Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: Why Foster Care System?

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Why Foster Care System? Sep 30th 2011, 10:00 Question: What Are the Top Reasons Children Enter the Foster Care System? There are several hundred thousand children within the foster care system in the United States alone. What happens within a family that a court decides that a child must enter the foster care system? Answer: There are several reasons why children enter foster care. Sadly, many homes have more than one of the following issues and a child enters the foster care system for numerous reasons. Physical Abuse - Probably one of the first reasons to enter our minds when we consider why a child enters foster care. Physical abuse usually means to the extreme, where bruising is left on a child and numerous attempts to help a family learn alternative means of disciple have failed. Each State or Country determines how physical abuse is defined. Physical abuse may also mean the restraining of a child or being locked within a closet or other space. Sexual Abuse - This can mean several different things as sexual abuse is often thought about on a continuum of acts with the viewing of pornographic material or viewing of sex acts on one end of the continuum to fondling and penetration on the other. Neglect - Neglect encompasses several areas, including - the child's need for food, a clean living environment, or emotional needs. It is extremely difficult to prove emotional abuse, but is often a part of physical or sexual abuse. Medical Neglect - Sometimes a birth parent's choice to not seek medical attention stems from religious beliefs, but there are other times when a child's medical needs are neglected due to pure thoughtlessness. Incarceration - A child may be placed into foster care when there are no family or friends available to care for the child during a parent's incarceration in prison or jail. Abandonment - Children may also enter foster care when their parents have dropped them off at a sitters and never returned, or left the children home alone for extended periods of time. Truancy - Truancy does impact younger children at times, when parents have not ensured that the children make it to school regularly. Death - Though rare, as there is usually family available to care for a child after the death of a parent, there have been cases when children do enter foster care after the death of a parent. Voluntarily Placed - Another rare occurrence, due to the child's behavior or a parent's health, some parents have privately placed their children into foster care. We often think of the parent's shortcomings when a child enters foster care, but there are times when a child's choices mean a child must be placed into the foster care system. Juvenile Offender - A child that has been adjudicated a juvenile offender by the court system after a series of scrapes with law enforcement. Sometimes the child's choice to break the law means the child may find himself within the foster care system, especially if there are issues within the home and the parents are unable to properly manage the child's behavior. Runaways - Some children engage in dangerous running away behavior that parents find difficult to manage alone. Truancy - Another child behavior that may lead to the child's need to be placed into the foster care system is that of chronically skipping school.

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: Non-identifying Information

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Non-identifying Information Sep 30th 2011, 10:00 Definition: Non-identifying Information is usually very basic information that adoptees can access once they register for that part of their adoption records. It's usually any information that does not give away a birth parent's identity - such as name, birth date, address or phone number. What's included? Information varies from State to State, but for example may include: health/medical information age of birth parents description of birth parents reason for placing the child for adoption SOURCE: Child Welfare Information Gateway

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: Questions About Foster Child

