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November 2017Vol. 18, No. 8November Is National Adoption Month

According to Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System data, in 2015 there were over 12,000 youth between the ages of 15 and 18 in foster care waiting to find permanent homes. Too often, teens age out of foster care with little to no stable support system or family. This year's National Adoption Month is focused on identifying and preparing families for teenagers. Building capacity at the local level is essential to providing teens with the best chance of identifying a permanent family.

The National Adoption Month 2017 website features tools and resources aimed at increasing the adoption of older youth currently in foster care. The website includes a section dedicated to providing adoption- and permanency-related resources and tips for families, including families considering adoption and families who have adopted. The website also supports child welfare professionals in preparing families for adoption and talking with older youth who may feel they are too old to be adopted. Youth, families, and professionals can also visit the website to do the following:

  • Watch and listen to personal stories and share examples of older youth in foster care finding permanent families through adoption
  • Learn ways to help involve, support, and empower older youth in foster care to prepare and plan for their future
  • Read the tip sheet Talking With Older Youth About Adoption for help talking with older youth about adoption and the importance of family

National Adoption Month, funded each November by the Children's Bureau, is a partnership between AdoptUSKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Visit the National Adoption Month website throughout November and beyond at https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/adoption/nam/?utm_source=november&utm_medium=cbx&utm_content=home&utm_campaign=NAM17.