Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute

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Watch the webinar:
Dr. Bruce Perry answers questions for
adoptive parents on Monday, February 1st
Read our Press Release:
Institute Offers Condolences,
Suggests Prior Emergencies Offer Lessons for Haiti
Read our Paper:
Intercountry Adoptions in Emergencies

Finding Families for African American Children

Adoptive Parent Preparation: Meeting the Mental Health and Developmental Needs of Adopted Children

For the Records: Restoring a Right to Adult Adoptees

Safeguarding the Rights and Well-Being of Birthparents in the Adoption Process

Adoption in the Schools: A Lot to Learn

Expanding Resources for Children: Is Adoption by Gays and Lesbians Part of the Answer for Boys and Girls Who Need Homes?

Listening to Parents: Overcoming Barriers to the Adoption of Children from Foster Care

Intercountry Adoption in Emergencies: The Tsunami Orphans

Safeguarding Interstate Adoptions: The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children

What’s Working for Children: A Policy Study of Adoption Stability and Termination

Adoption by Gays and Lesbians: A National Survey of Adoption Agency Policies, Practices and Attitudes

Unintended Consequences: 'Safe Haven' Laws Are Causing Problems, Not Solving Them

2002 National Adoption Attitudes Survey

The Gathering of the First Generation of Adult Korean Adoptees: Adoptees’ Perceptions of International Adoption

November 2009

BEYOND CULTURE CAMP: PROMOTING HEALTHY IDENTITY FORMATION IN ADOPTION, released in November 2009, this study is the broadest, most extensive examination of adult adoptive identity to date, based on input from the primary experts on the subject: adults who were adopted as children. more

Don't Miss These Other Major Reports...

OLD LESSONS FOR A NEW WORLD: APPLYING ADOPTION RESEARCH AND EXPERIENCE TO ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY, released in February 2009, suggests that the knowledge derived from adoption-related research and experience can be used to improve policy and practice in the world of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as sperm, egg and embryo "donations" and identifies several areas in which adoption's lessons could be applied. more

EXPANDING RESOURCES FOR WAITING CHILDREN II: ELIMINATING LEGAL & PRACTICE BARRIERS TO GAY & LESBIAN ADOPTION FROM FOSTER CARE, released in September 2008 offers recommendations to increase the pool of prospective adoptive parents for children in foster care by changing state laws and agency practices so they become more welcoming of gay and lesbian applicants. more

UPDATE: JANUARY E-NEWSLETTER

The January 2010 Adoption Institute E-Newsletter is now available. more
To access past issues, go to our archive.

PRESS: CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE AND ADOPTION INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) and the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute announced today that they are forming a strategic partnership to enhance the efficacy of their current work, to forge important new projects together, and to increase the overall impact of two of the nation's leading organizations dedicated to helping children and families. more

PRESS: LIFECARE AND ADOPTION INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

Two highly respected national organizations - LifeCare, Inc. and the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute - today announced a unique partnership designed to enhance service offerings to and best practices by corporations throughout the United States relating to adoption, foster parenting and diversity in family life. more

EVENTS: STAFF APPEARANCES

Our Executive Director Adam Pertman and senior staff frequently have appearances throughout the country. more

2009 ANNUAL REPORT

The Institute has released its Annual Report. Read about our accomplishments and consider contributing to our important work. more

HOST AN EVENT

If you are interested in hosting an event in your area, please contact External Relations Director Laura James at ljames@adoptioninstitute.org. And if parties are not "your thing," we welcome direct support of our work.more

ADOPTIVE PARENT PREPARATION

The Institute is working to make sure that adoptive placements are successful and permanent by shaping best-practice standards and providing training materials to assist adoption professionals in the preparation and support of adoptive parents. Trainings for professionals are now available or access a free copy of our timely report. For additional information on this initiative, contact Research & Project Director David Brodzinsky.

SUPPORTS FOR FAMILIES AFTER ADOPTION

With seed funding from Harmony Adoption Services, the Institute is working on two projects on post-adoption services. In one, we are completing a comprehensive review of existing research on the needs of families after adoption and the range of services and interventions that have been developed to address those needs. We also are near completion of an in-depth study entitled "Helping Families Adopting the Most Challenging Children," which examines those who have adopted from foster care and have received therapeutic adoption preservation services. Contact Executive Director Adam Pertman for more information.

EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ADOPTEES
AND BIRTHPARENTS

Our unprecedented research is expanding the understanding of key policies and practices that are most helpful to birthmothers/fathers during the adoption process and throughout their lives, while our research and advocacy work aims to help adult adoptees gain access to their original birth certificates. For more information on our birthparent initiative, contact Program & Project Director Susan Smith; for information on adoptee access to birth certificates initiatives, contact Executive Director Adam Pertman.

EXPANDING RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN
IN FOSTER CARE

Several projects are helping to increase the pool of adoptive parents for the more than 129,000 children waiting for permanent homes, including removing barriers to adoption by gay and lesbian prospective parents, and supporting diligent recruitment of African-American adoptive families.

EDUCATE THE EDUCATORS &
ADOPTION IN THE MEDIA

The Institute works to improve curricula and create a more supportive school environment for children who were adopted and/or in foster care. We also work with journalists to provide up-to-the-minute research and help them present a more accurate picture of adoption.