Adoption Reform

Legislative Reform

Adoption law is state law, and the federal government also enacts laws that affect states in an umbrella capacity regarding the adoption of children in the U.S. foster care system and the adoption of Native American children. Implementation of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption will bring the federal government more directly into the international process as well.

Practice Reform

Adoption practice - best interest, ethics, openness, etc. - are also under the microscope of reformers who work to ensure that the rights and needs of children and families are observed and respected.

There are several organizations that do an excellent job of keeping up with both legislative and practice reform affecting adoption and foster care:

• The National Center for Adoption Law & Policy
• The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
• The Child Welfare League of America
• The Joint Council on International Child Adoption
• Ethica

Other groups such as the National Foster Parents Association, the New York Coalition of Concerned Citizens, and the Adoptive Parents Committee also track and report on reform efforts as they relate to their specific areas of interest.

If you're interested in following reform efforts, we invite you to subscribe to AdoptionWeek eMagazine where many of these are reported on a weekly basis.