May 24, 2006
An Approach to Post-Adoption Services
This White Paper addresses the critical need for policy and practice aimed at achieving and sustaining stability and permanence for children through adoption. The focus on the needs of adoptive families at this time is an important one, given current public policy initiatives which, since 1996, have
led to significant increases in the number of children adopted and available for adoption. This paper reviews trends and issues in adoption today; identifies the needs of children waiting for adoption; describes the growing importance of post-adoption services for children and families; highlights
elements of responsive post-adoption services programs; and presents a set of post-adoption principles to guide the development of policy and practice recommendations that support systems change and enhance quality service delivery.