Barriers and Interventions

The children that are wards of the government and states are relying on social workers and policy makers to ensure that they are given the best opportunities to be placed with a family that suites their needs in a safe and loving manner. However, more than 400,000

children are currently in the foster care system and many are losing hope in their advocates. 2 Specifically, adolescent children are less likely to be adopted and more likely to decline to consent-to-adopt. It is the responsibility of social workers and policy makers to

address this situation and implement the most effective intervention strategies.

FACTS OF THE ISSUE

The age when a child’s chances of being adopted decrease 1

The percent of children who aged-out of

foster care that will become homeless 4

Child’s age + each yearin care = reduction in odds of adoption 3

The average age of children in foster care 2

Homeless, ex-foster care children will be arrested 4

of Americans

have considered adopting 4

By analyzing each of these devastating facts and their relationship with the barriers that disrupt adolescent adopts, social workers and policy makers can gain an in-depth understanding of the

issues and how the proposed interventions can assist in increasing adolescent adoption.

BARRIERS

Age a child can opt out of

adoption 1

Adoptee 5

vs.

Adopter 6 & 7

Lose connection to birth family

Issues with adoptive family

Processing & adjustment is too

difficult

Not feelingequipped to handle

an adolescent

Lack of finances &

support

Policies that unevenlydistribute aid and attention among age groups 1 & 7

Behavior & psycho/social

issues

Mismatching of adoptees and

adopters 6 & 7

INTERVENTIONS

Summer RobinsonDecember 2015SOC 326 – Dr. Scott Smith

EducationRecruitment

Policies

Modify adoption waivers 1

Agency Incentives to encourage adolescent adoptions 1 & 7

Youth Involvement and Consent in processes 1

Accessible Services that are Geared toward

adolescent adoption 6 & 7

Utilize current knowledge about what works and what problems are likely to arise 5

Pre and post adoption consulting for both parties 5

Advocate for adolescents by empowering them 1

Competency assessments: youth’s needs= adopter’s

strengths 4, 5, & 6

Marketing techniques: films/social media, community involvement, and incentives 1, 4, & 6

Adults who are involved in youth’s life: family member or foster parent 1 & 4

Citations

1. Groh, A. (2009). It's Time to Make Older Child Adoption a Reality. North American Council on Adoptable Children.

2. The AFCARS Report. (2015, July 1). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb

3. Barth, R. (1997). Effects of Age and Race on the Odds of Adoption versus Remaining in Long-Term Out-of-Home Care. Child Welfare League of

America, 76(2), 284-289. Retrieved November 24, 2015, from ProQuest.

4. Cowan, A. (2004). New Strategies to Promote the Adoption of Older Children Out of Foster Care. Children and Youth Services Review, 26,

1007-1020. Retrieved November 24, 2015, from www.sciencedirect.com

5. Wright, L., & Flynn, C. (2005). Adolescent Adoption: Success despite Challenges. Children and Youth Services Review, 28, 487-510. Retrieved

November 24, 2015, from www.sciencedirect.com

6. Brind, K. (2008). An Exploration of Adopters' Views Regarding Children's Ages at the Time of Placement. Child & Family Social Work, 13(3),

319-328.

7. Dhami, M., Mandel, D., & Sothmann, K. (2007). An evaluation of post-adoption services. Children And Youth Services Review, 29(2), 162-179.

8. Sanchez-Sandoval, Y., & Palacios, J. (2012). Stress in adoptive parents of adolescents. Children And Youth Services Review, 34(7), 1283-1289.