Policy & Practice: Policy & Practice Papers
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute periodically publishes Policy Perspectives briefs focusing on important and timely questions in adoption. By examining key issues the Institute furthers its effort to provide accurate, research-based information, enhance understanding and perception of adoption, and work for better laws, policies and practices. The following is a listing of briefs conducted and published by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute with the most recent study listed first. For inquiries and questions, please email info@adoptioninstitute.org.
To see a comprehensive listing of all Institute publications organized by topic see Publications, or to view a listing of original research conducted by the Institute, see Institute Research. For a listing of current Institute initiatives, see Programs & Projects and other Institute products including conferences, books and events.Title: Adoptive Parent Preparation Project Phase I: Meeting the Mental Health and Developmental Needs of Adopted Children
Author: David BrodzinksyPublished: 2008 February. New York NY: Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Document Type: Policy Brief (18 pages)
Availability: PDF Full Report | Web Page | Press Release
This publication, released in February, represents the initial phase of a broad, long-term Institute project designed to shape best-practice standards that will assist adoption professionals in the preparation and education of adoptive parents. This policy and practice paper outlines best practices for preparing adoptive parents to meet the mental health and developmental needs of their children.
Title: Adoption in the Schools: A Lot to Learn
Authors: Susan Livingston Smith, Debbie RileyPublished: 2006 September. New York: Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Document Type: Policy Perspective
Availability: PDF Full Report | Web Page | Press release
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute released this Policy Perspective brief in September 2006 which for the first time brings together research and years of broad experience on a range of issues that affect millions of boys and girls nationwide. The report points out that, as adoption becomes increasingly normalized in the United States, more and more adoptive families are confronting challenges when their children attend school - and it offers recommendations for how educators can better meet those challenges. The report also states that educating educators about the realities of adoption is a diversity issue and also a fairness issue, because adopted and foster children are sometimes derided in ways we would never accept if the taunting or stereotyping referred to other aspects of their being - such as race, gender, ethnicity, religion or disability.
Title: Expanding Resources for Children: Is Adoption By Gays and Lesbians Part of the Answer for Boys and Girls Who Need Homes?
Author: Jeanne HowardPublished: 2006 March. New York: Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Document Type: Policy Perspective
Availability: Executive Summary | PDF Full Report | Web Page | Press release
This Policy Perspective brief provides a research-based context for the ongoing debate in the United States over the adoption of children by gays and lesbians. The report examined relevant issues, laws and practices relating to gay and lesbian adoption and parenting, and review of the available studies spanning the last several decades. The report found no child-centered reason to prevent gays and lesbians from becoming adoptive parents, and recommends that gay and lesbian parents be utilized more extensively to provide permanent, loving homes for children living in state care across the country. This policy brief is part of a larger, more extensive yearlong project on theses issues.
Title: Intercountry Adoption in Emergencies: The Tsunami Orphans
Author: Hollee McGinnisPublished: 2005 April. New York, NY: The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption
Document Type: Policy Perspectives
Availability: PDF Full Report
This policy brief examines the role of intercountry adoption in situations such as the one caused by the massive tsunami that struck Southeast Asia and the eastern coast of Africa on Dec. 26, 2004 - that is, during natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other complex human emergencies. By outlining some of the unique threats posed to children during emergencies, and examining existing international conventions and the legal framework for intercountry adoption, this brief articulates best practices that incorporate both immediate and long-term needs of children left without parental care - including protection, family reunification, community and family solutions, permanency, and respect for culture.
Title: Safeguarding Interstate Adoptions: The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
Author: Susan Livingston SmithPublished: 2005 April; Revised 2005 June
Document Type: Policy Perspectives
Availability: PDF Full Report
The primary safeguard to regulate the adoption of boys and girls from one state to another is the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC). For a large number of foster children, finding permanent families requires moving in with relatives or other families outside their own states. For these children, accomplishing permanency is a more complicated process, requiring the cooperation of child welfare agencies and judicial systems in two jurisdictions. The ICPC was created four decades ago, and the pressure to expedite interjurisdictional placements has finally built to the point where serious efforts are now being undertaken to reform the process. This policy brief outlines the relevant issues in an effort to inform the discussion during current efforts to improve the ICPC system.
Title: Reforming the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children: A New Framework for Interstate Adoption
Author: Madelyn FreundlichPublished: No date
Document Type: Policy Perspectives
Availability: Web Page
This article by former Executive Director Madelyn Freundlich examines the ICPC in relation to the role it has played and could play in promoting permanency for children through adoption. It also considers the purpose of the ICPC in relation to adoption, as well as the legal and practice issues that have arisen as attempts have been made to apply the ICPC.
Title: The Future of Adoption for Children in Foster Care: Demographics in a Changing Socio-Political Environment
Author: Madelyn FreundlichPublished: 1998
Document Type: Policy Perspectives
Availability: Web Page
This article examines the forces likely to have an impact on the adoption of children in foster care and considers the implications of policy and practice in a changing economic and sociopolitical
Title: Wrongful Adoption: Litigation/Practice Issues
Author: Madelyn Freundlich, Lisa PetersonPublished: Presented at the American Bar Association's Ninth National Conference on Children and the Law, Sheraton City Centre, Washington, DC, April 8-10, 1999.
Document Type: Presentation Paper
Availability: Web Page
This is an article was written as a synopsis based on the book by the Adoption Institute and published through the Child Welfare League of America, Wrongful Adoption: Law, Policy and Practice.
Title: Confidentiality Statutes
Author: Fred GreenmanPublished: 1997
Document Type: Resource Paper
Availability: Web Page
Information on various confidentiality statutes surrounding adoptive parents' control over confidentiality. It also describes various state statutes that for adoptions that are annulled, and confidentiality ends.
Title: Open Records Laws and Voluntary Registries
Author: Madelyn FreundlichPublished: 1997
Document Type: Policy Perspectives
Availability: Web Page
A review article of pending legislation and open record laws in the United States.
Title: Putative Father Registries
Author: Evan B. Donaldson Adoption InstitutePublished: 1997
Document Type: Resource Paper
Availability: Web Page
A complete listing of states with putative father registries and links to statute text.
Title: A Summary of State Laws on Access to Identifying Information and State Registries
Author: Evan B. Donaldson Adoption InstitutePublished: 1997
Document Type: Resource paper
Availability: Web Page
Connect to links of states with varying adoption-oriented laws regarding registries, search, notice, and consent procedures.
Title: Clinical Mediation
Author: Madelyn FreundlichPublished: Presented at the New York State Citizens Coalition for Children, Albany, New York, May 14-15, 1999.
Document Type: Powerpoint Presentation
Availability: Web Page
A slideshow presentation on the key characteristics, uses, and processes of Clinical Mediation.
