Adoption: A Forever Family
What's it like to adopt, or to be adopted? Maybe you have been thinking about adopting a child. Or perhaps you are wondering, "Will I love an adopted child as much as a child I gave birth to?" Or, "What if the birth mother changes her mind?" Or you may not even know how to adopt. What kind of adoption is right for you and your family? Private? International? Foster Care? Regardless of the path, adoption can greatly enrich your life. Join host, Dr. Winnie King as we meet several families who have adopted through different paths (private, international and foster-care), a pediatrician specializing in adoption (and mother of three adopted children) and you'll hear the remarkable story of a man who, at four years old, entered the foster care system with his six-month old brother and now, along with his wife, has three biological daughters and four adopted sons.
GUESTS (both on set and in video segments):
Deborah Borchers, M.D, F.A.A.P. - Pediatrician; Member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adoption.
Mother of 3 daughters adopted internationally
Deborah's adopted children:
Anna Borchers (12)
Sara Borchers (9)
Krista Borchers (5)
Jean and David Gray, Adoptive Parents
Jean and David's adopted children
David Gray (10)
Grace-Ann Gray (5)
Shane and Gloria Salter - parents of foster children; Shane is the Executive Director of North American Council on Adoptable Children
Shane & Gloria's biological daughter
Brittney Gray (15)
Shane & Gloria's adopted sons
Moye Salter (8)
Nigel Salter (7)
RESOURCES:
SOME ADOPTION OPTIONS: ORGANIZATIONS AND WEB SITES
Adopting via an adoption agency " People seeking a healthy U.S.-born infant can visit the web site of "Adoptive Families Magazine" at http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/, where you will also find information about obtaining their highly detailed "2005 Adoption Guide."
Adopting an infant privately - If you're seeking to adopt a domestic infant by locating a birthmother yourself, usually with a lawyer's help, you can visit the "American Academy of Adoption Attorneys" - a not-for-profit organization - http://www.adoptionattorneys.org/
Adopting internationally - If you are seeking to adopt children from other countries, usually young children from orphanages in developing nations of Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, be aware that most inter-country placements are handled by U.S.-based agencies.
Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics site - www.aap.org/sections/adoptionAdopting a "waiting" child from the public foster care system in the United States. State agencies handle these adoptions, which typically happen in one of two ways: Families may apply directly to adopt a child in foster care, or first become foster parents and then adopt after the birthparents' rights are terminated. Pictures of "waiting children" can be seen in books available at public libraries or online at AdoptUSKids-- http://www.adoptuskids.org/
MAGAZINES & BOOKS:
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The Adoption Resource Book, by Lois Gilman
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2005 Adoption Guide - a magazine-format guide available through the Adoptive Families Magazine web site, above.
JOIN AN "ADOPTIVE PARENT GROUP"
These groups are for prospective adoptive parents as well as adoptive parents, and help parents share, understand, and manage all of the complexities of adoption, whether the child is an infant, has special needs, or is of a different race or ethnic background. Adoptive parent groups also provide support to prospective adoptive parents while they wait for their child, and provide guidance for prospective adoptive parents planning intercountry adoption.
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC)
a service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web site, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/
Phone: (703) 352-3488 or (888) 251-0075
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Adoption Agency
Adoptive Families
http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/
(646) 366-0830Private Adoption
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
http://www.adoptionattorneys.org/
(202) 832-2222"Waiting (Foster) Children"
North American Council on Adoptable Children - NACAC
(651) 644-3036
(800) 470-6665
http://www.nacac.org/AdoptUSKids
(888) 200-4005
http://www.adoptuskids.org/International Adoption
American Academy of Pediatrics
www.aap.org/sections/adoption
(847) 434-4000