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Questions About Foster Child Sep 30th 2011, 10:00 Waiting for a call about a foster child needing a home can be nerve wracking, whether you are a veteran foster parent or a newbie. What will the worker be able to tell you about the child? There may be times when the worker calling you will not even know the child's name. Other times the information may be completely wrong. I've been told wrong ages and grades in the past. Be prepared for anything. Asking questions helps. 1. Age and Grade of the Child The age and grade of the child will dictate what other resources you will need to parent the child. If the child is school age does that fit better with your work schedule than a toddler? Daycare may be a need if the child is 0-5 and you work outside of the home. Do you have a daycare already lined up for future foster children? Parenting Toddlers or Babies May Be for Your Foster or Adoptive Family If... A School-aged Child May Be Right for Your Foster or Adoptive Family If... Parenting Teenagers May Be Right for Your Foster or Adoptive Family If... 2. Reason for Coming into Care Physical abuse, sexual abuse, truancy, lack of supervision, poor condition of the home, lack of food, lack of appropriate medical care, there are many reasons a child will come into foster care, know what you can and can not handle. Consider also the needs of the other children in the home. If you have a child in the home who sexually acts out, taking in a child who is a recent victim of sexual abuse may be a bad fit. Try not to set the kids up to fail. 3. Placed from Where Is the child coming into foster care from the birth home, a group home or another foster home? This answer will lead to more questions, such as, why is the child being moved at this time? 4. Disruption There is a big difference between a child needing a new placement due to the foster parents moving and the child disrupting the home. If the later is the case, ask why the child is disrupting. If you decide to take the child as a placement ask to have the previous foster home give you a call. You can gain a wealth of information from the previous foster parent. This of course will depend on the situation and the social workers allowing the contact. 5. Number of Moves How many foster homes has the child been in? Has the child been in custody before? A child bouncing from foster home to foster home is obviously a child with a lot of needs. This child may also have attachment issues. Are you prepared to parent such a child? Also, a child who has been in foster care before may be a sign of a birth parent with a lot of needs. 6. Race Many families are willing to foster a child of a race other than their own and that is wonderful as there is a need for more foster homes that are open to a wide variety of needs. But that child and foster family will not be raised in a bubble. Take into account your community and the school district that the foster child will be entering. Will the child be the only person in the whole district that looks like her? Knowing what works in your home and community does not make you a racist, it makes you aware. 7. Special Needs Does the child have glasses, medication, allergies, or other physical needs? 8. Siblings Can you provide a home for the entire sibling set? If not, asking about siblings is just a good idea so that you know who the child is talking about. You can also begin thinking about ways to keep the children close; if that is appropriate with the case goals. When Asked to Become a Foster Parent to More Than One Baby or Toddler 10 Things to Do When Foster Kids Fight 9. Known Behaviors Children express feelings through behaviors. For example: does this child hit when angry? Does the child sexually act out? How about open defiance? Ask the worker what behaviors the child has; they may know especially if the child is coming to you from another foster home. 10. School Needs Does the child have an Individualized Education Plan(IEP)? How about speech therapy? Is the child struggling in school? What school did the child attend previously? Has the child been held back? These are other good questions to ask if the child is coming from another foster home. The placement worker calling you will probably not know these things about a child who is coming into foster care for the first time.

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: Children Raised to Be Gay?

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Children Raised to Be Gay? Sep 30th 2011, 10:00 Question: Will Children Raised by Gay Parents Become Gay? Gay Adoption FAQ #1 | FAQ #2 | FAQ #3 | FAQ #4 | FAQ #5 | FAQ #6 | FAQ #7 | FAQ #8 | FAQ #9 | FAQ #10 Answer: There have been various studies on this subject and various researchers have been asked this very question. But according to the odds of a child becoming homosexual is about the same as the odds of a child becoming heterosexual - regardless of the sexual orientation of the parents. SOURCE: Overview of Lesbian and Gay Parenting, Adoption and Foster Care - April 6, 1999 Fact Sheet - ACLU Note: Stay up-to-date on gay adoption and other adoption & foster care issues with my weekly newsletter. Back to Gay Adoption Basics. Note: To learn more about foster care check out Foster Care 101 - Foster Care Information for Those Interested in Caring for Children in Need.

