However, there has been a massive increase in negative feedback, particularly on platforms like TikTok. We’re here to dive deeper into why there has been a rise in adoption conversations on social media. And we’ll also take a look at how much adoption has changed throughout the years.

If you have any questions, contact us online to get more free information now.

Social Media and Adoption Explained

Using social media for adoption has undoubtedly changed the way we communicate and connect with each other. It has also been a useful tool for adoptive families to connect with birth parents, adoption agencies, and other families who have gone through the adoption process.

However, social media has also exposed some of the negative aspects of adoption. Social media influencer adoption has become increasingly popular, with many people sharing their adoption journeys with their followers. While this can be a positive way to raise awareness, many adoptees have turned to social media to share their experiences with adoption.

In the past, there was a lot of stigma surrounding adoption, and many adoptions were conducted in a secretive manner. This made it more common for adoptive families to choose a closed adoption, leaving adoptees to wonder about their past.

Adopted Children and Social Media

Now that adoption has been a hot topic on social media platforms like TikTok, adoptees are finding ways to express themselves and how they feel about adoption. Since they’re adopted themselves, they want to educate others on what it feels like to be adopted.

Adoption and the use of social media have become more common among adoptees that have had negative experiences with adoption. They use the platform to voice their concerns about adoption, and some even push for adoption reform. Although these experiences are valid, it’s important to recognize the evolution of adoption and what it consists of now.

Open adoption has become much more common than it was in the past. This allows adoptees to have access to information about their birth parents and their original birth certificate. Although this can’t eliminate adoptees’ trauma, it can help adoptees understand their identity and origin.

Adoptee Diana was placed in an open adoption in 1991. She continues to advocate for open adoption contact as it helped her have a positive view of adoption.

“I credit the openheartedness of my birth and adoptive families as the reason why I have such positive feelings toward my adoption,” Diana said. “There are a lot of adoptees who struggle with a lack of information and history, and many are also struggling with racial or cultural identity. If you’re considering adoption, you must first consider the needs of every type of adoptee and make sure that you’re ready to meet those needs.”

Benefit of Modern Day Adoptions

Despite the challenges associated with social media and adoption, adoption has drastically changed from how it was in the past. It can provide a loving home and a bright future for children who may not have had these opportunities otherwise.

Many national adoption agencies put birth mothers in control of the process. They’ll get to decide if they want to maintain contact with their child, whether they want to hold their baby after birth and much more. Birth mothers will also get access to free, 24/7 emotional support and counseling to ensure they’re 100% sure of their decision.

For adoptees, they’ll get the chance to build and maintain a connection with their birth parents. National adoption agencies recognize the benefits of open adoption contact for adoptees, which is why these agencies only work with adoptive parents who are comfortable with open adoption contact.

As adoptees grow and ask more questions about their adoption, it’s helpful for birth and adoptive parents to have a positive relationship. The decision to pursue an open adoption is the birth mother’s choice, and while these agencies will never force a birth mother into contact they aren’t comfortable with, there’s education available about how beneficial post-placement contact can be for themselves and their child. Contact an adoption agency today for more free information.

The post What to Know About Social Media and Adoption first appeared on Considering Adoption.

The Potential Effects of COVID-19 on Adoption

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. continues to rise, many families are starting to see an impact on their adoption processes. You should speak directly with your adoption professional about any changes to their policies or procedures and for more information about how coronavirus could affect your specific circumstances. Here, we have provided just a few potential scenarios that could happen if you are adopting during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus could impact your adoption if you are:

• Adopting internationally – Families adopting from China were among the first to feel the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. International adoption agencies began canceling travel for adoptive families as early as January, and as the virus has spread around the globe, more and more adoption programs have been experiencing delays and suspending their services. At this time, it is unclear how long these delays in international adoption may last. Adoptive parents should coordinate directly with their adoption service provider for guidance and information.
  
• Visiting a hospital for placement – Hopeful parents who are traveling to the hospital for an adoption opportunity with a prospective birth mother may face new restrictions as the spread of COVID-19 continues. Hospital policies are subject to change quickly and will likely vary from one hospital to the next. However, families should be prepared for potential limitations on the number of visitors allowed, reduced visiting hours and/or restrictions on visiting certain parts of the hospital. Potential birth and adoptive parents should continue to communicate with their adoption professionals about any changes in the hospital plan.
  
