"The People's Republic of China began a formal adoption program in 1990; 300 babies were adopted that year. The program has now grown to 12,000 adoptions a year..."

Labels: adoption_procedures, adoption_process, China

"When you take all of that vulnerability, and throw in a whole lot of emotions and big chunks of money, it is easy to understand how easily the situations can be taken advantage of. As much as we like to think that everyone working in adoption is in it because they want to help needy children, the reality is that adoption is a 'job' for many. There are many with good intentions and there are some lacking in the good intentions department."

Labels: pressures, risks, vulnerability

"The court's opinion says men believed to be a child's biological father must be notified of the mother's adoption plan, and that he has 30 days to file a paternity claim with the Putative Father Registry. If he does not file a claim with the registry, his parental rights may be terminated, the opinion states."

Labels: adoption rights, biological_parents, fathers

"[Attorney General Jay] Nixon said today the pamphlet was created to answer lingering questions that parents have about what can be a complicated process."

Labels: adoption costs, adoptive_parents, options

"But the many vocal critics of the first 'baby hatch' in Japan are afraid it may encourage parents to opt out of their responsibilities. And legal barriers and prejudice against adoption in Japan may mean that children abandoned in the 'baby hatch' will be raised in institutions rather than by adopted parents."

Labels: ancestry, influences, society

"Taking care of your child's hair will take some extra work and effort, but it is important that you do so. Doing so will not only show respect to your child's culture, but will also help your child build a healthy self esteem."

Labels: parenting, support, trans-racial

"'We believe this to be a substantial step in the direction of the stability of Russian adoption,' reads a statement on the web site of the International Assistance Group, one of the agencies that was reaccredited. The statement appears along with a copy of the agency's new accreditation document from the Education and Science Ministry, dated June 27."

Labels: adoption_agencies, international, Russia

"Post-placement support is critical to achieving the goal of finding permanent, stable, loving families for children, as well as maintaining those families who have already adopted. Parents need information that will strengthen their families, and enable them to handle the challenges of adoptive parenting... Founded in 1974 by adoptive parents, the North American Council on Adoptable Children is committed to meeting the needs of waiting children and the families who adopt them."

Labels: conferences, resources, support

"Critics say very young children are specifically selected - even before birth - by social workers to get the bonuses. It is believed that 1,000 each year are wrongly taken from their parents."

Labels: adoption_policy, critics, UK

"A prime example of severe adoption stress was created for families when Romania closed its doors to international adoptions. When this occurred, hundreds of families were caught in the pipeline, and their children were condemned to living in an institutional care environment despite the fact that there was a loving family somewhere in the world that had already developed a bond with them."

Labels: adoption_procedures, international, stress

"'I see this as a very good thing,' said Naderah Salim, CEO of the Children's Network... 'Anything we can do that shows the families and the children that you are valued. This is a big step for families... The more resources we can put into the hands of a family, the better they can take care of the children.'"

Labels: financial_assistance, money, support

"...here are some tips on finding the right adoption program for your family. Decide what age and gender child you are hoping for. Determine what your 'adoption budget' will be, and what you can and cannot afford in regards to adoption fees. Determine how long you can manage to travel..."

Labels: domestic_adoptions, international, tips