Facts
Myths
ASAP Program
Transracial Adoptions
History
100
There are more Caucasian children waiting to be adopted rather than African American or Hispanic.
-43% Caucasian
-22% African American
-22% Hispanic
100
All of the children adopted are mentally, physically or emotionally unstable. Why is this a myth?
-There is a small percentage of children in the foster care system who do have medical problems, disabilities, or more severe emotional needs, however this is the not the norm
-Many of the children experience some emotional difficulties related to loss and abandonment, and it may be difficult for them to develop trust when they first meet new people. All of these issues are “normal” in response to the history they have had.
100
What age range can we accept?
3-years-old - 17-years-old
100
True or False: About 40% of all adoptions in the U.S. are transracial.
True! The majority of these are white parents adopting children of color
100
What month is National Adoption Month?
November
200
What percentage of adoptions are domestic adoptions?
45%
200
Adoptive parents and birth parents raise the child together. Why is this a myth?
The reality is that in an open adoption, both sets of parents do agree on some level of contact, but definitely not co-parenting or anything close to it. With many open adoptions, in-person visits happen no more than once or twice a year.
200
What does ASAP stand for?
Adoption Support & Preservation
200
What are some common issues transracial adoptees face?
Loss/detachment of cultural and racial identity, racial bias, parental colorblindness
200
What day is National Adoption Day?
The Saturday before Thanksgiving
300
What percentage of adoptees are adopted by relatives?
41%
300
The birth parents can take the child(ren) back. Why is this a myth?
Once the adoption is legally finalized, it is considered irrevocable, and the birth parents have no legal right to reclaim the child; Their rights have been terminated by a court, and the adoptive parents have become the child's legal parents
300
What part of the adoption process do we help with?
Post-adoption - we do not help the facilitation of client's becoming adopted
300
What are some of the best ways for parents to support transracial adoptees?
Proactive in educating themselves about race, openly discussing racial identity with their child, and providing a supportive environment that embraces the child's culture
300
What does the adoption symbol symbolize?
The birth family, the adopted family, and the child.
400
What is the average age of a child waiting to be adopted?
8-years-old
400
Open adoption is confusing for the children involved. Why is this a myth?
Open adoption allows children to better understand the different roles of their adoptive families and birth parents. In addition, they are usually much better able to understand and accept the reasons why their birth parents choose to place them for adoption in the first place.
400
What are unique issues that we work with?
Attachment, adjustment, interracial adoptions, understanding adoption identity/sense of self
400
What are some of the best ways for parents to support international adoptees?
Find ways for child to connect with their birth country's culture, provide positive role models of the same race and cultural background
400
What was adoption awareness month established?
Promoting foster care adoption, recruiting adoptive families, celebrating and supporting adoption, and reducing barriers
500
About how many children are living with at least one adoptive parent in the U.S.?
More than 1.2 million
500
Adoption isn't as tight a bond as the biological. Why is this a myth?
-Over 80% of parents were “NOT aggravated” with their adoption. This includes International Adoption, Foster Care, and Private Domestic Adoption.
-75% of parents reported the relationship with their child to be “very warm and close”
500
How is our ASAP program funded? Do client's need to pay to join our program?
We're funded through DCFS. Client's are able to enroll in our program for free
500
What are the top countries of origin for international adoptions?
Ukraine, China, South Korea, Colombia and India
500
Where and when did national adoption month start and when was it expanded?
"Adoption Week" started in Massachusetts in 1976 and expanded to a national month in 1995 when President Bill Clinton expanded it to raise awareness and support initiatives for adoption