October 02, 2013
Adoption News Round-up!
Here’s a round-up of the most interesting news to hit the adoption world this week:
Have you heard about adoption parties? Where difficult to place children meet potential adoptive parents for a meet and greet of sorts that allows them to get to know one another better, and even potentially find their new parents/child. In the UK, as reported by The Independent, these parties have definitely been a success, with many children finding adoption and many parents finding the child they’ve been waiting for. But some have criticized the practice, calling them “beauty parades.”
At least there’s the “quiet room”. This designated classroom is set aside for adopters to take a breather if it all gets too emotional, as well as to look through the booklet of profiles of children they take a shine to or to talk to a social worker to learn a bit more about them.
For the most part, though, it’s the excitement and magic of the day that rubs off on everyone, including me. “This little ‘un has been up since 6am asking when it starts,” says one foster carer, laughing, as she watches him run round ecstatically in circles.
What do you think? Would you ever participate in an adoption party?
What an incredible, heartbreaking, empowering story. This man, who was horrifically abused as a child and adopted at age 4, is now working with foster youth. It is an incredible thing when someone can turn something devastating into something so filled with heart and goodness.
The case surrounding Baby Veronica’s adoption seemingly has no end. Although Baby Veronica has been handed over to her adopted parents, the Capobiancos are now seeking compensation from Veronica’s birth father, Dusten Brown, for expenses incurred during the legal proceedings and the time spent awaiting court when he was sequestering her in another state. This has been a very involved saga, and we’re just hoping that everyone will be able to move forward and find their peace.
Senator Deb Fischer has introduced legislation that would ensure family planning services would effectively promote adoption. “Adoption forever changes the lives of countless children in need of a good home and parents who feel the call to form or enrich a loving family,” said Senator Fischer. “Unfortunately, many individuals utilizing family planning services do not receive adequate information about this important opportunity for birth and adoptive parents. It is critical that those seeking these services are informed of all options available to them. This legislation helps make sure the option of adoption is effectively promoted.” Have you ever had a family planning experience where adoption wasn’t supported as an option?
It’s being reported that many US-born children are find homes in other countries, because foreign nations are more likely to adopt Black and Asian-American children than US families. In some ways we are more open than other countries, because of our support of same-sex adoption, but when it comes to race, it shows we still have a long way to go.