There will be many developments in adoption in the coming year. Not only are countries’ adoption policies continually changing, but the face of international adoption itself may be changed by implementation of the Hague Convention on International Adoptions. (I once thought I’d write a blog about this treaty, but now realize it’s an immense topic that we’ll work our way through together as I share bits of my research.)
States continue to search for ways to deal with the exploding foster care population. Some organizations and individuals are founding innovative programs to help teens in foster care. I’ll write about some more of those ideas in the coming year.
Several states also have recent or pending legislation regarding the opening of adoptees’ original birth records at the parties’ request. And speaking of legislation, will the tax credit for adoptive families be renewed? At over $10,000 per family, that’s no small question. Legislation has also been introduced that would provide more parents with paid work leave for adoption as well as childbirth.
Children adopted in the first wave of adoptions from countries such as China and Russia are growing up. Their experiences as young adults can pave the way for other adoptive families, as can the experience of growing up in an open adoption.
Products and services designed to meet the needs of adoptive families continue to expand. From multicultural resources and toys, to adoption announcements, alternative family tree assignments and other resources for schools, to children’s language resources and even a graduate-level Certificate Program in Adoption Issues for counselors, more help will be available than ever before. More companies are also offering adoption assistance as part of their benefits package.
Finally, adoption is attracting research attention—and much of the new research studying adoptees is more positive than the media would have us believe. Researchers continue to study ways to help adoptees with learning and language challenges and with the effects of trauma and/or institutionalization.
It will be an exciting year. I hope to learn with you, to share with you, and to hear from you.
Happy New Year to you and your families.
Please see these related blogs:
New Year’s Resolutions for Adoptive Families
Investigating Maternity Leave Options