(Page 3 of 3)

Finding Postadoption Services

Details about postadoption services in a particular area are available from local, State, and national information resources. Parents should call the public and private adoption agencies in their area and ask to be placed on their mailing lists for postadoption events. While some of these may be restricted to families who adopted through the agency, many postadoption services offered by agencies will be open to all adoptive families. Adoptive parent support groups also will have information about local agencies and organizations that provide postadoption services and their upcoming events.

The following is a listing of resources for information about local postadoption services.

Public and private adoption agencies. Many adoption agencies have a postadoption specialist on staff, and many larger agencies have complete postadoption services departments. Agencies may offer counseling by on-staff clinicians, or they can refer parents to adoption-competent therapists. Among the postadoption services offered by agencies are support groups for parents and children, educational workshops and events, cultural heritage events, respite care, and support with birth family relationships.

Specialized postadoption services organizations. Agencies offering postadoption services exclusively are becoming more prevalent throughout the country. They typically offer the same kinds of postadoption services as do adoption agencies, but they do not place children for adoption and may not be affiliated with any specific adoption agency.

Adoptive parent support groups. Parent groups offer information about local postadoption service providers and referrals to adoption-competent therapists. Educational events, respite care, and cultural events are among the many kinds of support a parent group may offer.

State and county adoption offices and postadoption specialists. Most State and county adoption offices have identified staff who are responsible for adoption and postadoption services or adoption subsidies. Larger jurisdictions may offer services themselves, but all will have information about local postadoption services and providers.

Adoptive parents can find out if their child is eligible for these services by contacting the adoption specialist for that jurisdiction. To find contact information for all of the State Adoption Specialists, search the National Adoption Directory.

State postadoption resource centers. Some States now provide a resource center specifically for postadoption services. Some of these resource centers serve only those families who have adopted children through domestic foster care, while other centers may have no restrictions on who is eligible to use their services. Most offer programs and all provide information about local postadoption services and providers.

Public and private mental health service providers. Mental health service providers will offer counseling on issues affecting adoptive families. Parents should be sure that the provider is adoption competent (has experience and is skilled in working with adoptive families) or willing to learn about the special issues and dynamics of adoptive families.

Community health organizations. Local public health organizations provide mental health services and referrals to local clinicians. Parents should check to find out if the provider has experience with adoptive families.

Paying for Postadoption Services

While many postadoption services are not free of charge to adoptive families, there may be Federal and State funding to support services for families who have adopted children from a public agency. Many children adopted from public agencies qualify for adoption assistance (subsidies) and Medicaid. These benefits are often used to purchase postadoption services. An adoption assistance agreement should spell out the types of postadoption services that will be reimbursed (such as respite care or counseling).

If adoption assistance programs are not available, parents can check with their health insurance company or health maintenance organization regarding mental health benefits that may be applicable.

Some States may have additional funding to support families in attending seminars, conferences, and other educational events, or for other postadoption services. Parents can contact their State postadoption specialist for information on State postadoption funding, programs, and services that may be available.

Seeking out postadoption services is a common way for adoptive parents to find information or someone to talk to; for adoptive families who need more intensive or specialized services, there are places for them to turn. Such activities have become normal and expected for adoptive families. Clearly, there is nothing wrong (and everything right!) with a family that seeks postadoption support at any time throughout the lifelong process of adoption.

Tags: Adoption

About the Author

www.childwelfare.gov
Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.