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: 4 Tips To Stop Bullying

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4 Tips To Stop Bullying Sep 29th 2011, 10:00 Note: Stay up-to-date on foster care and adoptive parenting issues with my weekly newsletter. Fasten your seat belt and get on the diversity train! Experts agree that bullying not only exists in every school and community in our country, but it is also escalating at a frightening pace. Bullying, defined as strong preying on the weak has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. as nearly one out of three American children have experienced bullying, either as the victim, perpetrator, or both with few victims letting on they are, in fact, victims. A Google search on "bullying," returns more than three million sites. Meanwhile, millions of research dollars are being poured into studying child and adolescent violence and the National Institute of Mental Health considers bullying one of the anti-social behaviors to watch for. According to social scientists the common causes of bullying are rooted in diversity: racial differences, differences in family formation/structure, perceived sexual orientation, learning disabilities, and religious differences. As the percentage of 'different' children in schools and in society increases the problem of bullying grows along with it. We can't escape diversity-even if we wanted to. It is reflected in the languages we speak, the colors of our skin, our gender, our age, our traditions, our sexual orientation and identity, the structure of our families, and the financial and educational resources available. The fundamental way to 'bully-bust' is to teach young kids to respect and celebrate all cultures, choices and 'abilities'. Decades of social science research has found that diverse classrooms and communities improve children's experiences through more realistic representations of the world around them, increase opportunities for authentic civic engagement and increase social interaction between members of different racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. That's a fancy way of saying that our kids are less likely to be bullied or tolerate bullying of any sort if they are exposed to diverse people as early as possible-without any editorial from the adult 'peanut gallery.' So how can you become a 'bully-buster'? Just follow these simple steps and empower one child, one family, one school, and one community at a time. Bias-recognize, and then forgive yourself of your biases. We are all human. We all have biases-both positive and negative: the super-smart Asian, or the mysterious villain in a turban. The trick is to be aware, acknowledge and not unconsciously pass them on. And don't let the media or other institutions get away with it either. You can fight back and win! Creating & Sustaining A Cultural Diverse Future For Your Child Considering Interracial Adoption Insist that school and home environments reflect the world young children live in. Look at the books, dolls, toys, magazines and musical instruments, the colors of paint, paper and markers your children play with. Watch how gender roles are displayed in your homes and classrooms and ask: Do they really reflect our diverse world? Pay particular attention to books as they are proven way to influence a child's worldview, help form concepts of right and wrong, and raise awareness for social issues. Cinderella's impact on generations of young women should be all the proof you need to convince yourself of the power of the written word. Don't forget what is absent is almost as important as what is present because the missing link can provide children with the vital information necessary for beating bullying and diversity. 14 Ways to Focus on Culture Fun Things to Do With Children's Adoption Books Language matter-Watch what you say and write! Sticks and stones really do break bones and names do hurt. We are not even talking about the racial slurs of the past, but we are talking about other insidious and hurtful language. Use what sociologists call 'people first positive language.' For example, a person is blind. He is not a blind person. A child was adopted, not is (meaning permanently adopted). People first positive language applies to racial and ethnic stereotypes, i.e. we sit like pretzels and not Indians. Asians are not Oriental and not every black person is African-American. If this seems like political correctness run amok, one glance at the mountains of sociological and psychological studies demonstrating language's role in shifting perceptions should be enough to convince the most ardent nay-sayers. And silence isn't always golden, either. Silence equals complicit agreement when racism rears its ugly head. W.I.S.E. Up Powerbook Cross-Cultural Adoption: The Do's and Don'ts for Grown-Ups Teach your child how to be successful. Tweak assignments (or help teachers) to create a win-win for all. A simple and seemingly innocent 'family tree' assignment can send a child in a non-traditional family into a tailspin. A 'family orchard' assignment may accomplish the same educational objective yet allow everyone-no matter what their family looks like feel successful and included. Create family or classroom 'contracts' of behavior that includes bully-busting values like Respect, Honesty, Compassion, Fairness Responsibility and Courage. Get everyone on board the diversity and bully-busting train and stick to it. Teaching Foster or Adopted Children How to Answer Questions from School Children What Is a Cover Story and How Can It Help Foster Children? These four simple steps to stop bias and bullying in its tracks will provide everyone with a huge payoff: safer, more secure children who can thrive in an incredibly complex and diverse world. And who knows where that might lead? Next stop: world peace! About the Author: Known as the "Bully Buster", award-winning author of 3 books and President of As Simple As That, has effectively worked with thousands of parents, educators and children to develop effective, yet easy-to-implement strategies that can stop bullying before it starts. Go to http://www.simpleasthat.com to learn how Deb's books and programs can help you raise more successful, secure children.

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: Grief and Loss in Children