• Flying with a newborn – While there are currently no travel restrictions within the United States, some families pursuing domestic infant adoption have struggled to obtain the medical clearance necessary for them to fly home with their babies. Because of this, families traveling for an interstate adoption placement should be prepared to drive home with their newborns following ICPC. Consult with your doctor and the airline for more information on their specific policies.
• Adopting in the U.S. while living overseas – American citizens who are stationed abroad may also face challenges and delays in their adoptions from the U.S. Because of the new restrictions on travel from Europe, it may be difficult for families in certain countries to travel back to the U.S. for placement. These families should work with their adoption agency to understand whether they will be able to accept an adoption opportunity in the U.S. while travel restrictions are in place.
• Awaiting ICPC or finalization – ICPC clearance may be delayed for some adoptive parents, as some government offices may be impacted by the coronavirus. Similarly, court dates may be postponed for some adoptive families during this time. Reach out to the adoption agency or attorney who filed ICPC on your behalf and/or your finalizing attorney for any updates on the estimated timelines for these processes.
• Exhibiting symptoms – Regardless of the type of adoption they are pursuing, any adoptive parent exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus should notify their adoption professional immediately. The CDC is urging people who have symptoms of a respiratory illness to contact their healthcare providers and to stay home to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus. As such, any parent exhibiting symptoms should immediately contact their adoption professional and delay all adoption-related travel until a doctor confirms they can safely travel without spreading the illness.

What Should Adoptive Parents Do?

For many hopeful parents, the coronavirus can feel like one more unexpected development in a process that is already largely out of their control. However, there are a few things every adoptive parent can and should do during this time to put their minds at ease and keep themselves as healthy as possible:

• Follow CDC guidelines: All adoptive families, regardless of the type of adoption they are pursuing or where they are in the process, should continue to follow CDC guidelines and protocols to protect themselves and help reduce the spread of the virus.
• Communicate with your professionals: If you have specific questions about your agency’s policies on the coronavirus or how it may impact you in your specific circumstances, contact your adoption professional. In addition, you should communicate any developments in your own health or your adoption process to your professional as quickly as possible.
• Talk to your doctor: If you experience any symptoms of coronavirus (fever, tiredness, cough, etc.), you should contact your healthcare provider to determine next steps for receiving care. If you are concerned that your child or a prospective birth parent has been exposed to the coronavirus or is experiencing symptoms, your doctor can also address those concerns and educate you about any potential risk to your child.
• Stay up to date: Finally, remember that this is still a developing situation, and hospital and adoption agency policies could change at any time. Continue to follow the CDC and WHO for the latest information.

The post Could Coronavirus Impact Your Adoption? first appeared on Considering Adoption.

Special Needs Adoption in Foster Care

Adopting a child through foster care is a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity. You get the chance to build the family of your dreams while a child gets to feel the love from a family that they’ve always dreamed of.
There are many types of children available for adoption from foster care. But, how many of the children adopted from foster care are living with special needs?
If you’re thinking about becoming a foster parent, you should be prepared for any and all situations. And that includes a special needs adoption. In foster care, the term “special needs” don’t always refer to a disability. It can also include characteristics like being an older child, being part of a sibling group and needing to be placed together, or having a specific medical condition.
Because of this broad definition, many of the children in foster care have some type of special needs. In fact, according to the National Council for Adoption, the number of children adopted from a public agency with special needs hit almost 50,000 in 2014.

Special Needs Adoption in International Adoption

While most families think about foster care or private adoption, others consider adopting from another country. Although this used to be a popular way to grow a family, the rate of international adoptions continues to decline. Many countries are even shutting their doors entirely to U.S. couples looking to adopt a child.
However, there are still programs in place for families that are looking to adopt a child with special needs. If you’re considering a special needs adoption from another country, there’s a lot to think about. You’ll need to become familiar with the requirements for your chosen country, as well as the specific needs of your future child. It might be challenging, but it can be worth it in the end.
If you’re looking to adopt a child with special needs from another country, here a few programs to contact:

• MLJ Adoptions
• Holt International
• Nightlight Christian Adoptions

Special Needs Adoption in Private Adoption

Every year, thousands of prospective parents consider adopting a newborn or an infant. As a waiting parent pursuing a private adoption, you can choose what you’re comfortable with when it comes to the type of child you’re adopting. Your adoption specialist will work with you to find an opportunity that’s just right for your family.
If you’re thinking about adopting a child with special needs from a private agency, here are a few that you can contact:

• MLJ Adoptions
• Adopt American Network
• Adopt Special Needs

What You Can Do to Support National Developmental Disabilities Month

When you look at special needs adoptions across all types of adoption, the total comes to almost 70,000 in 2014. That’s huge! But, what can you do if you’re not ready to adopt?
There are plenty of ways that you can get involved today to support a child with special needs. Don’t forget to share your support of National Developmental Disabilities month on social media!
You might also think about starting a fundraiser in honor of this month. If you’re interested, get started with GoFundMe.
When starting your own fundraiser, remember to stay safe online. Here are a few tips for doing just that and for making sure your money goes to the right people.
If you are interested and ready to start your family-building journey, a trained adoption specialist would love to help. Reach out to one today to learn more about how you can adopt a child with special needs.

The post National Developmental Disabilities Month: Special Needs Adoption first appeared on Considering Adoption.

• How to Claim the Adoption Tax Credit
• Adoption Tax Credit 2019 Guide
• Claiming the Federal Adoption Tax Credit for 2019

Please note: We are not tax professionals, so the information in this article is not intended to be nor should be used as financial advice.

The post What to Know About the 2019 Adoption Tax Credit first appeared on Considering Adoption.

What is Orphan Hosting?

Orphan hosting brings a child to the U.S. to help get them exposure and, hopefully, get them adopted. Typically, hosting lasts for about four to five weeks during the summer. There are also holiday programs available for families who want to give a child the gift of being loved during the hardest times of the year.
In some cases, hosting a child from a different country can even lead to adoption, which is a bonus for families who have adoption as their end goals.
Orphan hosting is a life-changing experience for children around the world and an incredibly eye-opening experience for the families that welcome these children into their lives. If you’ve always thought about helping a child from another country, this is one of the best ways to do so.
This program allows your family to share the gift of togetherness with a child in need. Not only does it allow a child to expand their horizons, it also gives them the amazing opportunity to feel the love of a family for the very first time.

How Does Orphan Hosting Work?

Hosting an orphan from another country is easier than it sounds.
Host families often need to meet certain eligibility requirements. Before you can host, you should expect to provide some information — including your health history, financial situation, education and more. You can learn more about what those requirements are here.
If you’re thinking about this path, you can learn more about becoming a volunteer here. You can also learn more about opportunities to become a backup host family, a chaperone host family and an airport coordinator. There are also a few other organizations you might think about working with if you’re hoping to host a child from another country:

• Madison Adoption Associates
• Kidsave
• Nightlight Christian Adoptions
• New Horizons for Children

How You Can Get Involved Today

There are plenty of ways that you can show your support for World Orphan Week!
As with any organization, one of the hardest parts about World Orphan Week is making the message known. You can do your part by spreading the word on social media or in your own community. You can also share fact sheets, flyers and brochures about World Orphan Week with people you know. Education is one of the best places to start, so don’t be afraid to share what you know.
Another option is to start your own fundraiser for orphaned children around the world. This can be a great way to show how much you care.  There are plenty of platforms, like GoFundMe, CrowdRise and YouCaring, that you can use to get started. Like with anything on the internet, however, it’s important to stay safe. Transfer all funds directly, keep track of everything you donate, and protect yourself from online scams. For more tips on how to stay safe, start here.
If you’re thinking about starting a fundraiser for a specific organization, here are a few names to check out:

• Kidsave
• Orphan Hosting
• Back2Black Ministries

Of course, there isn’t a limit to what you can do to show your support. Feel free to get creative for this year’s World Orphan Week!

The post What is Orphan Hosting? first appeared on Considering Adoption.

The post News: Coronavirus Impacts International Adoption first appeared on Considering Adoption.

The ReMoved Film Series — and the Birth of an Anthology

Back in 2013, the Matanicks were in the midst of their own foster care journey — the journey to become foster parents. Along the way, they were inspired to share the voices of the kinds of children they were trying to help. Thus, “ReMoved” was born.
It’s a short film that focuses on a young girl, removed from her family and placed in foster care. The film flashes back and forth between her current placement at a home with a well-meaning foster parent and the trauma she experienced back at her biological mother’s house.

“There were so many people asking us, ‘Why would you be willing to become foster parents?’ The first film was kind of our answer to that,” Christina says. “Sure, it will be hard for us, but imagine what it will be like for that child.”
The Matanicks went on to make two more “ReMoved” films since then. Along the way, they received their first foster placement, who they officially adopted two years later.
Their film series began to draw traction, too. Soon, the Matanicks were receiving constant emails from those who have been affected by foster care, sharing their stories of heartbreak and thanking the filmmakers for expressing their experiences in such a realistic way.
It got the couple thinking: They shouldn’t be the only ones reading these stories. So, they put the ReMoved Anthology in motion.

