Keeping The Promise

Yesterday the report "Keeping The Promise: The Critical Need for Post-Adoption Services to Enable Children and Families to Succeed" was released by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. It was authored by Susan Livingston Smith and is endorsed by a full complement of adoption-related organizations, such as ours. The full report may be viewed here:
http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/research/2010_10_promises.php

According to the report, over 90% of those who have done any sort of adoption are "satisfied" with their adoption. Children who have been adopted are at more risk of having developmental, emotional and/or other challenges. Families who have adopted are 3 times more likely to be in some sort of supportive care. (This is due to increased need and to increased openness to asking for help.) Many post adoptive services exist, mainly developed and delivered to those who have adopted from foster care, but have been curtailed or limited due to federal and state budget cuts. These services are critically needed by families who have taken any of the roads to adoption. These services also need to be more thoroughly studied to verify their efficacy and improve them as needed.

We will do our part, working to increase the availability of post-adoption services. Please do yours too. Read the paper (or even the summary) and take action. We can guide you if you need help in knowing what to do.