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Grief and Loss in Children Sep 29th 2011, 10:00 When a child enters your home, whether through adoption or foster care, they come with a tremendous amount of grief and loss. Losses that include birth parents, extended family, home, pets, neighborhoods, schools, friends, treasured belongings, and in some cases culture. Don't discount the loss of "the little things" like a favorite climbing tree. I've had children talk about their favorite toys, friends, or even the lunch lady at school. People and things make a big impression on us, this is the same for our children. As parents we hurt when our children hurt. If we want to help the child grieve we must first better our understanding of grief and loss. The Stages of Grief and Loss Grief is very personal. Each person will go through grief at her own pace, time, and order. When I speak of order I'm referring to Kubler-Ross' well known stages of grief established in 1969. They are: Shock/Denial Anger Bargaining Despair/Depression Acceptance/Understanding/Resolution Here is an example of what grief and loss may look like in a child who is missing her birth family after entering a foster or adoptive situation. Shock/Denial â€" 'My family will be here soon to pick me up.' The child stands by the door and waits, peering out the window from time to time. Anger â€" 'I hate Social Workers. They don’t understand anything about my family' or 'Police officers lied about my dad. He wouldn’t do any of the things they said he did.' The child may cry uncontrollably or become angry at the foster/adoptive parents for making simple requests like asking the child to get ready for bed or being told 'no.' Bargaining â€" The child may now realize that they will be in the foster/adoptive home for some time. The child may silently pray or believe the following: 'If I’m allowed to go home I’ll be the best kid. I will help keep the house clean. I will get the top grades in school.' Despair/Depression â€" 'Who is going to take care of me? Did I make this happen? I give up. Why me? I’m so alone.' Acceptance/Understanding/Resolution â€" 'I’m here in this home, but I’m safe. This is not my fault. I did not make this happen. Adults make choices for me. I need to do my best to share my feelings with adults around me that I trust. I will get through this and be OK.' Some children may get stuck in a stage, like 'Anger.' Others will bounce between stages many times before hitting 'Understanding.' And still others will 'Bargain,' before going through 'Denial.' Kubler-Ross stated that it could take an adult 2 years to grieve the death of a loved one. It was also noted that an 18-month old child who loses her parents could take up to 6 years to fully grieve and come to a resolution of that loss. Again, grief is personal.

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Adoption / Foster Care: A Fall Book with a Potential Foster Care or Adoption Message: A Simple Brown Leaf

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A Fall Book with a Potential Foster Care or Adoption Message: A Simple Brown Leaf Sep 28th 2011, 08:00 I love the fall weather. The leaves are starting to change and the temperature drops a bit; not enough to be cold, but enough to need a light jacket. A Simple Brown Leaf is an awesome choice for the fall season and for reading aloud to your children. This book is one of those that a family can read and it fits into almost any life situation. Not a foster care or adoption themed book, but a book about life and how life is about constant change. I highly recommend A Simple Brown Leaf. What a perfect fall book to share. This book also makes for a great gift for adults as it is beautifully illustrated and deals with the topic of change.� _____________________________________ Suggested Reading: How To Read Aloud to Your Child (About Children's Books) Fall Fun for Foster and Adopted Children - If Halloween Is Too Scary - Fall Fun May Be the Answer

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Adoption / Foster Care: A Fall Book with a Potential Foster Care or Adoption Message: A Simple Brown Leaf

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A Fall Book with a Potential Foster Care or Adoption Message: A Simple Brown Leaf Sep 28th 2011, 08:00 I love the fall weather. The leaves are starting to change and the temperature drops a bit; not enough to be cold, but enough to need a light jacket. A Simple Brown Leaf is an awesome choice for the fall season and for reading aloud to your children. This book is one of those that a family can read and it fits into almost any life situation. Not a foster care or adoption themed book, but a book about life and how life is about constant change. I highly recommend A Simple Brown Leaf. What a perfect fall book to share. This book also makes for a great gift for adults as it is beautifully illustrated and deals with the topic of change.� _____________________________________ Suggested Reading: How To Read Aloud to Your Child (About Children's Books) Fall Fun for Foster and Adopted Children - If Halloween Is Too Scary - Fall Fun May Be the Answer