Creating the Anthology — And Making Waves

The Matanicks put out a call, asking foster care youth for their honest stories. They received hundreds of submissions of art and writing, telling each person’s individual truth and experience.
But, to make the project a reality, they needed the funds. So, they created a Kickstarter to publish the book. More than 600 backers pledged more than $70,000 to help make “The Removed Anthology Project” a reality.
The Matanicks worked with artists worldwide to create the book, which was published in May 2019. Since then, it’s sold more than 3,500 copies, most one-by-one.
Each page contains a compelling story, but one of Christina’s favorite comes from a foster youth named Katie, who recalls the impact her social worker had during the toughest moments of her life:
My last social worker never gave up on me, even though I barely graduated high school. I remember her telling me, “You are more than just your story.” Because I knew I mattered to my social worker, I decided to go to community college… My social worker inspired me to be the caseworker I wanted when I was younger.
Reading Katie’s story, Christina says, “I think that’s profound, to say that you’re not just the sum of what happened to you… Who you are yourself is more than just what you’ve experienced.”
But the couple’s work doesn’t stop with this anthology. They’re continuing to develop more films, including a foster care documentary with Northwestern University about foster youth transitioning out of the system upon adulthood. The Matanicks also encourage foster care professionals, parents, and advocates to use their films for training and awareness. Christina urges individuals to assist their local foster care systems however they can — by becoming a foster parent or resource family, by donating to local organizations, or simply being a supportive figure to any parent or child struggling in your community.
“We’ve just been really inspired and amazed by people that have really gone through awful, awful things, but have overcome and chosen to give back and to make a difference and to try to help other kids… not be alone and know that there’s hope,” Christina says.
You can order “The Removed Anthology Project” online here.

The post The Story Behind the ReMoved Anthology Project first appeared on Considering Adoption.

Like similar “religious freedom” bills presented across the nation over the last few years, Tennessee’s bill prohibits requiring any private child-placing agency in the state to place children for foster care or adoption if doing so violates “the agency’s written religious or moral convictions.” The legislation also prevents the state from denying a license or government grant to agencies if it refuses a placement on those grounds.

Supporters of the bill argue it will protect the religious freedoms of agencies, but critics point out what many in the adoption industry already know — that LGBT individuals adopt out of the foster care system at a higher rate than heteronormative individuals. The bill, they argue, will make it harder for children to find the supportive, welcoming homes they need, especially after years in the foster care system.

The Human Rights Campaign, one of the most prominent LGBT-rights advocacy organizations, has released a report questioning whether or not this discrimination violates that widely-held “best interests of the child” standard.

This bill comes on the heels of similar proposals in other states and a national proposal from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in late 2019. Republican Gov. Bill Lee has 10 days after receiving the bill to sign or veto it, but his office has already told local paper The Tennessean that he will sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk.

The post Tennessee Passes Bill Allowing LGBT-Discrimination in Adoption first appeared on Considering Adoption.

The post Republic of Congo Joins Hague Convention Countries first appeared on Considering Adoption.

1. U.S. Legalized Same-Sex Marriage, Protecting LGBT Adoption

After decades of civil rights fights, LGBT individuals finally received the ability to marry a person of the same sex, thanks to the landmark ruling of Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. But this ruling not only allowed LGBT couples to get married; it also changed how they could build their families.
Many LGBT would-be families were prohibited from adopting with certain agencies and departments prior to this ruling — but it wasn’t outwardly because of their sexual orientation. Instead, many adoption professionals required that adoptive couples be married to be eligible. So, when LGBT individuals could not marry in their own state, they were effectively prohibited from adoption.
Obergefell v. Hodges changed that forever. Now, LGBT individuals can marry in any state and have their union upheld throughout the U.S. They also have the right to adopt as a married couple, if they so desire. While there are still battles to won for discrimination based on religious beliefs, and international adoption presents a whole different set of challenges, LGBT individuals are freer than ever to build their family the way they want to in the United States.

