The Collaboration to AdoptUS Kids is part of a the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. In October 2002, The Children’s Bureau contracted with The Adoption Exchange Association and its partners (The Collaboration to (AdoptUSKids) to devise and implement a national adoptive family recruitment and retention strategy, operate the AdoptUSKids.org website, encourage and enhance adoptive family support organizations and conduct a variety of adoption research projects. In April 2005, the Spanish Adoption Campaign was started and there was a tremendous response to this campaign with many Spanish families inquiring about the adoption process.
Of the estimated 530,000 children who have been separated from their birth parents and placed in foster care, about 118,000 can never return to their original homes. They need the nurturing and support that a permanent family can provide, and deserve a chance to grow up feeling secure and loved. It’s not so much about finding a child for a family but instead finding the most suitable family for each child waiting.
Key Components of The Collaboration to AdoptUSKids include:
Parent Support Network: Provide annual mini-grant awards to parent support groups
Develop network of support groups nationally through leadership training and information sharing
Research:Identify barriers for families throughout the entire process
Determine factors that lead to adoptive family success
Adoption & Foster Care Recruitment Summit Annual conference for adoption and foster care program managers and other stake holders: Provide a forum for best practice related to all aspects of recruitment.
Read about the Hurricane Relief Project
Contact us:
Elaine S. McClay, LCSW-BACS - Program Manager for the Independent Living Program - Ext. 257 AdoptUSkids - RRT (Registered Response Team Member)
Diane Swayzer Smith, M.Ed., RSW Independent Living Specialist - Ext. 255 AdoptUSkids - RRT (Registered Response Team Member)
4727 Revere Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Tel.: 225.924.0123
Fax: 225.924.5455
