Advocacy

Adoption Support and Preservation Services

As part of its "Keeping the Promise" initiative, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute is launching a nationwide effort – in partnership with the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) – to preserve an essential tool for enabling children and youth to move from foster care into permanent, loving, successful families: state funding for adoption subsidies. more

The Adoption Institute submitted a letter to Maine officials in January 2013 in response to a proposed $1.4 million cut in adoption subsidies for 900 Maine families who have adopted children from foster care. more

The Adoption Institute submitted testimony on increasing adoptions from foster care to the Committee on Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on Human Resources related to its Feb. 27, 2013 hearing.

For the Records; Adult Adoptee Access to Birth Certificates

• The Institute held a panel discussion on restoring adult adoptee access to original birth certificates. more


• In January, the Adoption Institute provided written and in-person testimony by Executive Director Adam Pertman in Maryland on HB0022/ SB0165, explaining the state of professional knowledge on the availability (or lack thereof) of original birth certificates (OBCs) to adopted persons once they reach the age of majority. The Institute also submitted testimony in Washington state on SB 5118. The Institute’s advocacy on this issue is based on its research for two of its publications.
  • Washington SB 5118 OBC Letter to Senator Mike Carrell
  • Washington SB 5118 OBC Submitted Testimony
  • Maryland SB 165 Submitted Testimony
  • Maryland SB 165 OBC Letter to Senator Brian E. Frosh
  • Nebraska LB 385 Foster Care Fairness Act Submitted Testimony
  • Ohio SB 23 Submitted Testimony
  • Ohio HB 61 Submitted Testimony
  • Montana SB 384 Submitted Testimony
  • Washington HB 1525 OBC Testimony for Human Services & Corrections Committee

Policy & Practice

The Adoption Institute has been involved in formulating legislation, providing testimony and letters at the federal and state level on a variety of issues relating to adoption, as well as submitting information in legal cases. more