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: The Father Connection

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The Father Connection Sep 28th 2011, 10:00 The Adoption forum share thoughts on fathers and the importance of a father son relationship as well as a father daughter relationship. These are direct quotes from forum members regarding their birth, adoptive, and step fathers and the relationships they share with them. "In Memory of my two Father's Guido(8/15/1986) & Joseph(11/8/1998)WW2 Veteran. How lucky and blessed was I to have two Fathers one through adoption the other by birth." ~ Marycaroline Benso "I think most men do not realize how important a part they are in children's lives, what an influence they have on shaping a lot of basic values and lessons for life. And what it does when they leave and do not invest any time in their child's(ren) lives." ~ quinnandellie "My biological father - I've never met him, and from what I know, he doesn't know that I exsist. I do hope someday to meet him. There are so many questions I want to ask, and things I want to say. Mostly, I want to tell him that I don't harbor any anger towards him for how I came to exsist or where I ended up (being adopted). He wasn't really given any more choice than I was about my adoption. As far as my conception, well, we all do stupid things when we're young." ~ Theresaxxx "What I have learned as an adult about my dad (adoptive) is that he's really done the best he can. He sees needs that he feels he must fill, and he focuses on them. He knew he was the one who had to care for his patients, and he knew that my mom was there to care for my brother and I. In his mind, we "didn't need" him as much as those patients did. We didn't need him as much as those extremely poor people in Haiti did (and do). He really doesn't understand that we DO need him just as much, but in different ways." ~ Theresaxxx "My father, I have great memories of. I remember him singing songs to me while playing the ukelele ("Mares Eat Oats and Does Eat Oats" was my favorite). I used to walk to the end of the block to wait for him to come down the street; he would walk home from the train station and I would jump up into his arms. He took me to my first baseball game, it was at Wrigely Field against the Braves. I got to see Hank Aaron. We ceramic tiled the bathroom together. We used to put up with my mother trying to cheat at Rummy. We fought when I was a teenager and I left home at 16. I came back at 19 and became his friend after he retired. He will be dead 10 years this year. He died the morning I was on a plane home to see him. He never had a chance to meet his 2 grandsons. I couldn't have asked for a better father or a better life. I will always feel blessed that I am his daughter." ~ mmc51264 "My parents divorced when I was 12. Their's was not an amicable split, so physical contact with him basically ceased between him and his 5 children. My father was a career Naval officer (part of the reason my parents did not get along was the constant moving about) and he was stationed all over the world. My fondest memories of my father were his letters from those sometimes exotic places which only came sporadically but cherished nonetheless. During the time he was around he was not an overly affectionate guy and rarely said he loved us. How I relate to my own kids now is very much influenced by this - not a day goes by that I don't tell them how much I love them and how happy I am to have them in my life." ~ scoobyou "I feel so horrible throughout the past 11 years not being able to find my daughter's birth father. Her birthmom to this day refuses to disclose this information to her yet sends her e-mails of poems that my daughter trashes and never reads. I FEEL she has the right to know. For a child to grow up knowing "someone had to be the sprem donor", Firsthand, I had to be a part of this since the day I adopted her. It's pure agony on her part and a missing peice of a puzzle I fear she will never have. She is now 22 and realizes IF she did find him, he may not want a thing to do with her. But that is not the point! She just wants to know." ~ SglemomHOST "I lost my daddy (my adoptive father) 5 years ago today. It is still very hard to believe he's gone. He was just 62. My daddy had a wonderful childlike quality about him and was very impulsive. I see alot of him in my sister Chris so he lives on in a way that's not just memories." ~ Siri "I remember mostly good things about my Dad - he was devoted to my mom and it was clear that he loved her dearly - when he died a few years ago - they had been married for 63 years. So, I consider his greatest gift to me that he taught me how to love someone - openly and respectfully. He was openly affectionate with my mom and us children and was a jovial, funny man." ~ Southernroots "At age 34 I felt that underneath it all I was a survivor who wanted more than anything to be a successful writer and wanted no part of my dad's life. I had spent my whole life trying to be someone I wasn't, namely someone that knew how to live but I finally broke free of my dad's clutches by looking at my daughter and seeing me. It was then that I smiled inside as I made the connection from my head to my heart for the first time - there was never anything wrong with me but my dad inflicted his sickness upon me." ~ wordtrix1

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: What Is the Hague Convention?

