The purpose of this guide is to support adoptive and foster families by strengthening the abilities of pediatricians to: 1) identify traumatized children, 2) educate families about toxic stress and the possible biological, behavioral, and social manifestations of early childhood trauma, and 3) empower families to respond to their child’s behavior in a manner that… [read more]

This New Jersey guide serves as a useful tool to assist you through the transition into adulthood. The information in this guide outlines resources as well as people who are available and willing to help you plan for your future. Ultimately, we want you to reach adulthood successfully!

What’s Inside: • Talking with children about the changes • Helping children understand their histories and losses • Helping children cope with trauma and loss • Helping children transfer attachments • Conclusion • Resources Published by: Child Welfare Information Gateway Children’s Bureau/ACYF 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW Eighth Floor Washington, DC 20024 800.394.3366 Email: info@childwelfare.gov https://www.childwelfare.gov

WHAT’S INSIDE Who must be included in the home studyAgency or person conducting the study Qualifications for adoptive parents Elements of a home study Grounds for withholding approvalWhen studies must be completed Postplacement study requirements Exceptions for stepparent or relative adoptionsRequirements for interjurisdictional placementsFoster to adopt placementsSummaries of State lawsTo find statute information for a… [read more]

NJ ARCH has created a useful handbook to help you with your adoptionneeds. This easy-to-read 34-page handbook covers issues in adoption including: lifelong adoption, behavioral and developmental needs, and adoption resources. To view and print an electronic, PDF version of this handbook, please click on the handbook cover to the left. If you would like to request… [read more]

This booklet covers expenses common to most adoptions, expenses unique to the various types of adoption, financial assistance for adoption and post-adoption expenses, and tax breaks available to adoptive parents.

As discussion of the adoption process becomes more open and accepted in American society, and as more Americans have experience with adoption, there is also more attention focused on those involved in adoption—the adopted person, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents (often referred to as the adoption triad or the adoption constellation). This fact… [read more]

Adoptive parenthood, like other types of parenthood, can bring tremendous joy—and a  sizable amount of stress. This fact sheet explores some of the emotional ups and downs that adoptive parents may experience as they approach the decision to adopt, during the adoptive process, and most importantly, after the adoption.

This fact sheet discusses some of the emotional issues that parents may face after making the decision to place an infant for adoption, in surrendering the child, and in handling the feelings that often persist afterwards. It may be a helpful resource for birth parents as well as family members, friends, and others who want… [read more]

In Loving Arms Most babies, children and youth have traumatic experiences before going to live with their grandparents, aunts, uncles or other relatives in grandfamilies.  More than half of children involved with the child welfare system have experienced at least four adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), leaving them 12 times more likely to have negative health outcomes than… [read more]