Adoption
This web page is contains links to information on the adoption of children by the federal and state governments.
Federal government links
How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option is published by the National Endowment for Financial Education and provides information on What It Costs including sources of help with adoption expenses. It also describes different Kinds of Adoption.
The IRS has Publication 968, Tax Benefits for Adoption which explains how to qualify for a $5000 tax credit for adoptive parents and a tax break for employers with an adoption assistance program.
PL 105-89, Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on November 19, 1997. This act was designed to protect children in foster care from abuse and to provide incentives to the states for increasing the number of adoptions and "alternative permanent placements.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has much information on the federal government's interest in adoption. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation publishes the Catalog of Federal Government Assistance which contains listings for 93.596 Adoption Assistance (provides Federal Financial Participation (FFP) to States in the adoption subsidy costs) and 93.652: Adoption Opportunities (to provide financial support for demonstration projects to improve adoption practices; to gather information on adoptions; and to provide training and technical assistance to improve adoption services). The Administration of Children and Families, a division of DHHS, has information on the federal government's initiatives to increase the number of adoptions. Adoption 2002 is the DHHS blueprint for doubling by the year 2002 the number of children adopted or placed in other permanent homes each year. The Children's Bureau provides grants to states, tribes, and communities for a variety of child welfare programs including adoption. Its website includes information on how to become a foster or adoptive parent as well as foster care and adoption statistics.
State Agencies
The following states did not appear to have websites for state agencies concerning adoption: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Alabama Department of Human Resources, Division of Adult, Child, Family Services, Office of Adoption briefly describes the program.
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services, Profiles of Arkansas Children Awaiting Adoption a little information besides photolistings
California Department of Social Services, Adoptions Branch briefly describes the program.
Connecticut Department of Children and Families provides links to information about adoption and photolistings.
Florida Department of Children and Families Child Adoption Program extensive informationand photolistings. Links to adoption related sites.
Georgia Department of Human Resources, Office of Adoptions provides extensive information about Georgia's adoption program as well as a featured child.
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Adoption provides extensive information and brief photolistings.
Iowa Department of Human Services - Adoption provides statistics on their program.
Kansas Department of Social and Rehabiliation Services, Children and Family Services provides brief description.
Lousiana Department of Social Services, Child Welfare Services briefly describes the program.
Maryland Department of Human Resources, Adoption Services provides extensive information and photolistings.
Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange briefly describes program.
Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services provides photolistings as well as a plea for foster homes.
Nebraska Health and Human Services System Department of Services, Adoption in Nebraska provides information and photolistings.
Nevada Department of Human Resources, Division of Child and Family Services - Adoptions provides extensive information, related links, and photolistings.
New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Youth and Family Services, Adoption provides a little information about adoption and has extensive photolisting.
New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families, Division, Adopt a Child provides extensive information and photolisting.
New York State Department of Family Assistance Adoption Services includes extensive information and photolisting of children.
North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Division of Social Services, Adoption Services provides description of program.
Oregon's State Office for Services to Children and Familes, Adoption and Permanancy includes photolistings and adoption statistics.
South Carolina Department of Social Services Adoption Services provides description of program.
South Dakota Office of Child Protection provides extensive information, links to other resources, and photolistings.
Tennessee Department of Children's Services - Adoption provides extensive information and photolistings.
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services Texas Adoption Resource Exchange provides extensive information and photolistings.
Utah Department of Human Services, Adoption Information briefly describes adoption and gives address for more help.
Vermont Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services has links to a page briefly describing adoption and a photolisting.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Children and Family Services, Adoption extensive information.
Adoption Information Registries
Maryland's Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry
New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services Adoption Registry
New York State Adoption Information Registry
Oregon's Voluntary Adoption Registry
Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics' Central Adoption Registry
By Cynthia Luckie 12-98