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What Is the Hague Convention? Sep 28th 2011, 10:00 Question: What Is the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption? Answer: The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is an international agreement between participating countries on best adoption procedures. These procedures have basically two goals in mind: The best interest of children are considered with each intercountry adoption. The prevention of abduction, exploitation, sale, or trafficking of children. The guidelines and procedures that are set forth in the Hague Convention are also for the protection of birth families, as well as adoptive families. Part of the Convention's guidelines ensures that one Central Authority is in place in each country so that adoptive parents get the most accurate information regarding adoption. The Department of State is the U.S. Central Authority for the Convention. According to the State Department's Web site, implementing the principles of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption is the State Department's top priority at this time. They hope that the U.S. will be a Hague Convention country by late 2007 or early 2008. As of February 26, 2008, there are 75 countries that have joined the Convention. History of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption The Hague Convention on Private International Law has been around since 1893, but the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption was completed for comments by member countries on May 29, 1993. The United States signed the Convention on March 31, 1994. In 1998, President Clinton sent the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions to the U.S. Senate for ratification. In 2000, both Houses of Congress passed bills for implementation of the Convention, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (the IAA), Public Law 106-279. President Clinton signed the IAA into law on October 6, 2000. The United States ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption on December 12, 2007 in the Netherlands. The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption entered into force for the United States on April 1, 2008. This means that private adoption service providers will need to be accredited, temporarily accredited, or approved, supervised by a provider that is accredited, temporarily accredited, or approved, in order to provide adoption services involving the U.S. and another Convention country. See an updated list on the Department of State Web site of these agencies. Adoptions between Hague and non-Hague countries are not prohibited by the Hague Convention Top 10 Hague Convention Countries that U.S. Families Adopted from in 2005 China Guatemala* India Colombia Philippines Mexico Poland Thailand Brazil Moldovia *Guatemala is a party to the Convention, but is not following the standards of the Convention at this time. New developments - Guatemala plans on being compliant by January 1, 2008, but will not work with any country that is not compliant. On April 1, 2008, the Department of State advised that prospective adoptive parents not initiate an adoption with Guatemala. Top 10 Non-Hague Countries / Territories that U.S. Families Adopted from in 2005 Russia South Korea Ukraine Kazakhstan Ethiopia Haiti Liberia Taiwan Nigeria Jamaica SOURCES: The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption Process - U.S. Department of State Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption and the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000: Background - U.S. Department of State Guatemalan Adoptions and the Hague Convention

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: African American Hair Care

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African American Hair Care Sep 28th 2011, 10:00 Keeping a good hair regime not only requires using quality, salon grade products, but it also calls for using the proper tools when styling. Curly women and girls require the quality brushes and combs to not only bring out the best in their hair, but to avoid unnecessary damage and breakage. Wide tooth comb or pick, the wider the better. Learn about choosing the right comb in this quick tip. Natural bristle brush. Read more on bristle brushes before making a selection. Hydrating shampoo. Moisturizing Conditioner. A daily moisturizer; this will add needed moisture, and ease comb-ability. Natural oils to apply to the hair (I recommend pomegranate seed oil. Cream hair dressing for light control of frizzes. Elastics for securing ponytails.

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Adoption / Foster Care: How to Know When it's a Good Adoption Match

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How to Know When it's a Good Adoption Match Sep 20th 2011, 08:00 When we recently read the adoption profile of a child in need of an adoptive family, we felt that we could meet her needs based on what we had read and learned about the child from the adoptive family and the social workers. So, we decided to move on to the next step of the adoption process and did a couple of respite weekend visits. We were very overwhelmed with the decision before us and our hearts went out to the child, because she desperately wanted a family. However, we knew she wasn't the right adoption match for our family. But how do you know when a child is the right fit for your family and you're the right match for the child? Click "comments" below and share your thoughts. Suggested Reading/New Articles and Features: How to Know When a Child Is Not a Good Adoption Match for Your Family How to Know When an Adoption Match Is Right for Your Family

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Adoption / Foster Care: How to Know When it's a Good Adoption Match

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How to Know When it's a Good Adoption Match Sep 20th 2011, 08:00 When we recently read the adoption profile of a child in need of an adoptive family, we felt that we could meet her needs based on what we had read and learned about the child from the adoptive family and the social workers. So, we decided to move on to the next step of the adoption process and did a couple of respite weekend visits. We were very overwhelmed with the decision before us and our hearts went out to the child, because she desperately wanted a family. However, we knew she wasn't the right adoption match for our family. But how do you know when a child is the right fit for your family and you're the right match for the child? Click "comments" below and share your thoughts. Suggested Reading/New Articles and Features: How to Know When a Child Is Not a Good Adoption Match for Your Family How to Know When an Adoption Match Is Right for Your Family

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: U.S. Search Angel Listing

Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week // via fulltextrssfeed.com

