Excitement, fear, anticipation, doubt. These are all feelings that may come up when considering adoption. Kids in care who are waiting for their “no matter what” families also experience these same feelings. The Children’s Bureau’s National Adoption Month campaign works to increase national awareness of adoption, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the foster care system, and emphasizes the value of youth engagement in finding a family of their own.
Thinking about how you can participate in National Adoption month? Here are some ideas!
If you’re considering adoption:
- Reach out to a family you know who has adopted or fostered to learn more about their experience.
- Sign up for the Coalition’s online newsletters to learn more about adoption.
- Connect with adoptive families online through social media, YouTube channels, or personal blogs to discuss any questions or thoughts you may have.
If you are an adoptive parent:
- Reach out to your agency and offer to meet with families to discuss your lived experience.
- Attend an adoptive parent connection group to offer your support to new adoptive parents. Or start your own group if you aren’t aware of any in your area.
- Post information about National Adoption Month on social media. An easy way to do this is by sharing the Coalition’s social media posts available on multiple platforms.
Recent statistics show that more than 33% of Americans consider adopting a child, but only 2% actually adopt. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “You don’t have to see the whole staircase in order to take the first step.” If you are interested in learning more about adoption, please visit our website or give us a call.
Recommended Resources
From the Champion Classrooms
- Conversation About Foster Care and Adoption: A Mom and Her Biological Daughter
- Let’s Talk: Preparing Your Home to Welcome a Child
From the Lending Library
Tip Sheets
- Is Building My Family Through Adoption Right for Me?
- Fact or Fiction: Dispelling Some of the Common Myths About Adoption
Inspiration & Hope From No Matter What Families
