Adoption should be considered as a last resort, after all other efforts at family preservation and subsidized kinship placement (or subsidized guardianship) have proven unsuccessful. In those cases where adoptive placement is sought, placement decisions should reflect a careful consideration of the long-term developmental impact on the child, including careful considerations of race and culture.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Assessing the Field of Post-Adoption Services: Family Needs, Program Models and Evaluation Issues A Summary Report By Deborah Gibbs, Kristin Siebenaler, and Richard Barth Published by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services November 2002 Click here to download complete document (PDF file - 112 pages).
AFRICAN AMERICAN ADOPTION AGENCIES
The organizations listed below are African American adoption agencies that have a proven track record for effectively working with African American children and families. While there may be challenges in adopting children across state lines, as well as across within-state jurisdictions, there are no laws that prevent the adoption of children across geographic boundaries or jurisdictions. Please feel free to contact any of these agencies, as they are more than willing to serve you. In the case that you don't find an agency within your state, you may either contact the agency within the state closest to you, or contact us for more information about adoption opportunities in your state.
Homes for Black Children
511 E. Larned Detroit, Michigan 48207 Phone: (313) 961-4777
Institute for Black Parenting - California Main Office: 1299 E. Artesia Boulevard Carson, California 90746 Phone: (310) 900-0930
Institute for Black Parenting - Louisiana Louisiana Adoption and Foster Care Agency 10001 Lake Forest Blvd., Suite 311 New Orleans, Louisiana 70127 Toll Free Phone: 1 (866) 245-4427 Phone: (504) 245-9386
Roots Adoption Agency 1777 Phoenix Parkway, Suite 108 Atlanta, GA 30349 Phone: (770) 907-7770 Fax: (770) 907-7726
Another Choice for Black Children 2340 Beatties Ford Road Charlotte, NC 28216 Phone: (704) 394-1124 Fax: (704) 394-3843
Mississippi Families for Kids
620 North State Street Suite 304 Jackson, MS 39202 Phone: (601) 360-0591 Toll Free Phone: 1 (800) 241-5437 Fax: (601) 360-0593
ADOPTION DATA... A BRIEF OVERVIEW African American Children WAITING to be Adopted
(Note:Waiting children are identified as children who have a goal of adoption and/or whose parental rights have been terminated. Children 16 years old and older whose parental rights have been terminated and who have a goal of emancipation have been excluded from the estimate.)
According to the most recent estimates published by the Children's Bureau, approximately 126,000 children were waiting to be adopted from the foster care system as of September 30, 2001..
Approximately 56,306 (45%) of these children waiting to be adopted from the foster care system were African American (non-Hispanic).
Approximately 42,913 (34%) of these children waiting to be adopted were White (non-Hispanic).
Approximately 15,253 (12%) of these children waiting to be adopted were Hispanic (some of whom may also be African American).
The remaining 9% of the children waiting to be adopted were Asian, American Indian / Alaskan-Native, Hawaiian / Pacific Islander, of mixed race, or of unknown race-ethnicity.
Additional Note:
According to Children’s Bureau estimates…
Approximately 64,717 African American children were waiting to be adopted on September 30, 1998.
Approximately 53,791 African American children were waiting to be adopted on September 30, 1999.
Approximately 56,195 African American children were waiting to be adopted on September 30, 2000.
African American Children Adopted
According to the most recent estimates published by the Children’s Bureau, approximately 50,000 children were adopted during FY 2001.
Approximately 17,606 (35%) of these children adopted were African American (non-Hispanic).
Approximately 19,139 (38%) of these children adopted were White (non-Hispanic).
Approximately 8,033 (16%) of these children adopted were Hispanic (some of whom may also be African American).
The remaining 11% of the children adopted were Asian, American Indian / Alaskan-Native, Hawaiian / Pacific Islander, of mixed race, or of unknown race-ethnicity.
Additional Note:
According to Children’s Bureau estimates…
Approximately 16,423 African American children were adopted during Fiscal Year 1998.
Approximately 20,618 African American children were adopted during Fiscal Year 1999.
Approximately 19,659 African American children were adopted during Fiscal Year 2000.
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