2. International Adoption Continued to Decline

It’s no secret that international adoption numbers have been on the decline. In fact, the U.S. Department of State released numbers this year showing that international adoptions have declined more than 84 percent since 2004. That number is only expected to grow in the years to come.
There are a few reasons for this. Throughout the last 10 years, politics have played a huge role. In 2012, Russia banned Americans from adopting Russian children, stopping adoptions from one of the most popular countries for American would-be parents. Before 2012, Americans had completed more than 46,000 Russian adoptions. The ban was a result of strained diplomatic relationships between the two countries for years, and it doesn’t appear to be reversed anytime soon.
Russia isn’t the only country cracking down on international adoption. In the last 10 years, major countries such as Ethiopia, China, South Korea and Guatemala have either completely banned or set major restrictions on international adoption to the U.S. It’s a reflection of recent investigations into unethical adoption practices and processes, many of which harm the child at the center of the process.
Of course, issues with international adoption aren’t just confined to children adopted within the last decade. With the increased pressure on undocumented residents in the U.S., many international adoptees in their 20s and 30s have discovered they actually aren’t American citizens — and some have even been deported to their countries of birth.
Without major change, it appears that international adoption is a family-building process on its way out.

3. DNA and Ancestry Testing Became Commercialized

The 2010s saw the explosion of services like 23andMe and Ancestry, designed to help the everyday person connect with their biological heritage. But these services were especially important for the millions of adoptees with no connection to their birth family. Countless stories were reported over the last 10 years about adoptees and birth parents being reunited after years and even decades of searching for each other.
While DNA testing services bring positives for many adoptees and birth families, they’ve also changed the closed adoption landscape. Today, birth parents that choose a closed adoption (or semi-open adoption with limited contact) aren’t provided the same privacy as they might have been decades ago. Today, any birth family can be found with a quick swipe of the cheek, leading to just as many disappointing reunions as joyful ones. DNA testing services have also caused just as much heartbreak among those who may not have known they were adopted, revealing unfaithful spouses and untruthful parents.

4. Social Media Made Adoption More Open

On the same note, social media services like Facebook allowed for greater access to family connections than ever before. While DNA services may have revealed who biological relatives were, social media allowed adoptees to easily find and contact them in a neutral space.
Social media has also become a great contact option for developing and maintaining open adoption relationships. The ease of sending messages and photos back and forth has allowed adoptive parents to keep their children’s birth parents up-to-date on their children’s lives, without all the back-and-forth required with agency mediation.
It’s also a source for good when it comes to sharing positive adoption stories. We’ve all seen the viral stories of successful adoption hearings, reunions and more. Social media allows that positivity to be easily spread to millions of people, bringing more awareness about the adoption process and helping people understand just how wonderful it really is.

5. Access to Original Birth Certificates Increased

For decades, adoption legislation favored the rights of a birth parent to remain anonymous — without considering the negative effects that privacy would have on an adoptee searching for their biological identity. Fortunately, advocates have made great strides in the last decade to protect an adoptee’s right to their original birth certificate and birth information.
New York is just one of the most recent states to open up adoption records. Over the last 10 years, states including New Jersey, Indiana, Oregon, and Pennsylvania have opened up adoptees’ access to original birth certificates. While the national landscape for openness in adoption records is more progressive than ever, there are still dozens of states that restrict an adoptee’s rights to their most basic personal information. But new legislation is in the works in several states, and we hope to see the trend of openness continuing in the 2020s.

6. Adoption Stories Took a Forefront in Pop Culture

This decade saw the premiere of our favorite adoption-themed TV show: “This is Us.” Following the story of parents Rebecca and Jack and children Kevin, Kate and Randall, the show addresses all the complications and joys of a transracial adoption, from birth to decades later. And, like with many popular adoption references in the 2010s, writers on the show aren’t afraid to show the challenges of adoption and its reality in the U.S. today.
Take “Lion,” for example. It’s a movie based on a true story of an adopted Indian boy, who returns to his home country in search of the birth parents he was accidentally separated from at an early age. The movie includes all the heartbreak of losing and eventually finding birth family, as well as the complications that brings to the son’s relationship with his adoptive parents. Other standouts from the decade include “Philomena,” “Instant Family,” and the “Despicable Me” series.

—

The 2010s was a great decade for adoption. It ushered in some major changes that will carry through in the years and decades to come. Here at Considering Adoption, we’re excited for a future where adoption is a normalized, positive part of everyday life.
What were some of your favorite adoption moments from this decade? Let us know in the comments!

The post Adoption in the 2010s: The Biggest Changes We’ve Seen This Decade first appeared on Considering Adoption.