Considering   Adoption *


          NATIONAL   AGENCIES

        All You Need To Know About Adoption
        • developed by the Dept. of Health & Human Services
        • meets the needs of prospective / adoptive parents, adoptees, birth
          parents, and social workers
        • covers essential information such as laws, statistics, directory
          information for public officials, public and private agencies
        • lists adoption support groups, and various national organizations
        • privides a bibiographic database with citations and abstracts of
          over 4,500 documents
        • includes books, journal articles, and technical reports
        • there is a button for the National Adoption Directory

        Adoptive Families
        • targeted at prospective and current adoptive parents
        • features stories of adoptive parents' experiences
        • tips for adoptive travel, and how to deal with a reluctant spouse
        • finding the right adoption attorney and getting help with expenses

          INTERNATIONAL   AGENCIES

        International Adoption Information Group
        • deals with different political and legal systems
        • being underinformed can have painful consequenses
        • the site is primarily a photolisting service
        • contains guidelines for selecting an adoption professional
          and information about costs, time line, etc.

          ALTERNATE   SITES

        AdoptUSKids
        • if you look specifically for photolistings of adoptable children
        • is excluselivly a national photolisting service for children
          awaiting adoption accross the United States
        • sponsored by the U.S. Children's Bureau
        • began 2002 - features a databases of children who are currently
          in foster care

        The Adoption Exchange
        • excellent regional site
        • since laws vary from state to state, it's important to look at the
          information available locally
        • stresses adopting in your region if there's intention to continue
          contact with members of the birth family
        • finally, you can become familiar with the adoption community
          in your area

          OPEN   ADOPTION - ADOPTING   ON   YOUR   OWN

        Adopting On Your Own
        • is a great resource for single people
        • it covers myths, things to consider, and resources

        American Association of Open Adoption Agencies
        • this bare-bone site has both useful information and links

        PACT - An Adoption Alliance
        • specializes in transracial adoption
        • focuses on nurturing healthy, stable adoptions

            * selected from Library Journal April 1, 2003 - p. 32 - 34
      B H