• Notes on Interjurisdictional Adoption by Susan Badeau
• Recommendations on How to Begin to Research an Adoption by Susan Saur, CSW
• The Right Stuff: Personal Qualities Required for Adoption by Alfred Garrotto
• Tips On Adopting a Child With Special Needs by Judith Loseff Lavin
• Shared Parenting by Robert G. Lewis

Links to Additional Reading on Outside Websites

• Facilitated Openess Can Benefit Children Adopted From Care from Adoptalk, North American Council on Adoptable Children
• Five Hot Buttons Not to Push from Adoption is a Family Affair: What Relatives and Friends Must Know by Pat Johnson. Link to Perspectives Press
• The Adoption Experience Link to website containing stories of personal adoption experiences.
• Ten Things Your Adoption Agency Won't Tell You Link to Smart Money.com
• Gay and Lesbian Adoption and Foster Care Issues from the National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permaenency Planning.
• Placement of Children with Relatives- Summary of State Laws from Child Information Gateway

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NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
410 East Upland Road • Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-0034 • fax 607-272-0035
08/13/2008