U.S. Search Angel Listing Sep 20th 2011, 10:00 To request assistance for your adoption search from our Adoption Search Angels please send an email, with the words "SEARCHING/About.com" in the subject line, to the Adoption Search Angel representing your geographic area. Please include the following information in your email: Your name and identity (whether adoptee, natural mother or father, grandmother, etc.) The date of birth of adoptee State of birth of adoptee Any known information of the individuals you are looking for. Even the smallest clue may be the key to finding your family member. Please remember to be patient with our volunteers as they may be involved with several adoption searches at once. Also, if you have a successful adoption search with one of our volunteers please don't hesitate to contact me and share the good news! To our Adoption Search Angels: I thank you for your willingness to help and to be a part of this project. Please keep me up to date on your adoption searches and let me know if I can be of any help. When you have a success, please email me! We would love to read your stories here on About Adoption. Disclaimer: I do not vouch for the people who volunteer here, so please proceed with caution. If you can not locate your search area then follow these steps. Nation Wide Adoption Search Christina DenBaugh Juli Osborne Paul and Leslie Diane Carole Davis Arizona Adoption Search California Adoption Search Chris Graves Trevis Husfeldt Doreen Lisa Judy Sheinbein Dave Gietzen Virginia Neal - Southern California Susie Odell Candy Janice Reid Lisa Kenefick Rebecca Grubert Leslie - "I can also help with some California searches, particularly if the person was born and adopted in CA- either adoptee searching, or birthfamily ISO adoptee." Karen - Specifically Southern California Colorado Adoption Search Delaware Adoption Search Florida Adoption Search Susan Messina Richard Levine Angie Sauls Anne Velez Georgia Adoption Search Idaho Adoption Search Northwest Adoption Search and Reunion Illinois Adoption Search Indiana Adoption Search Cherrie Courtni Clark Sharon - Specific Look-up for Cass County, Indiana Iowa Adoption Search Kansas Adoption Search Kentucky Adoption Search Louisiana Adoption Search Michigan Adoption Search Minnesota Adoption Search Nevada Adoption Search Barbara Selletti Gigi Houghton Sue New Jersey Adoption Search New York Adoption Search Dawn Young - 5 boroughs of NYC & Richmond, NY only Susan Messina Peggy Thomas North Carolina Adoption Search Doreen Nyclore@aol.com - Charlotte (Mecklenburg County) and Greensboro Sharon Tiernie Regan Ohio Adoption Search Doreen Trevis Husfeldt Marge Smith Trisha Webb Deb Mohney Oklahoma Adoption Search Oregon Adoption Search Tamara McCuistion Michelle Groth Leslie Northwest Adoption Search and Reunion Pennsylvania Adoption Search Alyssa Rohrbaugh PA Connection Philadelphia Adoption Search South Carolina Adoption Search Barbara Campbell Cheryl Lynn Smith Donna Tiernie Regan Texas Adoption Search Doreen Susan Messina Candy Marlisa Leighn Gray Melissa Mullins AuntDuke Rebecca Grubert Utah Adoption Search Virginia Adoption Search Chris Bowden Sherri Oliver Washington Adoption Search Northwest Adoption Search and Reunion Pam McClenny Wisconsin Adoption Search If you can not locate your search area then follow these steps.

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: African American Hair Tip 2

Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week // via fulltextrssfeed.com

African American Hair Tip 2 Sep 20th 2011, 10:00 African American Hair Care Error #1 | Hair Care Error #3 | Hair Care Error #4 Proper conditioning is one of the most important steps for healthy hair. Unfortunately, most do not take the time to adequately do so. I recommend giving your child a deep conditioning (with heat) once a month, especially during the winter season. Back to the African American Hair Care Main Page Want to be the kind of foster / adoptive parents that can help a child maintain cultural roots? Sign up for a free e-course today, Learn How to Be a Great Foster Parent in 5 Weeks Note: Stay up-to-date on foster and adoptive parenting issues, like black hair care, with my weekly newsletter.

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Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now: Over Shampooing

Adoption / Foster Care: What's Hot Now These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week // via fulltextrssfeed.com

Over Shampooing Sep 18th 2011, 10:00 African American Hair Care Error #2 | Hair Care Error #3 | Hair Care Error #4 Black hair should not be shampooed every day, or every other day for that matter. Instead, shampoo your child's hair every 5-7 days. I know this may confuse those who shampoo daily; however, you must remember that Black hair needs oil, and because it distributes less sebum, frequent shampooing can dry out the hair and scalp. Tip for getting through "shampoo-less" days: Rinse hair with warm water, apply conditioner, and rinse well. This will give you a clean start and provide added conditioning and moisture without stripping away protective oils. Back to the African American Hair Care Main Page Want to be the kind of foster / adoptive parents that can help a child maintain cultural roots? Sign up for a free e-course today, Learn How to Be a Great Foster Parent in 5 Weeks Note: Stay up-to-date on foster and adoptive parenting issues, like black hair care, with my weekly newsletter.

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